Comic Review: DCeased (2019-) #6

DCeased (2019-) #6

DC Comics

Writer: Tom Taylor

Artists: Trevor Hairsine & Neil Edwards

Full disclosure, DCeased #5 made me cry. It wasn’t full-on sobbing, but enough that I could’ve been cutting onions. That’s not the first time it’s happened to me reading comics, probably won’t be the last either. But I just want to frame my mindset heading into this last issue of DCeased. I’ll try and avoid them, but be wary, ye who enter here, for there be SPOILERS afoot. Maybe.

DCeased #6 picks up right away from where we left it. Superman, the Man of Steel and Earth’s greatest hero is the latest to be infected. The surviving heroes begin to load as many survivors on their arks as they can, knowing Superman can destroy them in an instant. Utilizing a piece of kryptonite, Wonder Woman, Cyborg and Black Canary (now a Green Lantern) face Superman, to give the others time to escape Earth.

If you were thinking Tom Taylor would pump the brakes in this issue, you’re dead wrong. It’s basically a big last stand of Earth, and we definitely continue to lose more heroes. I won’t say specifically who, but there’s a few. I don’t have too many problems with the story, and the way it’s ending. There’s really nothing thrown in here for shock value, and it all fits in with the story and the characters. My main problem is with a certain police force of the space variety taking forever to show up. I admit I don’t know how fast they can travel, but I don’t think it takes a month to get to Earth. 

The art, as with this whole series, is fantastic as always. Trevor Hairsine is behind a good chunk of this issue, with Neil Edwards having his own sizeable chunk throughout. Credit where it’s due, the inking by Stefano Gaudiano, and the coloring by Rain Beredo add to the bleak tone this issue carries. There’s a good amount of action and blood, as a story like this should have. But there’s also emotion coming from the characters. There are a few moments that made me pause and just “wow” at the art.

On top of the story being as good as it is, I think Tom Taylor also set up a great world where legacy characters take the spotlight. It’s in a very bleak, depressing way, but I can see it happening if this world gets another visit. There have been some slow parts along the way, but I think this issue sticks the landing for what is a good story. There’s an ending, but it’s far from happy, and there’s no deus ex machina happening. I think people will be happy with this final issue, I know I am. But maybe keep some tissues around.