One supernatural superhero on the Justice League is taking on a job that is uniquely suited to him and his skill set. This unfolds in a new DC Next Level series, which also revamps the hero in question. DC fans should not fear, however, as the new job is perfectly in keeping with their classic comic appearances.
The hero in question is Boston Brand, also known as Deadman. In life, Brand was a circus acrobat and a bit of a jerk, who was assassinated for unknown reasons. However, he was given a second chance at redemption (if not at life) by the goddess of karma and balance, Rama Kushna.
The classic DC Deadman comics featured Boston Brand bringing about justice by possessing people. However, The Deadman #1 by W. Maxwell Prince and Martin Morazzo, puts a new spin on the poltergeist paragon. Beyond revamping Brand’s powers slightly, the new series gives him a new job helping other souls as a sort of supernatural counselor/custodian.
Why Deadman is now a supernatural counselor
The opening scenes of The Deadman #1 show Boston Brand hanging around a hospital and taking on several cases. One involves putting the fear of Hell into a wicked man, who has been given a chance to reincarnate into a better person. Another has him helping a woman move on after her spirit got stuck after her body died. He also stops the spirit of one teenage girl, who is destined to have a miraculous recovery, from leaving her body before it is her time to die. Even off the clock, he spends more time talking to disturbed ghosts and bringing them peace than fighting supernatural threats.
This offers more variety than the sort of stories DC usually tells with Deadman. However, it also puts a new angle on just what Boston Brand does. This new job makes a bit more sense given his spectral status is due to a nominally Eastern goddess. While Rama Kushna is a fictional deity, her name, appearance, and domain evoke the Hindu religion. Given that, it makes sense that Deadman be just as devoted to safeguarding spiritual welfare as saving lives.
This distinction comes into play in a more action-packed way near the end of The Deadman #1. It is here, while bringing about one man’s just death, that Boston discovers a monster that is devouring souls rather than stealing them. This sets up the core conflict of the series, and introduces a new threat that could honestly endanger Boston Brand.
The Deadman #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
