‘DCeased: Dead Planet’ by Writer Tom Taylor Debuts This June! Magic Will Save Everyone?

I will be honest. I wasn’t a fan of Tom Taylor’s DCeased miniseries. But then the three-issue DCeased: Unkillables began and I was hooked! So, of course, I’m looking forward to reading what Taylor has planned for DCeased: Dead Planet.

For those who might not know, the DCeased storyline from Taylor featured a very dark narrative where iconic heroes were unable to successfully fight off the Anti-Life Equation. If you’re into seeing superheroes and villains being infected and going on a killing spree, DCeased is for you.

DCeased: Dead Planet will take place five years later from where the first story ended things. A new generation of superheroes have formed another Justice League and they decide to go back to the Earth they left to help potential survivors. I know it sounds like a bad plan, but I’m here for it!

According to an interview Taylor did with The Hollywood Reporter, fans can look forward to seeing familiar faces including the queer characters Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and John Constantine. Also, Constantine will have a “continuing story” involving him and other magic users such as Zatanna and Doctor Fate.

Now, one of the reasons I didn’t enjoy reading DCeased was because it left out any mention of Raven. Couldn’t she have easily teleported certain infected beings into another realm to save people? Also, if Raven does get infected by the Anti-Life Equation will she turn mad and summon Trigon to Earth?

Raven, due to her powers, is a weird character for certain comic book writers to handle. I remember how in the highly-successful Dark Nights: Metal event, the Batman Who Laughs didn’t infect her even though he decided to put her teammates under his control.

Hurting Raven too much or having her be under someone else’s influence opens the door to her losing control and wreaking havoc. Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is a very recent example of that.

So, most comic book writers decide not to have her be part of their stories. It’s kind of similar to how the Demiurge-to-be Wiccan is ignored during a lot of the major events occurring in Marvel comics. It’s weird. But understandable.

Anyway, coming back to what Taylor said about magic playing a role in DCeased: Dead Planet, I look forward to seeing which magical characters end up playing a role.

The new Justice League is being led by Damian Wayne (as the new Batman) while Jon Kent is the new Superman. Cassie Sandmark is the new Wonder Woman. Mera, Wallace, Black Canary, and Black Lightning (with his daughters) survived, too. 

I have to say that Damian and Jon look way older in the comic book cover, especially considering the story takes place five years after when we last saw them as kids.

Along with Taylor, the creative team for DCeased: Dead Planet Issue 1 includes Trevor Hairsine, Stefano Guadiano, and Gigi Baldissini.

Taylor got me to care about Suicide Squad again (due to his current run). He does have a grasp on the characters, especially when they are fighting for their lives. So, of course, I’ll be reading and reviewing DCeased: Dead Planet.

The first issue will be available on June 30, 2020. The previous release date was June 10, 2020.

DCeased: Unkillables Issue 3 will be out on May 19, 2020.

Feel free to share your thoughts.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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