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58th out of 111 books
—
116 voters
DC Universe Presents, Vol. 1: Deadman and the Challengers of the Unknown
As a part The New 52 event that started September 2011, it's the start of a new series spotlighting some of the DC Universe's super heroes. Volume 1 collects the first 8 issues in the DC Universe Presents title. The first five issues featuring Deadman and the last three featuring the Challengers of the Unknown.
Ever since he died and became Deadman, Boston Brand has served...more
Ever since he died and became Deadman, Boston Brand has served...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
November 28th 2012
by DC Comics
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DC Universe Presents doesn’t have a featured character. Instead, the series basically serves as a platform to reboot minor characters into DC’s New 52. This book contains the first eight issues of the series, five of which are dedicated to Deadman and three to the ‘Challengers of the Unknown.’
For me, this was very much a hot & cold experience. I thought Deadman’s five issues were pretty damn special. Poor Deadman is murdered, but instead of passing on to heaven or hell (or wherever), his pro...more
For me, this was very much a hot & cold experience. I thought Deadman’s five issues were pretty damn special. Poor Deadman is murdered, but instead of passing on to heaven or hell (or wherever), his pro...more
The first half of this collection covers Deadman's reboot. Having spent a short time 'helping' people by possessing their bodies, Deadman goes on a quest to discover the true intentions of Rama, the goddess responsible for his enslaved afterlife. The tale moves along at a decent enough pace, the art is very well done, and I really enjoyed this new take on the less than benevolent reasons for Deadman's creation, however, it was still a rather 3 star story.
Challengers of the Unknown gets an entire...more
Challengers of the Unknown gets an entire...more
I can't think of anything in recent memory that was as divisive among comic book fans than the DC New 52. For my part, I admit that there were a lot of aspects of it that I found hard to connect with. I would not, however, join in on the internet hate fest. I still picked up a few titles to see what was new in my favorite fictional multiverse. This book has two of the best revamps out of the entire relaunch.
With Deadman, the visual revamp is minimal: his pointed slippers are replaced with ordina...more
With Deadman, the visual revamp is minimal: his pointed slippers are replaced with ordina...more
The Deadman story was okay... I thought the beginning was pretty interesting and the end was alright, but issues three and four could have been combined without much loss. It just got too much dialogue. Speaking of too much dialogue, DiDio is back again to give us Challengers of the Unknown. I really wanted to like this one, but it was boring and stupid. It turns an old team of adventurers into a reality show because that's "cool" and makes sense to older people I guess. However; they just kind...more
There are two different arcs included - one for Deadman and one for Challengers of the Unknown. The Deadman arc really deserves four stars - it is well developed, with some fantastic sequences including a game of 20 questions on a metaphysical (and real) roller coaster, and a strong exploration of the character of Deadman.
Unfortunately, it's followed up by Challengers of the Unknown, which is a horrible take on the scientist team, posing them instead as a reality TV show, replete with character...more
Unfortunately, it's followed up by Challengers of the Unknown, which is a horrible take on the scientist team, posing them instead as a reality TV show, replete with character...more
Must say this at the start: "Deadman" and only Deadman gets the 4.
"Challengers": scrapes a 2 at best. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but it seemed by turns patchy and dull, didn't invoke any sense of being drawn from/a reboot of something notable, and overall didn't really feel like it was going anywhere. Having read other reviewers' comments, the source material is utterly obscure to a new reader. Lost interest very quickly. Next please.
Deadman, on the other hand, was highly enjoyable - l...more
"Challengers": scrapes a 2 at best. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but it seemed by turns patchy and dull, didn't invoke any sense of being drawn from/a reboot of something notable, and overall didn't really feel like it was going anywhere. Having read other reviewers' comments, the source material is utterly obscure to a new reader. Lost interest very quickly. Next please.
Deadman, on the other hand, was highly enjoyable - l...more
Writer and recipient of the 2006 New York Times Academic Librarian of the Year Award, Jenkins (director, library services, Coll. of Mount St. Joseph; Batman: The Dark Knight) presents an anthology that spotlights the lesser-known but no less captivating comics characters. This first volume collects a five-issue Deadman arc and a three-issue Challengers of the Unknown arc. Boston Brand is Deadman, the ghost of a trapeze artist bound by goddess Rama Kushna to perform quantum leaps into the body of...more
I got all excited when Aaron said this book included Deadman stories because I thought he was talking about Resurrection Man...go figure. In any case, I didn't care much for either storyline, although the Deadman arc was far superior. I liked a lot about the Deadman arc in theory, I just end up not really caring about the character a whole lot. The Challengers was laughable. I would love a comic about treasure-hunters, but this was all sorts of stupid, even if I appreciate the nod at social comm...more
I pretty much agree with what everyone else is saying about this collection:
The Deadman story is wonderful. Deep, philosophical, meaningful. Though provoking.
The Challengers of the Unknown story is dreadful. Vapid, vacuous, directionless. Instantly forgettable. I hope they never return to this storyline.
So, my rating is based solely on the Deadman story. Truly, it is the only reason to pick up this collection.
4/5
The Deadman story is wonderful. Deep, philosophical, meaningful. Though provoking.
The Challengers of the Unknown story is dreadful. Vapid, vacuous, directionless. Instantly forgettable. I hope they never return to this storyline.
So, my rating is based solely on the Deadman story. Truly, it is the only reason to pick up this collection.
4/5
If this only had the Deadman story in it, I would have given it a four.
I have hated how Deadman has been used and depicted in the New 52, so I went into this read expecting to hate it. Instead I found a deeply spiritual tale and one that was quite interesting.
Note to Mike: Nope, I won't be writing a review of this one...I have my reasons.
I have hated how Deadman has been used and depicted in the New 52, so I went into this read expecting to hate it. Instead I found a deeply spiritual tale and one that was quite interesting.
Note to Mike: Nope, I won't be writing a review of this one...I have my reasons.
The Deadman story was brilliant. Very character based and put a slightly different spin on his origin story. He should get his own series. Challengers was intriguing, turning a old hero team into a reality tv situation. A very good read.
Deadman is another DC character that until this I never had any exposure to but wish I did. its a great story line and some more great art.
I was uncomfortable with a couple of parts, but on the whole, it was a really enjoyable Deadman story.
Deadman's issues were great. I didn't care for the Challengers of the Unknown issues though.
the deadman story was great, the Challengers of the Unknown story poor.
I'd give a 4 to Deadman, but a 2 to Challengers of the Unknown.
The Deadman half is much better than the Challengers.
The first part, with Deadman, was really good. Almost like a Hellblazer-Lite. The Challengers of the Unknown part was not nearly so good. Episodes of a reality show? Really? And all the characters are so one-dimensional. In a way, that's good, because "Challengers" was never about the people; it was more about the amazing, other-worldly stuff they found and the weird places they went. And unfortunately, this version is missing that aspect.
Decent update of both properties. I'm a big fan of anthology books; so I hope we get more of DC U Presents.
I really enjoyed the Deadman run. For once a super hero learns a good lesson about himself and really has an internal conversion. The Challengers was also a fun, mysterious run. The reality TV spin was a good addition, and as with Deadman, I wanted more material to read when the book was done.
The first half (Deadman) gets 4/5, the second half (Challengers of the Unknown) barely gets two.
Nice to see DC trying to give some of its lesser characters a turn in the spotlight, but both stories are pretty bland and make the heroes either uninteresting or unlikable.
You are better off with reprints of the older, original stories.
You are better off with reprints of the older, original stories.
Wow...an existential comic book...who knew
May 21, 2013
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Paul Jenkins is a British comic book writer. He has had much success crossing over into the American comic book market. Primarily working for Marvel Comics, he has had a big part shaping the characters of the company over the past decade.
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