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Deadenders #1-3
Deadenders: Stealing the Sun
In this stylized book of mystery and science fiction, a drug-dealing car thief must discover the secret behind his visions in order to save the world. Twenty years after the devastating Cataclysm, society has been separated into sectors in which the rich are able to enjoy machine-generated weather and sunlight while the poor are forced to live an eternally dank and dark existence. Banished to the dismal Sector 5, the angst-ridden Beezer discovers that the corrupt city police are hunting him because of his experiential visions of a pre-apocalyptic world. Now Earth's reluctant savior must learn his true origin and the meaning of his visions before he is captured and killed.
104 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
10 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,798 books3,026 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 24, 2020
SUPER FAST REVIEW:
Probably the weakest Brubaker I’ve read but not bad. It may be my current stress and bad mood but I felt pretty meh towards this.
The story was pretty interesting and there were some cool strange elements to it if that makes sense. The characters weren’t very interesting and it is often more slow paced than most of Brubaker’s work. The art is alright but nothing great.
Overall it ain’t a bad read but it is probably the weakest of the things I’ve read by Brubaker, then again that’s a pretty high bar. I don’t think I’m bothered to read volume 2 but I don’t regret making this discount bin purchase at the comic shop.
3/5
Probably the weakest Brubaker I’ve read but not bad. It may be my current stress and bad mood but I felt pretty meh towards this.
The story was pretty interesting and there were some cool strange elements to it if that makes sense. The characters weren’t very interesting and it is often more slow paced than most of Brubaker’s work. The art is alright but nothing great.
Overall it ain’t a bad read but it is probably the weakest of the things I’ve read by Brubaker, then again that’s a pretty high bar. I don’t think I’m bothered to read volume 2 but I don’t regret making this discount bin purchase at the comic shop.
3/5
May 23, 2019
This was a long journey. And it felt like some TV soap opera. The story started low, local and grow bigger one step at the time. The main characters are good, but with their flaws and quirks to make them more relatable. The "villains" are two dimensional and despicable to make them more threatening to the story and disperse the doubts about them. All other characters just play their roles to make the world look real and lively.
So there is Bartholomew "Beezer" and his friends, in the poor outskirt of the great megacity, living their poor lives. But Beezer is not just a regular guy. He sees the flashbacks of the different world. The world before the cataclysm. And this combined with his high skill to get himself (and his friends) into trouble fuels the story, which goes far beyond all that. Deadenders comic is quite a slow reading. There is action, drama, romance, but it all takes its time. And it is definitely well written. I can't recommend this to people with low patience. This almost four hundred page is the whole story and you need to get through it to appreciate all of this. I admit I got issues to get started, but since it got under my skin, I enjoyed "the ride". The end is bit rushy and not so neat, but that happens to all series who got cancelled near the grand finale.
So there is Bartholomew "Beezer" and his friends, in the poor outskirt of the great megacity, living their poor lives. But Beezer is not just a regular guy. He sees the flashbacks of the different world. The world before the cataclysm. And this combined with his high skill to get himself (and his friends) into trouble fuels the story, which goes far beyond all that. Deadenders comic is quite a slow reading. There is action, drama, romance, but it all takes its time. And it is definitely well written. I can't recommend this to people with low patience. This almost four hundred page is the whole story and you need to get through it to appreciate all of this. I admit I got issues to get started, but since it got under my skin, I enjoyed "the ride". The end is bit rushy and not so neat, but that happens to all series who got cancelled near the grand finale.
July 22, 2012
If not for the rush job at the end (because it was cancelled) and the odd mish-mash, back-and-forth with genres, this could have been truly great. The post-apocalyptic world was interesting and well developed. Some of the weird sci-fi concepts were neat. The art was an interesting throwback style to Jack Kirby golden age styles mixed with some Archie Comics pieces. But the characterizations were often one-note and flat, and the main character was a grade-A douchebag that I couldn't connect with at all and constantly questioned why anyone ever even gave him the time of day.
This is a long read, but worth it if you like dystopian narratives and can get past some of the annoying characters.
This is a long read, but worth it if you like dystopian narratives and can get past some of the annoying characters.
June 15, 2021
taking place in a dystopian future 20 years after a 'cataclysm' forever changed the planet, deadenders revolves around beezer, a young drug dealer that's a bit of a headcase, and he just so happens to be able to have occasional visions and flashes of the way the world was and how things used to be. beezer's activities and visions attract the attention of all sorts of unsavory individuals, often putting his long-suffering girlfriend and friends in harm's way in the process. while it isn't effectively open using any and all means, deadenders is a charming tragic adventure that was criminally underestimated when previously published from vertigo a long time ago. brubaker's vision and the work of art of warren pleece are a brilliant match, deadenders actually holds up superbly also.
waiting for someone to make a movie out of it.
July 25, 2025
look i fw brubaker but i couldn’t get behind this the same way i got behind his later work (ik it’s criminal)
beezer is so unlikeable and as a certified wife lover that’s crazy work man ofc sophia would wanna switch it up if u been disrespecting her #feminist #sabrinacarpenter
the world building is mildly interesting, i’m also j not a huge sci-fi fan in general but i can see this being an alr film
given it was cancelled, a lot of it is rushed for sure. i still enjoyed it for what it was, liked the archie looking piece and the christmas issue at the end
3/5
beezer is so unlikeable and as a certified wife lover that’s crazy work man ofc sophia would wanna switch it up if u been disrespecting her #feminist #sabrinacarpenter
the world building is mildly interesting, i’m also j not a huge sci-fi fan in general but i can see this being an alr film
given it was cancelled, a lot of it is rushed for sure. i still enjoyed it for what it was, liked the archie looking piece and the christmas issue at the end
3/5
July 19, 2016
20 years ago, a mysterious "Cataclysm" wrecked the world, leaving it shrouded in a dirty gray mist devoid of sun/moon/starlight. The survivors have congregated into a megalopolis, with the privileged, affluent inner districts thriving in artificially generated sunlight and weather, while the poor and disadvantaged occupy ghettos in the oppressive, strictly-policed outer districts.
Deadenders' hero is Beezer, an outer-district teen just trying to have some fun with his friends while staying off the cops' radar. It's been a while since I've read a less likely hero. He's not a BAD guy, really, but he is incessantly whiny and magnificently self-centered and I pretty much never wanted to stop slapping him. Seriously unlikable.
Most of the book consists of episodic world-building. One zany teen adventure after another finds Beezer contending with cranky drug dealers, a shadowy government science agency, recurring relationship drama, and rampant poverty, all while introducing a sizable cast of characters and offering tantalizing glimpses of what happened during the Cataclysm. Archie and the teens of Riverdale High meets The Hunger Games.
Apparently Deadenders was abruptly canceled. Most of its plot is crammed into the last couple issues, as follows:
It's a shame it had to end so messily. Except for the ever-annoying main character (SLAP) there's a lot to offer here.
The class warfare reminded me of both Snowpiercer and The Hunger Games. The poor seem to exist not just for the cheap labor but also to give the wealthy and privileged someone to be superior to. If everyone were a millionaire then being a millionaire wouldn't be any fun.
Deadenders' hero is Beezer, an outer-district teen just trying to have some fun with his friends while staying off the cops' radar. It's been a while since I've read a less likely hero. He's not a BAD guy, really, but he is incessantly whiny and magnificently self-centered and I pretty much never wanted to stop slapping him. Seriously unlikable.
Most of the book consists of episodic world-building. One zany teen adventure after another finds Beezer contending with cranky drug dealers, a shadowy government science agency, recurring relationship drama, and rampant poverty, all while introducing a sizable cast of characters and offering tantalizing glimpses of what happened during the Cataclysm. Archie and the teens of Riverdale High meets The Hunger Games.
Apparently Deadenders was abruptly canceled. Most of its plot is crammed into the last couple issues, as follows:
It's a shame it had to end so messily. Except for the ever-annoying main character (SLAP) there's a lot to offer here.
The class warfare reminded me of both Snowpiercer and The Hunger Games. The poor seem to exist not just for the cheap labor but also to give the wealthy and privileged someone to be superior to. If everyone were a millionaire then being a millionaire wouldn't be any fun.
August 2, 2012
A dystopian coming of age story, kind of.
There's a lot to like here as Brubaker fully explores the depth of the relationships as the main character Beezer wanders around this dystopian world trying to discover the answer to the burning question of who he is, along the way Beezer experiences love, loss, drugs, and a variety of other troubles. Beyond the main character there is a fully fleshed out supporting cast (too many to name) and it explores the relationships between all of them, many of them start off as caricatures but as the story goes on most ( develop into real people, real teens just trying to live in this world.
Beyond these very personal stories, there's a lot of themes plugged in here, themes of socio-economic class conflict, scientific ethics, the social effects of drugs, revolutions, etc. And there's so much going on here, that honestly, a lot of it feels half-cooked on a larger scale and takes away from the personal stories being told here.
One last thing, is the last thing, the climax, the ending of the story is really, ridiculously rushed and it feels like it. There's a lot of narrative boxes used to tell you about events that are happening. It feels like the series got cut short and Brubaker had to rush the rest of the plot in the last 4 issues. While I didn't like the rushed ending, and I won't spoil anything here, but the epilogue left me wondering about it's meaning for a couple of days.
There's a lot to like here as Brubaker fully explores the depth of the relationships as the main character Beezer wanders around this dystopian world trying to discover the answer to the burning question of who he is, along the way Beezer experiences love, loss, drugs, and a variety of other troubles. Beyond the main character there is a fully fleshed out supporting cast (too many to name) and it explores the relationships between all of them, many of them start off as caricatures but as the story goes on most ( develop into real people, real teens just trying to live in this world.
Beyond these very personal stories, there's a lot of themes plugged in here, themes of socio-economic class conflict, scientific ethics, the social effects of drugs, revolutions, etc. And there's so much going on here, that honestly, a lot of it feels half-cooked on a larger scale and takes away from the personal stories being told here.
One last thing, is the last thing, the climax, the ending of the story is really, ridiculously rushed and it feels like it. There's a lot of narrative boxes used to tell you about events that are happening. It feels like the series got cut short and Brubaker had to rush the rest of the plot in the last 4 issues. While I didn't like the rushed ending, and I won't spoil anything here, but the epilogue left me wondering about it's meaning for a couple of days.
March 14, 2025
A metà strada tra racconto di fantascienza distopica e ritratto adolescenziale, la serie non riesce mai a trovare un’identità coerente. Tra la prima e la seconda mini saga, per esempio, sembra di leggere due serie diverse, sia per il genere (la prima gira intorno ad una rapina, mentre la seconda e’ una storia d’amore tossico) sia per la caratterizzazione del protagonista Breezer, che nella seconda e’ un viscido ingrato ed egocentrico, completamente diverso dal ragazzo che ha rischiato la vita per tentare di salvare il suo amico Jasper.
Anche l’aggiunta dei rivoluzionari/ribelli (con annesso pensiero politico uniformante abbastanza banale di Brubaker) negli ultimi tre numeri e’ pretestuosa e ai fin dei conti inutile nello sviluppo della conclusione. L’unico aspetto positivo e’ il plot twist su Anna, che si scopre essere una “spia” dei ribelli.
Anche il finale, in cui scopriamo che il mondo in realtà era un universo parallelo alla nostra realtà, e’ deboluccio.
I disegni di Warren Pleece (che avevo già incontrato in True Faith di Garth Ennis e già li non mi era piaciuto per niente) sono forse ancora peggio, tra espressioni facciali discutibili, anatomie rivedibili ed uso delle ombre leggero ma anche un po’ impreciso. Di certo non e’ aiutato da un coloring che durante la serie migliora ma senza mai raggiungere livelli apprezzabili.
In coda al volume e’ presente “Prez”, la prima storia scritta da Brubaker per la Vertigo, coi disegni di Eric Shanover.
E’ incentrata sul figlio di Prez che si mette in viaggio per scoprire di più sull’ipotetico padre. Si scopre invece PJ, questo il nome del protagonista, e’ nato da una realtà incestuosa (padre-figlia), ma continua a considerarsi “figlio” di Prez perché ne condivide la visione del mondo e le speranze. Molto bello il messaggio finale che ci ricorda che per migliorare/sistemare il mondo intorno a noi dobbiamo prima farlo con noi stessi.
Ad un certo punto vediamo una foto di Prez in compagnia di Sogno.
Anche l’aggiunta dei rivoluzionari/ribelli (con annesso pensiero politico uniformante abbastanza banale di Brubaker) negli ultimi tre numeri e’ pretestuosa e ai fin dei conti inutile nello sviluppo della conclusione. L’unico aspetto positivo e’ il plot twist su Anna, che si scopre essere una “spia” dei ribelli.
Anche il finale, in cui scopriamo che il mondo in realtà era un universo parallelo alla nostra realtà, e’ deboluccio.
I disegni di Warren Pleece (che avevo già incontrato in True Faith di Garth Ennis e già li non mi era piaciuto per niente) sono forse ancora peggio, tra espressioni facciali discutibili, anatomie rivedibili ed uso delle ombre leggero ma anche un po’ impreciso. Di certo non e’ aiutato da un coloring che durante la serie migliora ma senza mai raggiungere livelli apprezzabili.
In coda al volume e’ presente “Prez”, la prima storia scritta da Brubaker per la Vertigo, coi disegni di Eric Shanover.
E’ incentrata sul figlio di Prez che si mette in viaggio per scoprire di più sull’ipotetico padre. Si scopre invece PJ, questo il nome del protagonista, e’ nato da una realtà incestuosa (padre-figlia), ma continua a considerarsi “figlio” di Prez perché ne condivide la visione del mondo e le speranze. Molto bello il messaggio finale che ci ricorda che per migliorare/sistemare il mondo intorno a noi dobbiamo prima farlo con noi stessi.
Ad un certo punto vediamo una foto di Prez in compagnia di Sogno.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
As a fan of Ed Brubaker's later stuff, this appeared to be right up my alley. With a high-concept sci-fi element ('the cataclysm' has ruined the weather and for some reason forced people to live in different sectors) and an intriguing premise (Beezer has occasional visions of what life used to be like in his exact location), it was all set up to succeed! But... It doesn't. Or at least, not always.
The problem is that it's slow to get going and the story strands are so disparate at times that it's hard to conceive of it ever being meant to create a cohesive whole. In essence, there are 'episodes' that take place in Beezer's world but don't always move the story along. Meanwhile, Beezer as a character is annoying as hell for a majority of the book. It makes for a longwinded, occasionally frustrating experience. The world is mildly interesting but never fully explores why things are the way they are, or at least, not to the extent that you might want, with a lot of characters either receiving a back story where it isn't warranted or not delving deep enough into the people you do care about.
Even so, the story does eventually wrap up in a moderately satisfying way, it's just a shame that it takes so long to get there. Can't comment on the art as it served the story but I don't have enough knowledge to really know what makes a good artist compared to a bad one. It seemed good enough though!
The problem is that it's slow to get going and the story strands are so disparate at times that it's hard to conceive of it ever being meant to create a cohesive whole. In essence, there are 'episodes' that take place in Beezer's world but don't always move the story along. Meanwhile, Beezer as a character is annoying as hell for a majority of the book. It makes for a longwinded, occasionally frustrating experience. The world is mildly interesting but never fully explores why things are the way they are, or at least, not to the extent that you might want, with a lot of characters either receiving a back story where it isn't warranted or not delving deep enough into the people you do care about.
Even so, the story does eventually wrap up in a moderately satisfying way, it's just a shame that it takes so long to get there. Can't comment on the art as it served the story but I don't have enough knowledge to really know what makes a good artist compared to a bad one. It seemed good enough though!
July 22, 2025
Another great book from Ed Brubaker. This effort is Brubaker at his best; He takes familiar concepts and adds his own flavor to the story. He has done this with various genres with great success, and this book continues that standard of work. The story is a 'Metropolis' style tale of the haves and have-nots set in a 'post-cataclysm' society in deep decay. In this world lives a drug-dealing street urchin who has visions of a better world somewhere, but he has no idea what they mean. The protagonist goes looking for answers and, along the way, he deals with a Police state, dying friends, strange characters with hidden agendas, and race involving Vespa scooters. Add in elements of science fiction, alternate worlds, street battles, supernatural revelations and even a love story of sorts and one is left with an epic tale that unravels slowly but never loses my attention. The characters are all unique in this book, as are the events that form the narrative. This book is a new take on a time-tested story.
April 26, 2018
Not too bad. At first I wasn't digging it too much, because the main character was such a jerk. but by the second arc or so he really mellowed, and the secondary characters became more compelling too. the setting really reminded me of In Time or Hunger Games, standard dystopia stuff. the main mystery of the story was interesting, but was definitely not explained fully enough in the end. the ending was definitely the books biggest problem, it really didn't hold together. it went for enigmatic and ended up just frustrating. Oh well. it was a fun journey, that I read really quickly considering it's size. Ed Brubaker is one of my favorite writers but this was far from his best.
my favorite part was the "suspended between here and there" arc involving the main character Beemer and his girlfriend Sophie hiding out with an older man Daniel, who sells books. the strange love triangle that ensues was beautiful and interesting.
my favorite part was the "suspended between here and there" arc involving the main character Beemer and his girlfriend Sophie hiding out with an older man Daniel, who sells books. the strange love triangle that ensues was beautiful and interesting.
March 19, 2023
Ed Brubaker is one of my favourite writers and whilst this early career effort from the turn of the millennium has disparate story beats and elements that I enjoyed, the overall narrative arc didn't quite come together in a satisfactory fashion, for me.
I'm just not sure I buy where the story ends up considering where it started.
I do love the collaborative creative team's artwork throughout, especially the combined efforts of colourists Bjarne Hansen and Marguerite Van Cook, and the cover work by Philip Bond.
It's a light recommend for fans of dystopian sci-fi but when compared to some of Brubaker's later Noir crime fiction this isn't quite my jam.
I'm just not sure I buy where the story ends up considering where it started.
I do love the collaborative creative team's artwork throughout, especially the combined efforts of colourists Bjarne Hansen and Marguerite Van Cook, and the cover work by Philip Bond.
It's a light recommend for fans of dystopian sci-fi but when compared to some of Brubaker's later Noir crime fiction this isn't quite my jam.
September 12, 2024
Despite some definite weak points in the dialogue as well as some shoddy character building, this story is emotionally poignant, artistically stylish, and thoughtful in the construction of it's plot. The story starts as it seems, dropping us in the abortive drama and pettiness of a group of teenagers living after the end, what they know as "the cataclysm". From there its a slow crescendo into a sci-fi thriller playing with our understanding of space, time, and dreams. Though I can't say I gravitated to the characters as strongly as I would've liked, there was still a certain twinge of sadness when I closed the last page. Oh, there's also cool mod stuff.
November 16, 2019
Had Brubaker's name not appeared on the front of this collected volume, I may not have given this a chance.
Had I known how listless and lazy the story was, I may not have asked the cashier to ring it up.
Had I not paid convention prices for this, I may have scored it as one star.
This is nowhere near on par with his later working Marvel. Whether the flagging sales caused him to wrap up the story sooner than he had planned to, or he simply had no idea where this was going, this is no no good. Its meandering story just has no substance.
Had I known how listless and lazy the story was, I may not have asked the cashier to ring it up.
Had I not paid convention prices for this, I may have scored it as one star.
This is nowhere near on par with his later working Marvel. Whether the flagging sales caused him to wrap up the story sooner than he had planned to, or he simply had no idea where this was going, this is no no good. Its meandering story just has no substance.
May 12, 2022
This book just wasn't for me. I wasn't able to finish it as I just didn't care. I don't think Brubaker did enough to build this world. Ed Brubaker has done amazing things, but this book isn't one of them.
May 19, 2025
I just wasn't digging this one at all. It's very 90s Vertigo Comics. Everyone swears constantly, to the point where it almost borders on parody. The lead is SOOOOOOO morose and "daddy doesn't get me" that it was hard to take him seriously.
Just not my bag.
Just not my bag.
June 11, 2020
4.5 really
July 18, 2021
Closer to 1.5. I like the art, but the story went nowhere. Brubaker is an amazing author, but he clearly did not start his career as a master in the medium.
August 14, 2024
3.5 stars. This was back heavy plot-wise. The protagonist is not very likeable. But some of the other characters, mostly the females, are and the story itself was pretty good.
January 5, 2025
Gets off to a pretty uneven start, but within a few issues, it settles into its groove. Fun to watch Ed Brubaker start to become ED BRUBAKER.
January 30, 2025
I was slow to like this book but it soon seized my attention. The story and the characters kept me interested, and the art, tho a bit cartoony, was pretty good, especially Richard Cases' inks.
March 20, 2017
I'll never stop loving this book, and will never understand why it doesn't get more attention.
November 28, 2013
Thirteen years ago during the year 2000, Ed Brubaker and Warren Pleece put out a little book called Deadenders through Vertigo. It is a science fiction tale about a post-apocalyptic world where things went bad and during everyone’s daily life, things do not get much better than that. It lasted sixteen issues and told a complete over-arcing story with drama, action and paranoia.
The tale recounts the goings on of a guy named Beezer, who is a drug runner for the local dealer. He goes about his days hanging out with his friends, slinging pills and trying to hold onto his girlfriend. The strange thing is he keeps having flashes to what he thinks might be an alternate timeline, or the past or simply some sort of dream. He does not know anyone else that has what he has so he keeps silent about the visions until one day, he can do so no longer. He soon runs afoul of the science corp. that are looking to capture and use him for nefarious ends until he is let go by a Dr. Gagon. As the series winds down, Beezer comes to understand with the help of a girl named Anna just what happened to make the world the way it is and what his destiny in all of it ends up being.
Written by Ed Brubaker, the series is not something you expect to see from the author today as most of his work is more grounded in reality, crime, suspense and even a little horror. So to see a science fiction book from the writer is an intriguing item. The book started off a little slow, but soon gained traction as it moved on. The artwork by Warren Pleece seemed a little cartoonish at first and not a right fit as the book would have faired better with an artist who had a grittier feel. As the book moved along, it is hard to imagine it without Pleece’s art.
One of the bright spots in the book was the many characters that we were introduced to. They were written so well, that it almost seemed as if Beezer’s friends could be your friends and his problems – yours. The familiarity of the people in the book make you feel more invested in the story which is something that cannot be said for too many books. Beezer is an angry young man and reflects that pent up rage that everyone feels sometimes and where we hold it in, Beezer lets it out. Aside from the drug dealing, he could be the reader of the book as we can empathize with him and his problems.
There are a lot of great science fiction books that have been published over the years. Brubaker and Pleece created a nice, low-key story filled with all manner of action and intrigue, drama and suspense; filled with people that are all too human. All in all, a really great book that may have flown under the radar at the time, and even more so now, but is worth searching out for a completely riveting, long form story about a future that was never meant to be.
http://thetelltalemind.com/2013/11/07...
The tale recounts the goings on of a guy named Beezer, who is a drug runner for the local dealer. He goes about his days hanging out with his friends, slinging pills and trying to hold onto his girlfriend. The strange thing is he keeps having flashes to what he thinks might be an alternate timeline, or the past or simply some sort of dream. He does not know anyone else that has what he has so he keeps silent about the visions until one day, he can do so no longer. He soon runs afoul of the science corp. that are looking to capture and use him for nefarious ends until he is let go by a Dr. Gagon. As the series winds down, Beezer comes to understand with the help of a girl named Anna just what happened to make the world the way it is and what his destiny in all of it ends up being.
Written by Ed Brubaker, the series is not something you expect to see from the author today as most of his work is more grounded in reality, crime, suspense and even a little horror. So to see a science fiction book from the writer is an intriguing item. The book started off a little slow, but soon gained traction as it moved on. The artwork by Warren Pleece seemed a little cartoonish at first and not a right fit as the book would have faired better with an artist who had a grittier feel. As the book moved along, it is hard to imagine it without Pleece’s art.
One of the bright spots in the book was the many characters that we were introduced to. They were written so well, that it almost seemed as if Beezer’s friends could be your friends and his problems – yours. The familiarity of the people in the book make you feel more invested in the story which is something that cannot be said for too many books. Beezer is an angry young man and reflects that pent up rage that everyone feels sometimes and where we hold it in, Beezer lets it out. Aside from the drug dealing, he could be the reader of the book as we can empathize with him and his problems.
There are a lot of great science fiction books that have been published over the years. Brubaker and Pleece created a nice, low-key story filled with all manner of action and intrigue, drama and suspense; filled with people that are all too human. All in all, a really great book that may have flown under the radar at the time, and even more so now, but is worth searching out for a completely riveting, long form story about a future that was never meant to be.
http://thetelltalemind.com/2013/11/07...
July 27, 2011
Deadenders
Written by Ed Brubaker
Drawn by Warren Pleece
Published by DC: Vertigo
You'd think the post apocalypse would be played out by now. But despite some retread themes, Brubakers' deft handling of character and uncanny ability to describe youth culture makes for a fantastic and original comics series.
In New Bethlehem, blue skies, white clouds, and sunshine are a privilege provided only to the wealthy citizens of the inner sectors. In the outer sectors, the world has become one smog skied cityscape of brown haze. The how's and why's of this world are revealed, one by one as the main character explores why his fucked up life occasionally switches channels to a beautiful and happy version where the beach isn't a biohazard and corporate riot police don't murder your friends.
Generally comics about young people sound forced and fake, like moms trying to imitate mall talk. But Brubaker captures teen angst and scenester relationships with an authenticity that's unprecedented in comics (Daniel Clowes?). Deadenders plays like a post-modern reimagining of Fonz and the gang from Happy Days, or the R Rated version of Archie complete with drugs, sex, and the end of the world.
The excellent story is complemented well by Pleece's pencils. Inks and colors by Cameron Stewart and Bjarne Hansen conspicuously help build the dreary atmosphere punctuated by visions of what could be.
Sadly the series was cancelled after 16 issues, and the story that was paced so well for the first 12 or so, becomes noticeably rushed as Brubaker is forced to wrap up it up months earlier than intended.
Even worse, the Trade Paper Back "Stealing the Sun" only collects the first four issues of the series. #5-16 can be purchased online at mycomicshop.com for about $2 a piece.
I can't recommend reading the Trade Paperback alone. The first four issues are like the first chapter of an excellent mystery, you'd finish with more questions than answers and only be frustrated by not knowing the conclusion. Sadly this is one of those very good stories that are lost to the vast majority of readers due to the exigencies of comic book publishing.
Written by Ed Brubaker
Drawn by Warren Pleece
Published by DC: Vertigo
You'd think the post apocalypse would be played out by now. But despite some retread themes, Brubakers' deft handling of character and uncanny ability to describe youth culture makes for a fantastic and original comics series.
In New Bethlehem, blue skies, white clouds, and sunshine are a privilege provided only to the wealthy citizens of the inner sectors. In the outer sectors, the world has become one smog skied cityscape of brown haze. The how's and why's of this world are revealed, one by one as the main character explores why his fucked up life occasionally switches channels to a beautiful and happy version where the beach isn't a biohazard and corporate riot police don't murder your friends.
Generally comics about young people sound forced and fake, like moms trying to imitate mall talk. But Brubaker captures teen angst and scenester relationships with an authenticity that's unprecedented in comics (Daniel Clowes?). Deadenders plays like a post-modern reimagining of Fonz and the gang from Happy Days, or the R Rated version of Archie complete with drugs, sex, and the end of the world.
The excellent story is complemented well by Pleece's pencils. Inks and colors by Cameron Stewart and Bjarne Hansen conspicuously help build the dreary atmosphere punctuated by visions of what could be.
Sadly the series was cancelled after 16 issues, and the story that was paced so well for the first 12 or so, becomes noticeably rushed as Brubaker is forced to wrap up it up months earlier than intended.
Even worse, the Trade Paper Back "Stealing the Sun" only collects the first four issues of the series. #5-16 can be purchased online at mycomicshop.com for about $2 a piece.
I can't recommend reading the Trade Paperback alone. The first four issues are like the first chapter of an excellent mystery, you'd finish with more questions than answers and only be frustrated by not knowing the conclusion. Sadly this is one of those very good stories that are lost to the vast majority of readers due to the exigencies of comic book publishing.
February 27, 2013
Beezer lives in a world after the cataclysm, an event that no one really knows about and no one is quick to explain. Beezer lives in a tough sector and he does what he needs to to survive. This sometimes has a way of getting him into trouble with a large range of people including drug dealers and the police. Beezer also has the ability to see back to the peaceful, happy world before the cataclysm and there are groups of people who want to know more about that ability and they're willing to do anything to find out more.
I had a hard time with about the first third of the book because it felt like there were a lot of plot holes or questions that just weren't being answered. It was frustrating and it didn't feel like anything was going to be resolved. However, by about the second third, everything got a lot clearer and it just started to fall into place in a great way. I love this book! There's just so much that happens that makes it complex and different from other books that I've read. The art style is stellar and there are even moments where we see some mock-happy-go-lucky art in contrast. We also get several character perspectives and they all work to better layer the story. Some parts are definitely more young adult/adult so I would suggest this mainly for mature readers if we're looking at the teen ages.
I had a hard time with about the first third of the book because it felt like there were a lot of plot holes or questions that just weren't being answered. It was frustrating and it didn't feel like anything was going to be resolved. However, by about the second third, everything got a lot clearer and it just started to fall into place in a great way. I love this book! There's just so much that happens that makes it complex and different from other books that I've read. The art style is stellar and there are even moments where we see some mock-happy-go-lucky art in contrast. We also get several character perspectives and they all work to better layer the story. Some parts are definitely more young adult/adult so I would suggest this mainly for mature readers if we're looking at the teen ages.
August 17, 2016
"Deadenders" by Ed Brubaker is ambitious post-apocalyptic novel in which we'll meet characters that are trying to cope with the "Cataclysm". As in most such plots, devices of storytelling are more or less predictable, but the most important thing are the characters. Brubaker is always on his turf when the characterization is involved, and in "Deadenders" it's also the case.
Beezer is small-time dealer who is obnoxious because he really don't know what to do with his life. Of course, as the novel goes on, he'll find himself in an impossible situation. He could be responsible for the Cataclysm that was, maybe he could stop the one that is yet to come, and maybe it's all just a figment of his imagination and insanity? What is what and who is who? To find that out, you'll have to read the novel.
It's good, but it has potential to be even better. That potential is not fully explored. I had a feeling that Brubaker hurried the writing process toward the end and that some things which should've been clearer and more developed were just mentioned and used as plot devices. However, I would recommend "Deadenders" to genre fans. All the others should think about it, but there is always a possibility that they'll find it too long and tiresome.
Beezer is small-time dealer who is obnoxious because he really don't know what to do with his life. Of course, as the novel goes on, he'll find himself in an impossible situation. He could be responsible for the Cataclysm that was, maybe he could stop the one that is yet to come, and maybe it's all just a figment of his imagination and insanity? What is what and who is who? To find that out, you'll have to read the novel.
It's good, but it has potential to be even better. That potential is not fully explored. I had a feeling that Brubaker hurried the writing process toward the end and that some things which should've been clearer and more developed were just mentioned and used as plot devices. However, I would recommend "Deadenders" to genre fans. All the others should think about it, but there is always a possibility that they'll find it too long and tiresome.
August 18, 2015
It took me months to get through this one trade. Nothing about this book engaged me at all. I did not enjoy the story, or the art. I'm normally a big sucker for any post-apocalypse storyline, but the world being created here didn't interest me in the least. I can not think of one redeeming quality. If it weren't simply a comic book, I can guarantee you I never would have finished it.
I feel like apologizing for reviewing it, I hate it so much. Normally I would want to clearly offer a critique of what I felt was missing, or explain why I didn't enjoy the story, or the art, or whatever. I can't do that here. I just... I just hate it. Looking at it's cover to my left makes me want to never read again.
Surely this probably someone's favourite book. Possibly, in their mind, the pinnacle of Brubaker's work. I can't imagine how. But if that person is you, I'm sorry. I hate your favourite book, and we'll have to agree to disagree.
I feel like apologizing for reviewing it, I hate it so much. Normally I would want to clearly offer a critique of what I felt was missing, or explain why I didn't enjoy the story, or the art, or whatever. I can't do that here. I just... I just hate it. Looking at it's cover to my left makes me want to never read again.
Surely this probably someone's favourite book. Possibly, in their mind, the pinnacle of Brubaker's work. I can't imagine how. But if that person is you, I'm sorry. I hate your favourite book, and we'll have to agree to disagree.
June 28, 2012
This is the complete 16 issue post apocalyptic series collected in its entirety. DC Comics/Vertigo in the past had collected the first 4 issues. I bought this collection because I there were gaps of content I hadn't read between issues 5-9. I loved the Warren Pleece interior art along side the covers by Phillip Bond, I genuinely enjoyed this series, but I do think the ending was a tad bit disappointing. I bet editorial forced the ending due to the cancellation of the series rather than the creators stopping at the exact point they intended.
July 7, 2012
Pretty good. A strange archive of sorts between two Brubakers, as it really digs into the "unlikable protagonist with various healthy and unhealthy relationships" well that you find a lot of in his indie work, with some of the bigger, more concise ideas he would soon be known for.
The story starts rocketing near the conclusion, a necessity, considering it was cancelled, and the ideas, the bigs ones that he had, all come at once. There's some great ones in there, without the space to breathe, but all in all, pretty great.
The story starts rocketing near the conclusion, a necessity, considering it was cancelled, and the ideas, the bigs ones that he had, all come at once. There's some great ones in there, without the space to breathe, but all in all, pretty great.
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