SPOILERS AHEAD!
Initial Thoughts
Deadman #5 takes us to a future where neither Heaven nor Hell exists, and everyone on Earth lives in purgatory. Writer W. Maxwell Prince finally ties all the threads together in the arc's final issue, Deadman #6. Deadman and Bobby feel like they're on the ropes as the mysterious Mr. M confronts our heroes, with his soul eaters right behind him, ready to grab a snack. The finale for this arc is set up, and Deadman #5 does a great job building tension as the fate of Heaven, Hell, and Earth hangs in the balance.
I think this was the best issue in the series so far. The combination of the plotting and art makes this one not only one of the most memorable issues of the series so far, but one of the best of the year, at least for me. Prince’s thoughts and interpretation of Karma, the afterlife, and spirituality hit me on every level. Telling this gigantic story, in what has become a self-contained adventure between Deadman and his associates, has given life to a character who had been on the bench too long. I'm glad Deadman is back in the spotlight, with a great story to reinvigorate the character.
The Set Up was Phenomenal
As for setup, this did everything it could to prepare us for this very exciting arc’s finale. Prince tied the angles together perfectly, from Deadman floating through oblivion and finding purpose to landing us at our antagonist’s doorstep, with a still-unanswered Bobby plotline; it all came together before the arc’s finale. The cliffhanger Prince left us on feels earned, as we have traveled through Heaven and Hell to this point in the story. It wasn’t an easy jump from point A to point B; it was a well-thought-out, plotted, and paced story about someone trying to find their place in the universe. Who can’t relate to that?
There is still so much to figure out, which makes me extremely excited for the next issue and beyond. I don’t think this is the end of Mr. M, the main antagonist of this series so far, but it might be a good point to move on for a bit before we inevitably see him again at the very end of the series. Not only was this a setup issue, but it also left us at a point where the entire next issue will focus on the fight between our heroes and the big bad. All 32 pages will be dedicated to the finale.
Life is a Purgatory
This glimpse into a future taken over by the “master,” or Mr. M, as he was named in previous issues, essentially closes Heaven and Hell for business. Souls have nowhere to go but sit as appetizers, waiting for the Anti-Krishna soul Mr. M unleashed on Earth to throw the entire afterlife ecosystem's balance off. Prince’s continued reshaping of the afterlife has fascinated me to no end, which is why I have gravitated toward this series more than most.
I like how Prince framed the first arc's premise: a world where Karma doesn't exist, and there are no spiritual consequences for your actions on Earth in the afterlife. The reader can take that as religious or not. Using the word “Karma” lets Prince avoid alienating readers who don't necessarily buy into the idea of “spiritual consequences.” The bedrock of this entire series is how Prince makes us think about leaving a legacy on this earth, all while using the DC universe and characters. It's almost like not knowing you are eating vegetables because the steak is so good. You may not look forward to the vegetable portion of the steak dinner, but it's the healthiest and most necessary part of the meal.
Martin Morazzo’s Art is as Flexible as it Comes
Martin Morazzo’s art is incredibly flexible and adapts to wherever this story goes. Morazzo’s art can look just as Cyberpunk as it does Heavenly, or anything else writer W. Maxwell Prince throws his way, and it's been extraordinary. In this issue, Morazzo was tasked with building a cold, plastic, synthetic world that lacks energy and life, and he succeeded. The world's lack of life makes the characters stand out in a saintly way. Phantom… er.. Photon Stranger POPS when he appears. Chris O’Halloran’s coloring adds to the POP and gives these characters a mystic feel.
I think his Swamp Thing design is extremely unique and one of my favorite revamps of a favorite comic book character of all time. The concept that the Green still lives within a plastic world through fiber-optic wiring is genius. Prince’s unique way of continuing to introduce other DC characters into this world has been great, and Morazzo’s ability to draw whatever Prince throws his way has been masterful. If you could only show one issue to a friend to get them into this series for the art, show them Deadman #5. It's so complete and versatile that it will undoubtedly get someone into this series and start from the beginning.
Final Thoughts
Deadman #5 perfectly sets up the end of our first arc in this series, and the best part of the cliffhanger is that we don't know where the story goes next. We have been to Heaven, Hell, and in this issue we visited a future where souls couldn't escape the Purgatory that is Earth. Visually, as bleak as the world feels, the art makes it feel beautiful. Deadman has found his purpose, and he takes the title of custodian seriously, even though it can sometimes have a negative connotation. He can't guarantee we'll never reach the future he witnessed firsthand if Mr. M has his way.