The Earth-One Index
Deadman
 
Strange Adventures #205, Oct. 1967
Cover:  Carmine Infantino
  STORY
 "Who Has Been Lying In My Grave?"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Jack Miller
Writer:  Arnold Drake
Penciller:  Carmine Infantino
Inker:  George Roussos
 Feature Character
Deadman (Boston Brand; first appearance; origin; dies in this story but continues existence as a ghost)
 Supporting Characters
Lorna Hill (first appearance; last name revealed in issue #212)
Tiny (first appearance)
Vashnu (first appearance; next appears in issue #209)
Rama Kushna (a spirit; first appearance)
 Villains
The Hook (first appearance; appearance not revealed in this story; real name never revealed; next appears in issue #210)
Ramsey (name revealed in next issue) and Heldrich (first and only appearance for both)
 Other Characters
Lena (spelled Lina in this story; first appearance)
Major Mite and Toby the Clown (first appearance for both)
Leary (first appearance)
Other members of Hills Brothers Circus (first appearance for all)
 Comments
This is the first Deadman story.
According to issue #209, Deadman is murdered on September 10th.  Thus, this story takes place September 10th and 11th of the year when it happens.
 Synopsis
 After circus acrobat Boston Brand, aka Deadman, is killed during his act by a hook-handed sniper with a high-powered rifle, his ghost remains earthbound.  Rama Kushna, the spirit of the universe, tells Deadman that he will have the power to walk among men until he finds his murderer.  Deadman soon finds that he has the power to enter and control living people's bodies.  Taking over the body of Tiny, the circus strongman, he breaks up a dope-smuggling racket within the show and then begins his search for his killer.

Strange Adventures #206
November 1967
Cover:  Mike Sekowsky / George Roussos
 STORY
 "An Eye For An Eye"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor, scripter:  Jack Miller
Plotter:  Carmine Infantino
Penciller:  Neal Adams
Inker:  George Roussos
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Rama Kushna (as the voices of owls)
Lorna Hill and Tiny (both next appear in issue #208)
 Villain
Morty (a motorcycle hood; first and only appearance)
 Other Characters
Jeff Carling (first and only appearance)
Magda and the Sons of Satan motorcycle club (first and only appearance for all)
Martia (first and only appearance)
Lenny Deane (in flashback; first appearance; dies in flashback)
 Cameo appearances
The Hook (hand and hook appear in this story), Toby the Clown, Vashnu, Heldrich, and Ramsey (all in flashbacks)
 Comment
 Even though Jeff Carling is described as Lorna's brother in this story, the fact that Lorna's last name is Hill (as revealed in issue #212) implies that Jeff is really her stepbrother.
 Synopsis
 Jeff Carling, Lorna's half-brother and part-owner of Hill's Brothers Circus, insured Boston Brand's life for $10,000 before Brand's recent demise, and, against Lorna's wishes, takes the money from the safe to make a blackmail payment to Morty, the leader of Jeff's motorcycle club.  Jeff undertook a contract to kill another gang boy, Lenny Deane, and Morty is blackmailing Jeff with a photo of him holding the rifle which he used to shoot at Deane.  Initially, Deadman suspects Jeff of engineering his murder to pay off Morty.  But he discards that theory, discovers that the gun Jeff used wasn't capable of making the shot that killed Deane, and brings Morty to justice for the killing.

Strange Adventures #207
December 1967
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "What Makes a Corpse Cry?"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor, scripter:  Jack Miller
Plotter:  Carmine Infantino
Artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Hills Brothers Circus
 Villains
Rocky Manzel and his gang (including Mitch; first and only appearance for all)
 Other Characters
Liz Martin and Paul (first and only appearance for both)
 Cameo appearances
Rama Kushna, Tiny (in flashback)
 Synopsis
 Hills Brothers Circus leaves town, and Deadman remains behind to check out another lead to his killing:  Rocky Manzel, the thuggish owner of a discotheque called The Freak-Out.  Some time before his murder, Boston Brand had befriended Liz Martin, a singer at the discotheque, and gotten into a fight with the jealous Rocky.  After beating Manzel, Brand promised to come back and help Liz out of Rocky's clutches.  Before that could happen, he got killed.
 Deadman returns to The Freak-Out and uses the body of Paul, a bartender, to expose a counterfeiting operation Manzel is running.  However, he learns that Manzel was in the hospital at the time of Boston Brand's murder.  After seeing that Liz is safe with Paul and intending to marry him, Deadman returns to the search for his murderer.

Strange Adventures #208
January 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "How Many Times Can a Guy Die?"
 Part 1 (8 pages)
 Part 2 (9 pages)
 Credits
Editor, scripter:  Jack Miller
Plotter:  Carmine Infantino
Artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Lorna Hill and Tiny (both last seen in issue #206)
 Villain
Eagle (first appearance)
 Other Characters
Lena, Major Mite, Leary, and other members of Hills Brothers Circus (most in flashback; Charlie named in this story)
 Cameo appearance
Rama Kushna (in flashback)
 Comment
This story is continued in the next issue.
 Synopsis
 Sometime before his murder, Boston Brand had a brief association with an arrogant trapeze artist / acrobat called Eagle, who had initially been hired by Lorna to help hype their show in St. Louis.  But the rehearsals led to Eagle's attempted murder of Brand, a terrible fight between the two aerialists, and Eagle being kicked off the show by Brand.  Eagle swore to get revenge on Brand.  Now, Deadman thinks that Eagle could be his killer.
 Much to his chagrin, Deadman discovers that Lorna has hired Eagle as the circus's new aerialist.  When Eagle puts the moves on Lorna, Deadman inhabits Tiny's body and knocks Eagle down.  A remark Eagle then makes about Brand being dead, just as he had warned him, leads Deadman to believe that Eagle is truly his killer.

Strange Adventures #209
February 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "How Many Times Can a Guy Die?"
 Part 3 (8 pages)
 Part 4 (15 pages)
 Credits
Editor, scripter:  Jack Miller
Plotter:  Carmine Infantino
Artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Lorna Hill and Tiny (both next appear in issue #212)
Vashnu (last seen in issue #205; next appears in issue #212)
Members of Hills Brothers Circus (next appear in issue #212)
 Villains
Eagle (last appearance)
Eagle's gang (Mike and another crook; first and only appearance for both)
 Other Characters
Pete (a roustabout; first and only appearance)
 Comment
This story continues from the last issue.
 Synopsis
 Using the body of Pete, a roustabout, Deadman discovers that Eagle and a pair of crooks are staging jewel heists from skyscraper offices using Eagle's acrobatic talents.  Unforunately, Deadman (in Pete's body) is discovered, and the gang chases him onto a Ferris wheel.  Eagle and Deadman (as Pete) have a deadly hand-to-hand fight that climaxes with Eagle throwing Pete from the top car of the Ferris wheel, but Deadman enters Tiny's body and uses it to catch Pete safely.  Eagle and his gang are arrested by the police, who arrive just in time to save Tiny, Pete, Lorna, and other circus people from being shot to death by the three crooks.  While talking with a policeman, Deadman (in Tiny's body) learns that Eagle staged another robbery on the West Coast on September 10th.  Since that was the day he was shot, Deadman knows that Eagle cannot be his killer.

Strange Adventures #210
March 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "Hide and Seek"  (13 pages)
 Credits
Editor, writer:  Jack Miller
Artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Villain
The Hook (alias, Roy Martin, revealed in this story; face not revealed; last seen in issue #205; next appears in issue #212)
 Other Characters
Det. Michael Riley and a police lieutenant (first appearance for both)
Peter Bones (first appearance; dies in this story)
A police sergeant and other policemen (first and only appearance for all)
An unnamed thief (in flashback; first and only appearance)
 Cameo appearance
Rama Kushna (in flashback)
 Comment
Deadman's thought balloon on page 2, panel 6, indicates that he was killed at 2:00.  This is unlikely, as the murder is depicted in issue #205 is shown happening at night, ruling out a 2 P.M. killing, and a circus, which often caters to an audience with a high proportion of children, would not stage Boston Brand's act as late as 2 A.M., even on a Saturday.
This issue also includes a one-page ad for next issue's story, drawn by Neal Adams.
 Synopsis
 Deadman seeks to learn what has happened to the police detective assigned to his case.  He discovers that the detective, Michael Riley, has been falsely accused of brutally beating a thief who had already surrendered to him, and has been kicked off the force.  Deadman, learning the accusers were ex-boxer Peter Bones and a hook-handed man named "Roy Martin", suspects Martin of being the Hook and staging the frame-up to get Riley off his trail.
 Deadman enters Riley's body, confronts Bones, and learns that the ex-pugilist agreed to give false testimony along with "Martin" in exchange for money to buy feed for his pet pigeons, the only companions he has left.  Deadman / Riley leaves to phone the police to pick up Bones and to apprehend the Hook, who is still living nearby.  But in the interim, the Hook beats Bones to death with a crowbar and flees.  A travel folder for Mexico found in the Hook's apartment indicates his destination.  Riley is restored to his post as police detective, but Deadman has once again failed to find his killer.

Strange Adventures #211
April 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "How Close To Me My Killer?"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor, writer:  Jack Miller
Artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Cleveland Brand (Deadman's twin brother; first appearance)
Lita Brand (Cleveland Brand's daughter and Deadman's niece; first appearance)
 Villains
Alf Jackson, Orry Kane, and other members of Jackson's gang (one of whom dies in this story; first and only appearance for all)
Two hoods (in flashback; first and only appearance for both)
 Other Characters
Mrs. Brand (Deadman's and Cleveland's mother; in flashback; first and only appearance)
Det. Michael Riley and the police lieutenant (last appearance for both)
Illegal Mexican immigrants (first and only appearance for all)
Jose (an employee of Cleveland's; first and only appearance)
Texans at a civic community dinner (first and only appearance for all)
 Comments
 The death of Cleveland Brand's wife (Lita's mother) is revealed in this story, though she is never named.
 Synopsis
 Deadman follows the Hook's trail to El Campo, Mexico, where he is astonished to discover his twin brother Cleveland Brand running a hotel there, along with Cleve's daughter Lita.  Unknown to Lita, Cleve is making extra money by helping wealthy Texas rancher Alf Jackson run a wetback operation, illegally ferrying cheap labor across the Rio Grande.  When U.S. and Mexican authorities learn of the operation, Jackson orders Cleve and his aide Orry Kane to take the unsuspecting laborers back to the Rio Grande and sink the boats, drowning them and thus removing any evidence of Jackson's wrongdoing.  At first, Cleveland agrees, but, when he is on the Rio Grande, finds himself unable to commit such a crime.  Deadman then enters Cleve's body and helps him and the Mexicans defeat Kane and Jackson's gangsters.  Later, Cleve tells Lita he only wishes Boston could see him now.  Deadman, hovering invisibly over him, remarks that Cleve would be surprised...but that he still has not located the Hook.

Strange Adventures #212
June 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 FIRST STORY
 "The Fatal Call of Vengeance"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Dick Giordano
Writer, artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Cleveland Brand (next appears in Brave and the Bold #86)
Lita Brand (next appears in Adventure Comics #459)
Lorna Hill (name revealed in this story; last seen in issue #209)
Tiny, Vashnu, and members of Hills Brothers Circus (all last seen in issue #209)
 Villains
The Hook (face not revealed; last seen in issue #210)
Kleigman (first appearance; dies in this story)
Varna (first and only appearance)
 Comment
Although Tiny is apparently shot to death in this story, it is revealed in the next issue that he is only gravely wounded.
 Synopsis
 After helping bring Alf Jackson's gang to justice, Cleveland Brand decides to help smoke out his brother's murderer by impersonating Boston in Hills Brothers Circus, much to Deadman's unseen consternation.  The Hook, learning that Boston Brand is now "alive", returns to America and, thinking Cleveland Brand is really his brother Boston, tries to kill him "again".  First, he bribes Varna, the female aide to lion tamer Kleigman, into drugging a lion into a frenzy and trapping Cleveland Brand in its cage.  Deadman enters Cleveland's body and barely saves his life, though Varna is herself badly wounded by the lion and reveals her part in the plot to Cleve.  Kleigman himself is paid to tie a hook on the stump of his own arm, having lost his hand to a lion, and masquerade as the Hook.  A figure in Deadman's costume sees Kleigman with the Hook, grabs him, and beats the truth out of him.  The Hook then shoots Kleigman and his attacker, killing Kleigman, and makes a getaway.  Seconds later, Lorna, Cleve, and other circus members (and an unseen Deadman) unmask the "Deadman" figure, who proves to be Tiny, critically wounded by the Hook's bullet.
 

Strange Adventures #213
July-August 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 FIRST STORY
 "The Call From Beyond"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Dick Giordano
Writer, artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman (next appears in Brave and the Bold #79)
 Supporting Characters
Tiny (next appears in Phantom Stranger #39)
Lorna Hill and members of Hills Brothers Circus (all next appear in Brave and the Bold #86)
Vashnu
 Villains
Madam Pegeen and her gang (first and only appearance for all)
 Other Characters
Dr. Shasti and his son Sammy (first and only appearance for both)
Dr. Clate, Walt (also called "Wally"), and other doctors (first and only appearance for all)
Diane (Walt's sister; no appearance, but impersonated by one of Madam Pegeen's gang; dies before this story begins; first and only appearance to date)
 Comment
 In this issue we learn that Vashnu comes from Kardona, apparently a city in India, and that he is a famed mystic there.
 Synopsis
 When he learns that Tiny has not been killed, only seriously wounded, Deadman inhabits Tiny's body and merges with the deepest part of his being in order to enable him to fight back from the very edge of death.  Vashnu sits by Tiny's bedside and prays for his recovery.  Tiny's surgeon, Dr. Shasti, is also from India and recognizes Vashnu as a famous mystic.  Vashnu's presence and Tiny's miraculous recovery convince Shasti that the supernatural is involved...which, ironically, it is.
 Dr. Shasti is also involved in psychic research and is attempting to get a grant for $1,500,000 for a group of "researchers" who, unknown to Shasti, are fakes, in cahoots with phony medium Madam Pegeen.  Deadman investigates and helps Shasti and his son expose Madam Pegeen and her gang.  His job done, Deadman wonders how to take up the trail of the Hook again.

Brave and the Bold #79
August-September 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "The Track of the Hook"  (24 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer:  Bob Haney
Artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in DETECTIVE COMICS #377; next appears in ACTION COMICS #365)
Deadman (between Strange Adventures #213 and 214)
 Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon (last seen in WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #176; next appears in BATMAN #204)
Alfred Pennyworth (last seen in SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #111; next appears in BATMAN #205)
 Villains
Carleton K. "Kubla" Kaine (alias "The King"; first appearance; dies in this story) and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Max Chill (Joe Chill's brother), Whitey Marsh, The Paymaster (first appearance for all; all die in this story)
Big Jim Coltrane and Jack LeSabre (no appearance; named only; first and only appearance for both)
 Other Characters
Willie Pigeon, Edward T. Weeks, Bill Rawls, and two photographers (first and only appearance for all)
 Cameo appearances
Lorna Hill, Tiny, members of Hills Brothers Circus, and Rama Kushna (in flashback)
 Synopsis
 Deadman, having come to Gotham City to try to enlist Batman to find his murderer, arrives in time to see the Caped Crusader brush off the "routine" murder of Whitey Marsh, a stool pigeon, killed by one "Monk Manville" at the behest of "The King", the mysterious ruler of Gotham's underworld.  Deadman is enraged at Batman's attitude, feeling that all murders should be investigated.  After coming into conflict with him through a body he has inhabited, Deadman later takes over Batman's body, learns his secret identity, and dictates into a tape recorder the story of his own murder and his desire for Batman's aid.  Batman agrees to help.
 In the course of the investigation, Batman learns that "Monk Manville" is really Max Chill, the triggerman brother of Joe Chill, who killed Batman's parents and was in turn killed by his gang in vengeance for having created crimedom's nemesis.  Max Chill, who has vowed revenge, is crushed by falling slot machines during a fight in a warehouse with Batman.  With his dying breath, Chiill reveals information that leads Batman and Deadman to "The King" himself, Gotham newspaper magnate Carleton K. Kaine.  Kaine is accidentally killed by one of his gang's bullets while fighting Batman.  Batman bids adieu to the unseen Deadman, promising to help him if he can at a later date.  Deadman inhabits Batman's body long enough to write a farewell message to his friend with Batman's own hand.
 

Strange Adventures #214
September-October 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "To Haunt a Killer"  (23 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Dick Giordano
Writer:  Robert Kanigher
Artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman (last seen in Brave and the Bold #79)
 Villains
Phil, "The Boss", Irene, and Charlie (first appearance for all; all die in this story)
Willie Smith (first appearance; name revealed in next issue)
 Other Characters
Fred Ames (first appearance; dies in this story)
Mrs. Fred Ames and her son (first and only appearance for both)
Mr. Ames (Fred Ames's father; first appearance)
Ruth, a policeman, and a "pigeon" (first and only appearance for all)
The Zoriastors (an acrobatic team)
 Cameo appearance
Rama Kushna (in flashback)
 Comment
This story is continued in the next issue.
 Synopsis
 Deadman encounters an engaged couple, Ruth and Phil, watching a circus performance in Madison Square Garden.  He takes over Phil's body for a while, intending to abandon his quest and enjoy human life again.  However, he gives up the effort after a few days and exits Phil's body, and, to his horror, sees Phil coldly gun down Fred Ames, a man the Mob has marked for death.  Deadman soon learns that Phil, unknown to Ruth, is a professional killer.  To bring him to justice, Deadman takes over the body of Fred Ames's father, a "man of 1,000 faces", and uses makeup to impersonate Fred Ames.  He appears again and again in Phil's sight, until goading him into attempting murder again in the presence of police.  After Ames is apprehended, one "officer" takes Phil aside and kills him, quickly shedding his disguise and getting away.

Strange Adventures #215
November-December 1968
Cover:  Neal Adams
 FIRST STORY
 "A New Lease On Death"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Dick Giordano
Writer, artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Vashnu (revealed in next issue; last seen in issue #213)
Rama Kushna (last seen in issue #206)
 Villains
The Hook (appearance revealed in this story; last seen in issue #212; dies in this story)
The Sensei (first appearance)
Willie Smith
The Society of Assassins (first appearance)
Phil (as a corpse; last appearance)
 Other Characters
Mr. Ames (last appearance)
"Homer Dobbs" (first and only appearance)
 Comments
This story is continued in the next issue.
 Synopsis
 Deadman trails Willie Smith, the assassin who killed Phil, to Hong Kong, where Willie (and Deadman) finally meet the Hook, Deadman's killer.  Willie captures the Hook after a quick chase, and brings him to the secret headquarters of the Society of Assassins to face trial before their leader, the Sensei.  Deadman learns, in the course of the trial, that he was only killed as an exercise to certify the Hook's "graduation" into the Society.  Ironically, he was successful, but Cleveland Brand's masquerade as Deadman has convinced both the Hook and the Society that he has failed, and a second try also failed.  Thus, the Sensei declares the Hook a failure, and, in a martial-arts duel, kills him.  Deadman, during the fight, tries to take over the Sensei's body and discovers he cannot enter it.
 Left alone with the Hook, Deadman breaks into hysterical laughter, feeling that he is trapped in a mad dream.  Then the voice of Rama Kushna intrudes, asking if a balance has been struck.  Deadman reluctantly admits that it must have been, since Hook "paid for his crime one way or another."  Rama Kushna then tells Deadman that he has "satisfaction", and "Fate has come full circle!"  At that, Deadman angrily shouts that he has no satisfaction, that justice has not been done, and asks Rama Kushna if his "gift" was an eternity of frustration.  But the spirit does not answer back, and the only "audience" the screaming Deadman has is the body of the Hook.

Strange Adventures #216
January-February 1969
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "But I Still Exist"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Dick Giordano
Writer, artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman (next appears in Brave and the Bold #86)
 Supporting Characters
Vashnu and Rama Kushna (both next appear in Brave and the Bold #86)
Taj Ze (first appearance; next appears in Brave and the Bold #86)
 Villains
The Hook (as a corpse; last appearance)
The Sensei, Willie Smith, and the Society of Assassins (all next appear in Brave and the Bold #86)
Lotus (first appearance; next appears in Brave and the Bold #86)
 Comments
This story continues in Brave and the Bold #86.
The vapor-rays on page 13, panel 7, spell out the words "HEY, A JIM STERANKO EFFECT".
The Society of Assassins is revealed in Justice League of America #94 to be part of Ra's Al Ghul's Demonfang organization, which may also be allied with Inter-Gang.
 Synopsis
 Deadman exits the Society of Assassins' headquarters and encounters Vashnu, to his great surprise.  He inhabits Vashnu's body, reads a scroll in his hands, and learns of the existence of Nanda Parbat, a paradise on Earth.  After saving Vashnu from a pair of the Sensei's killers, he trails them back inside the Society's headquarters and hears the Sensei order Willie Smith to board a plane and destroy Nanda Parbat with a laser weapon.
 Deadman accompanies Smith, inhabits the body of the plane's pilot, and, while they are over the part of the Himalayas which contains Nanda Parbat, engages him in battle.  A pistol shot punctures a window, and Smith is sucked outside by the outrush.
Deadman leaves the plane with the pilot, who turns back without harming Nanda Parbat.
 Deadman descends towards Nanda Parbat, which proves to be a Shangri-La of sorts, and, unexpectedly, materializes into human form, making a hard landing without his ghostly powers.  He encounters Taj Ze, the massive, sword-wielding guardian of the realm, and Lotus, a beautiful Asian woman who shows him the cave in which Rama Kushna resides.  Deadman wins a test of entrance with Taj Ze and enters, to confront his guardian spirit.
 Rama Kushna, in the cave, hears Deadman's plea and his demand to be allowed to return to the outside world, that he may help redress the imbalance of evil.  Rama agrees, and Deadman is allowed to leave and begin his mission anew.  At the exit to Nanda Parbat, Deadman is stopped by Lotus, who wishes to leave, but fears that her former nature, which was quite evil, will corrupt her again.  She wishes to remain in Deadman's company, for safekeeping.  But Deadman refuses, exiting and becoming a ghost again in the outside world.
 Lotus sobs behind him for a few seconds, until Willie Smith appears, yanks her past the boundary of Nanda Parbat, and watches as an evil smile fills her lovely face.
 
Brave and the Bold #86
October-November 1969
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "You Can't Hide From a Deadman"  (23 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer:  Bob Haney
Artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Characters
Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #122, or Deadman #1; see comment below)
Deadman (last seen in Strange Adventures #216; next appears in Aquaman #50, but see Comment below)
 Guest Star
Robin (between DETECTIVE COMICS #391 (Robin story) / 392)
 Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon (last seen in DETECTIVE COMICS #390; next appears in BATMAN #219)
Lorna Hill (last seen in Strange Adventures #213; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #39, but see Comment below)
Cleveland Brand (last seen in Strange Adventures #212; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #39, or Deadman #1; see Comment below)
Vashnu (last seen in Strange Adventures #216; next appears in Challengers of the Unknown #74; see Comment below)
Taj Ze and Rama Kushna (both last seen in Strange Adventures #216; both next appear in Aquaman #50, but see Comment below)
 Villains
The Sensei (last seen in Strange Adventures #216; next appears in Justice League of America #94, or Deadman #1; see Comment below)
Willie Smith (last seen in Strange Adventures #216; last appearance)
Lotus (last seen in Strange Adventures #216; next appears in Deadman #1)
The Society of Assassins (next appear in Justice League of America #94, or Deadman #1; see Comment below)
Collins and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
 Comments
This story continues in part from Strange Adventures #216.
Deadman's continuity, in both the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths world of Earth-One, and the post-Crisis New Earth, is quite confused from this point on.  In the pre-Crisis world, Deadman's next appearance is his adventure with Aquaman in Aquaman #50-52.  But in the post-Crisis world, his adventure in this issue continues directly into Deadman #1-4, which resolves many of the issues dealt with in this story.  Couple this with the fact that many succeeding stories cannot be reconciled with either storyline--for instance, the "revelation" in Forever People #10 that Deadman wasn't "really" murdered by the Hook who died in Strange Adventures #215, or Deadman's inhabiting the body of Batman's "brother" Thomas Wayne in World's Finest Comics #223 and 227 in a storyline not considered canonical by this indexer or many others--and the job of tracing Deadman's career after this issue becomes problematic indeed.   We consider the Forever People and World's Finest Comics appearances, as well as Deadman's first appearance in Phantom Stranger, to be non-canonical.
 In this story, it is revealed that Vashnu knows of Boston Brand's ghostly identity as Deadman, and, of course, Cleveland Brand learns of it as well.
 Synopsis
 After Batman and Robin take out a small gang of extortionists, Robin grabs one of the gang's guns and attempts to shoot Batman.  Batman disarms his partner and finds Robin cannot remember what he has just done.  When Commissioner Gordon attempts a similar act, Batman takes to his heels, deducing that Deadman, his former ally, is somehow trying to kill him.  Several other bystanders on the street are inhabited by Deadman and attempt to do Batman harm, which he evades.  Finally, Batman confronts Deadman (who inhabits a pigeon keeper's body) and confronts him with the truth:  none of the people he has taken over really have a chance of harming Batman, and, if he wants to kill his old friend, he can easily jump into Batman's body and make him jump off a high building.  Confused, torn by conflicting impulses, Deadman screams in agony and exits the man's body.
 Batman goes to Hills Brothers Circus in search of an explanation, and is introduced to Cleveland Brand, who is once again impersonating Deadman and attempting a trapeze act.  Deadman inhabits his brother's body and tries to really put on a show, but misses a catch bar and is only saved by Batman.  Deadman is even more conflicted, admitting he cannot kill his brother's savior.  Vashnu suddenly appears and tells Batman and Deadman (in Cleve's body) that Rama Kushna orders Deadman back to Nanda Parbat.  Since Deadman is still under a compulsion to kill Batman, Batman agrees to go with him (and Cleve) to Nanda Parbat.
 Meanwhile, Willie Smith and Lotus report to the Sensei.  Smith tells the Sensei that he shot Deadman with a poison dart as the ghost was half-dematerialized.  The dart's poison made Deadman suggestible, and Smith was able to get him to reverse his sentiments about his friend Batman and his enemy the Sensei.  The Sensei reaffirms his desire to obliterate Nanda Parbat, thus removing the "refuge from evil" and increasing the chaos that will benefit the Society of Assassins.  He, Smith, and an armed contingent of the Society begin their journey to Nanda Parbat.
 Batman, Deadman, and Cleveland Brand enter Nanda Parbat.  Deadman materializes and collapses, his life endangered by the poison of Willie Smith's dart.  Rama Kushna appears to Batman and Cleve and tells them that one of the men approaching Nanda Parbat (Willie Smith) has the antidote.  The two allies use guerilla tactics to defeat the Society, with Batman knocking out Smith and taking the antidote from him.  The Sensei vows revenge on Batman and Deadman.  Batman administers the antidote to Deadman, who recovers in the presence of Batman and Cleve.  He admits to them that, since he can still be harmed within Nanda Parbat, he intends to return to the outside world and his ghostly existence.

Aquaman #50
March-April 1970
Cover:  Nick Cardy
 "Deadman Rides Again"  (9 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Dick Giordano
Writer, artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman (last seen in Brave and the Bold #86)
 Supporting Characters
Taj Ze (last seen in Brave and the Bold #86; last appearance)
Rama Kushna (last seen in Brave and the Bold #86; next appears in Brave and the Bold #104)
 Villains
Ocean Master and alien invaders (Pfall and Thhime named in this story; all last seen in the first story in this issue)
 Other Characters
Tatsinda (a "sddire"; name revealed in next issue)
 Cameo appearance
The Hook (in flashback)
 Comments
This story continues in part from Brave and the Bold #86, and continues from the Aquaman story in this issue.  It continues in the next issue.
 Synopsis
 Deadman is dispatched by Rama Kushna to a meeting between Ocean Master and a group of alien invaders from space.  Ocean Master tells the aliens that he has planted a certain device for them in return for them having Aquaman "eliminated."  Wishing to save Aquaman, Deadman inhabits Ocean Master's body, and manages to open up a mental blockage that has hitherto prevented the villain from remembering that he is Aquaman's brother.  Flooded with anguish that he may have caused his brother's death, Ocean Master goes to try and save him.  Deadman leaves to catch up with the aliens, who reveal in conversation that their devices will reduce the mental capacity of the human race by 25% and make them too stupid to resist invasion.
 Unfortunately for Deadman, the crew of the alien ship know about possession by "non-entities", and, once they sense his presence, employ a "rat-cat" whose hypnotic eyes drive him out of the body he occupies, disconcert him, and push him out of the Earth-plane.

Aquaman #51
May-June 1969
Cover:  Nick Cardy (signed)
Story: "The World Cannot Wait For a Deadman"  (8 pages)
Editor:  Dick Giordano
Writer, artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Villains
The riders of the Depth Crabs (first and only appearance)
The alien invaders
 Other Characters
Tatsinda (real name and appearance revealed in this story)
D'Ronal and Liana (Tatsinda's brother and sister; first and only appearance for both)
 Comments
This story continues from the Aquaman story in this issue and continues in next issue.
 Synopsis
 Deadman emerges in material form in another dimension, beside a beautiful girl named Tatsinda.  Tatsinda reveals that she was the "rat-cat", that this is her home dimension, and that she rode Deadman home after being the aliens' prisoner for two years.  Deadman meets Tatsinda's brother and sister and helps rescue them all from slavers who ride giant, hypnotic "death-crabs."  Tatsinda rewards Deadman with a kiss and then "rides" him back to the Earth dimension.

Aquaman #52
July-August 1969
Cover:  Nick Cardy (signed)
Story:  "Never Underestimate a Deadman"  (9 pages)
Editor:  Dick Giordano
Writer, artist:  Neal Adams
 Feature Characters
Deadman (next appears in Challengers of the Unknown #74)
 Guest appearances
Aquaman, Mera, and Vulko (appear isochronally with first story in this issue)
 Villains
Ocean Master (last seen in issue #50; next appears in TEEN TITANS #28)
Alien invaders (next appear in Teen Titans #29)
 Other Characters
Tatsinda (last appearance)
 Synopsis
 Tatsinda returns herself and Deadman to Earth, resuming her "rat-cat" form.  Deadman inhabits Ocean Master's body, consults with the aliens, and learns of their plans to ruin human minds by a quarter through a machine on their ship combined with four amplifiers buried in various locations on Earth.  They also tell him that Aquaman has been sent to a subatomic universe on his wife's ring.  Deadman uses Ocean Master's body to fight them, but they render Ocean Master's body unconscious and go into a collective trance, making it impossible for Deadman to enter them.  Nonetheless, Deadman is able to go to the locations of the four amplifiers and destroy them, using the bodies of animals.  Then, to get a pawn who can enter the aliens' subsea invasion craft and destroy the machine himself, he gets Mera to concentrate on bringing Aquaman back, and he is restored to his full size.
 But the task has taken too long, and the machine has gone off.  Fortunately, as Tatsinda explains, she went to the invasion craft and ripped out several cables, so that the only ones stupefied were the aliens.  The invasion craft leaves earth with a pretty stupid crew, and Tatsinda saunters off, reminding Deadman that young ladies of any shape don't like to be ignored, even in the face of global disaster.

Challengers of the Unknown #74
June-July 1970
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "To Call a Deadman"  (23 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer:  Denny O'Neil
Artists:  George Tuska (pages 1-16)
    Neal Adams (pages 17-23)
 Feature Characters
The Challengers of the Unknown (Red Ryan, Rocky Davis, Prof Haley, Ace ?, and Corrina Stark)
 Guest Stars
Deadman (last seen in Aquaman #52; next appears in Justice League of America #94)
Jonny Double (last seen in Showcase #78; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #418)
 Supporting Character
Vashnu (last seen in Brave and the Bold #86; next appears in Brave and the Bold #104)
 Villains
Seth Gross (first and only appearance; technically dies in this story)
Nodo (first and only appearance)
 Other Characters
Dr. McJames and his daughter (first and only appearance for both)
 Synopsis
 Seth Gross, a wicked magician, befriends Vashnu, learns the secret of astral projection, and steals from him a mystic box with the power to trap a soul.  He goes into ghost-form and uses the box on the daughter of scientist McJames, forcing him to attempt jewel robberies in return for the soul of the little girl, who will remain in suspended animation for some time.  Jonny Double and the Challengers of the Unknown become involved in the case, but it is Deadman who actually fights Gross, inhabits his spirit-form in a particularly painful process, and restores the little girl's soul to her body in time.  At that, Deadman exits Gross's ectoplasmic form, with Gross driven insane by the experience and unable to return to his body.

Justice League of America #94
November 1971
Cover:  Neal Adams
 STORY
 "Where Strikes Demonfang?"
 Credits
 Feature Characters
Justice League of America
 Guest Star
Deadman (last seen in Challengers of the Unknown #74; next appears  in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #104)
 Villains
The Sensei (last seen in Brave and the Bold #86; next appears in Phantom Stranger #39)
The Society of Assassins (last seen in Brave and the Bold #86; next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #485; called "Demonfang" in this story)
Merlyn the Magician (first appearance; next appears in Action Comics #443)
 Comment
This issue is fully indexed in the Justice League of America Index.

Brave and the Bold #104
November-December 1972
Cover:  Nick Cardy (signed)
 STORY
 "Second Chance For a Deadman?"  (24 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer:  Bob Haney
Artist, letterer:  Jim Aparo
 Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #214; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #429)
Deadman (last seen in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #94; next appearance in Phantom Stranger #39)
 Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon (last seen in DETECTIVE COMICS #428)
Vashnu (last seen in Challengers of the Unknown #70; next appears in Phantom Stranger #39)
Rama Kushna (last seen in Aquaman #50; next appears in DC Super-Stars #18)
 Villains
Lilly Lang (first appearance; dies in this story)
Richie Wandrus, Holt Granigan, and other criminals (first and only appearance for all)
Waxey Doyle (first appearance; dies in this story)
 Comments
Lilly Lang is obviously named for Lillie Langtry, famed British stage actress of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
This story is probably canonical.  However, Deadman's willingness to kill, even in a good cause, raises some doubt.
 Synopsis
 In order to get the goods on Lilly Lang and Richie Wandrus's face-and-identity-changing operation for crooks at their Florida spa hideaway, Batman summons Deadman to inhabit Richie's body and reconnoiter.  On the way, Rama Kushna uses Vashnu as a mouthpiece to warn Deadman that "a man, a spirit in love, may only gain his heart's desire by...losing it!  For is not love stronger than death itself?"
 While inhabiting Richie's body, Deadman falls in love with Lilly, and confesses his true identity to her.  She continues to love him, preferring Boston's personality to Richie's.  Batman also learns of Deadman's love affair with Lilly, and, at a climactic point, leaps between them, with both Deadman (in Richie's body) and Lilly holding guns, and Lilly threatening to kill Batman.  Deadman, wishing to save his friend, and interpreting Rama Kushna's remarks to mean that she will join him in phantom form after death, kills Lilly.  But, much to his agony, she fails to expel a ghost he can detect, and he rockets away from Richie's body, in tears.

Phantom Stranger #39
October-November 1975
Cover:  Jim Aparo (signed)
 FIRST STORY
 "Death Calls Twice For a Deadman"  (12 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Joe Orlando
Writer:  Paul Levitz
Artist:  Fred Carillo
 Feature Character
Phantom Stranger
 Guest Star
Deadman (last seen in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #104)
 Supporting Characters
Cleveland Brand and Lorna Hill (both last seen in Brave and the Bold #86; both next appear in Adventure Comics #459)
Vashnu (last seen in Brave and the Bold #104; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #459)
Tiny (last seen in Strange Adventures #213; next appears in Adventure Comics #459)
 Villain
The Sensei (last seen in Justice League of America #94; next appears in Detective Comics #485)
 Cameo appearances
Rama Kushna (as a statue)
The Hook and Batman (in flashbacks)
 Comment
This story is canonical, and does confirm that the Hook was indeed the murderer of Boston Brand and was killed by the Sensei.  Accordingly, the stories in Forever People #9 and 10, World's Finest Comics #223 and 227, and Phantom Stranger #33 can be disregarded as noncanonical and inaccurate.
 Synopsis
 Cleveland Brand, Tiny, and Lorna Hill are teleported from the Hills Brothers Circus to the lair of the Sensei, who explains to them that he must settle a "debt of honor" by killing them in combat, in revenge for Deadman's (and Batman's) causing him to kill the Hook, his prize pupil, and for frustrating their attempt to destroy Nanda Parbat.  However, the Phantom Stranger appears and engages the Sensei in a mystic duel.  The Sensei admits defeat, and grants the Stranger and Deadman's friends freedom, if they can achieve it.  The Stranger saves them from a deathtrap, and uses the Sensei's device to teleport them back to the circus.  The Sensei is already long gone by the time Deadman shows up in a borrowed body.

Phantom Stranger #40
Dec. 1975 / Jan. 1976
Cover:  Jim Aparo (signed)
 FIRST STORY
 "In the Kingdom of the Blind"  (12 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Joe Orlando
Writer:  Paul Levitz
Artist:  Fred Carillo
 Feature Character
Phantom Stranger
 Guest Star
Deadman
 Supporting Character
Cassandra Craft (last seen in ?)
Adam Shapiro (last seen in ?)
 Villains
Nathan Seine (last seen in ?)
A mystic monster (first appearance; dies in this story)
The Nether gods (last seen in ?)
 Other characters
A psychic and a teacher (first and only appearance for both)
 Synopsis
 Nathan Seine hopes to gain the power of one of the Nether Gods by creating a mystic monster which will leech power from persons with magic capacities and transfer the power to himself.  The monster attacks Cassandra Craft and the Phantom Stranger, within sight of Deadman.  Deadman takes over the body of an Indian psychic, distracts the monster, and makes it turn loose the Stranger and Cassandra to pursue him.  Freed, the Stranger is able to lure the monster onto an electric line, which causes it to explode.

Phantom Stranger #41
February-March 1976
Cover:  Jim Aparo
 FIRST STORY
 "A Time For Endings"  (12 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Joe Orlando
Writer:  Paul Levitz
Artist:  Fred Carillo
 Feature Characters
Phantom Stranger (next appears in ?)
Deadman (next appears in Brave and the Bold #133)
 Supporting Characters
Cassandra Craft (next appears in ?)
Fred Shapiro (dies in this story)
 Villains
Nathan Seine (dies in this story)
The Nether gods (last appearance)
 Cameo appearances
Margaret Seine (in flashback)
 Comments
This is the last issue of the second series of The Phantom Stranger.
The Phantom Stranger and Deadman share billing on this story.
 Synopsis
 Nathan Seine captures Cassandra Craft with his mystic powers and, with the aid of the Nether gods, regains his sight and intends to use her as bait for the Phantom Stranger.  When he sends her, unconscious, into the realm of the Nether gods, Seine gains great powers and enlarges into a demoniac giant.  However, Cassandra is able to telepath a plea for help to the Stranger and Deadman.  The two heroes battle and defeat Seine, though Fred Shapiro is killed during the battle.  Cassandra Craft is returned to the Earth-plane, and the Nether gods, tiring of the expense of power on Earth, decide to abandon their assault on that world--but not before they snatch and kill Nathan Seine.  Deadman is angered at the death of Fred Shapiro, whose body he was using at the time of Shapiro's death.  The Stranger transports himself and Cassandra away, leaving Deadman alone.

Brave and the Bold #133
April 1977
Cover:  Jim Aparo (signed)
 STORY
 "Another Kind of Justice"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Denny O'Neil
Writer:  Bob Haney
Artist, letterer:  Jim Aparo
 Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in DETECTIVE COMICS #458; next appears in BATMAN #286)
Deadman (last seen in Phantom Stranger #41; next appears in Lois Lane story in Superman Family #183)
 Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon (between BATMAN #285 / 286)
 Villains
Turk Bannion (first appearance; dies in this story, but returns as a ghost)
Achille Lazlo, Marius (first appearance for both; both die in this story)
Gassman and other members of a crime combine (first and only appearance for all)
 Comment
This story is probably canonical, although it stretches the imagination to think that Deadman could inhabit a painted portrait and make it speak.  Most likely, the ghost of Turk Bannion was around, giving him some added psychic power to pull off the stunt.
 Synopsis
 In 1933, crime-boss Turk Bannion was killed in secret by his top rum-runner, Achille Lazlo, who in the decades intervening has become top man in a crime combine and one of the biggest drug-smugglers around.  Batman, who suspects Lazlo of the crime, intends to frame him for Bannion's murder and have him tried by the crime combine heads.  Deadman is enlisted for the job.  By inhabiting crooks and even a painting of Bannion, Deadman makes it appear that Lazlo is indeed being haunted by Bannion.  The mob bosses conduct a trial aboard a ship outside U.S. coastal limits, but Batman lashes the wheel and brings it within legal range for the police.  Lazlo attempts an escape on a speedboat, but the real ghost of Bannion appears, steers the boat into a reef, and reveals himself to the dying Lazlo.

Superman Family #183
May-June 1977
Cover:  Neal Adams (signed) SIXTH STORY
 "The Day Lois Lane Walked All Over Superman"  (20 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Denny O'Neil
Writer:  Cary Bates
Penciller:  Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker:  Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #472)
GS: Superman (last appearance in Nightwing and Flamebird story in this issue; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #144), Deadman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #133; next appears in DC SUPER-STARS #18)
Supporting Character: Steve Lombard (last appearance in SUPERMAN #310; next appears in ACTION COMICS #471 (2))
 Villain
Dr. Predor (first and only appearance)
 Other Characters
Sharon and other psychics at the Metropolis Psychic Research Institute (first and only appearance for all)
Actresses from a drama school (first and only appearance for all)
 Synopsis
 Deadman witnesses a strange plot by Dr. Predor, the head of a "psychic institute":  he uses a "psychic displacer" of his own invention to switch spirits with Superman.  With Predor's own body in a machine-induced sleep-state, his spirit is free to use Superman's body, but his inexperience at wielding such great power overwhelms him.  Superman takes advantage of Lois's measurably great psychic power to telepath messages to her, which results in the two of them cooking up a scheme that gets Superman's and Predor's spirits back in their rightful bodies.  Deadman admits he could have lent a hand, but says that Lois and Superman did fine by themselves.

DC Super-Stars #18
January / February 1978
Cover:  Jim Aparo (signed)
 STORY
 "Hour of the Demon"  (Chapter 1; 17 pages)
 Chapter 2:  "Wraiths in the Rain" (12 pages)
Chapter 3:  "The Phantom Stranger and Deadman"  (5 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Paul Levitz
Writers:  Gerry Conway and Marty Pasko
Penciller:  Romeo Tanghal
Inkers:  Dick Giordano and Bob Layton
Letterers:  Milt Snapinn and Ben Oda
Colorist: Tatjana Wood
 Feature Characters
The Phantom Stranger (last seen in ?; next appears in ?)
Deadman (last seen in Superman Family #183; next appears in CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN #84)
 Guest Star
Dr. Terry Thirteen (last seen in ?; next appears in ?)
 Supporting Character
Rama Kushna (last seen in Brave and the Bold #104; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #463)
Marie Thirteen (last seen in ?; next appears in ?)
 Villains
The Gargoyles (first appearance for all; all probably destroyed in this story)
Quabal (a demon; first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Tala (last seen in ?; next appears in ?)
 Other Characters
Mr. and Mrs. Robertson and their children, Timmy and Teresa (first and only appearance for all)
An unnamed resident of Rutland (first appearance; dies in this story)
Tom Fagan (last seen in ?; next appears in ?)
Gerry and Carla Conway, Marty Pasko, Paul Levitz, and Romeo Tanghal (all of Earth-One)
The sheriff of Rutland (first and only appearance)
 Cameo appearances
Captain Marvel, Batman, Superman, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman (as costumes worn by members of the Rutland Halloween Parade)
 Comment
Tom Fagan remarks that Steve Englehart was in attendance at the Halloween parade, but had to leave early.
This is the last issue of DC Super-Stars.
 Deadman makes a non-canonical appearance in DC SPECIAL SERIES #6 (BRAVE AND BOLD SPECIAL) after this story.
 Shortly after this story, Deadman aids the Challengers of the Unknown and Swamp Thing in Challengers of the Unknown #84-87.
 Synopsis
 Tala puts into motion a complex plan on Halloween night, 1978, in Rutland, Vermont.  The last two surviving gargoyles intend to hatch a large brood of their kind from eggs while sacrificing a child in order to enable the demon Quabal to invade the Earth.  Tala intends to defeat the demon herself, pose as mankind's savior, and rule the world.  However, Deadman and the Phantom Stranger, with some help from Dr. Thirteen, turn back the threefold menace.
 

Adventure Comics #459
September-October 1978
Cover:  Jim Aparo (signed)
 SECOND STORY
 "Murder Haunts the Midway"  (10 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Paul Levitz
Writer:  Len Wein
Artist, letterer:  Jim Aparo
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
 Feature Character
Deadman (last seen in Challengers of the Unknown #87; origin retold in this story)
 Supporting Characters
Cleveland Brand, Tiny, and Lorna Hill (all last seen in Phantom Stranger #39)
Lita Brand (last seen in Strange Adventures #212)
Inga Kronsky Brand (first appearance)
Vashnu (last seen in PHANTOM STRANGER #39)
 Villains
A gunman (first appearance; dies in this story)
 Other Characters
Hugo, his girlfriend, and a spectator (first and only appearance for all)
 Cameo appearances
Toby the Clown, Rama Kushna, the Hook, the Sensei, Ace, Prof Haley, Corinna Stark, Batman, Aquaman, and the Phantom Stranger (all in flashback)
 Comment
This story is continued in the next issue.
 Synopsis
 Deadman returns for an unseen visit to Hills Brothers Circus, unites with his brother's body for a trapeze performance, and is in it when a gunman from the crowd shoots Cleveland Brand in the back.  Tiny manages to save the wounded aerialist by catching him.  Deadman tries to inhabit the gunman's body, but is unable to control him or to prevent him from committing suicide.  Inga, Cleveland's Russian bride, feels that the Communists are behind the murder attempt, but Cleve and the circus people promise her that they will stand together against the threat.

Adventure Comics #460
November-December 1978
Cover:  Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
 SECOND STORY
 "The Canvas Inferno"  (10 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Paul Levitz
Writer:  Len Wein
Artist, letterer:  Jim Aparo
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Vashnu, Tiny, Lorna Hill, Cleveland Brand, Lita Brand, and Inga Brand
 Villains
Mr. Solomon (first appearance)
Mr. Winchell, Harry, Tommy, Nick, Gunther, and other members of Solomon's gang (first appearance for all; last appearance for Tommy; Nick and Gunther named in next issue)
The gunman from last issue (as a corpse; last appearance)
 Other characters
Toby the Clown (last seen in Strange Adventures #205)
Alexi Kronsky (Inga Brand's father; first appearance)
 Cameo appearance
Rama Kushna (as a statue)
 Comment
This story continues in the next issue.
 Synopsis
 The gunman who shot Cleveland Brand proves to be a minion of the mysterious magnate, Mr. Solomon, who sends his personal lawyer, Winchell, to try (unsuccessfully) to persuade Lorna Hill to sell the circus to Solomon.  Rebuffed, Solomon tries to burn down the circus tent, and only Deadman (in Cleve's body) and Tiny manage to save Lita Brand and Vashnu.
 In the meantime, Alexi Kronsky, Inga Brand's father, a Russian scientist held captive by Solomon, overpowers his guard and attempts an escape.

Adventure Comics #461
January-February 1979
Cover:  Jim Aparo
 SECOND STORY
 "Pursuit"  (12 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Paul Levitz
Writer:  Len Wein
Artist, letterer:  Jim Aparo
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Vashnu, Lorna Hill, Tiny, Cleveland Brand, Inga Brand, and Lita Brand
Rama Kushna (behind the scenes)
 Villains
Mr. Solomon, Nick, Gunther, and Winchell
 Other Character
Alexi Kronsky
 Comment
This story continues in the next issue.
 Synopsis
 The fire causes the authorities to shut down Hills Brothers Circus until an investigation of the blaze can be made.  Winchell renews his offer of Solomon buying out the circus, and Lorna Hill asks for 24 hours to consider it.  Alexi Kronsky breaks free of his guards, with help from Deadman.  Meanwhile, Inga, who met and fell in love with Cleve when Hill's Circus played Russia, confesses that she fears Communist spies are after her to get to her father, a great scientist who vanished shortly after they met.  Minutes later, Kronsky appears at the circus, and Inga exclaims that he is her father.

Adventure Comics #462
March-April 1979
Cover:  Jim Aparo (signed)
 THIRD STORY
 "The Sins of the Father"  (12 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Paul Levitz
Writer:  Len Wein
Penciller:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Inker:  Dick Giordano
Letterer:  Ben Oda
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Cleveland Brand, Lita Brand, Inga Brand, Vashnu, Lorna Hill, and Tiny
 Villains
Mr. Solomon, Nick, and Gunther (all die in this story)
Rico (first appearance; dies in this story)
 Other Characters
Alexi Kronsky
Toby the Clown and other members of Hills Brothers Circus
 Comment
This story continues from last issue.
 Synopsis
 Alexi Kronsky confesses that after his wife died in Russia, he perfected his encephalopathic transmogrifier, a device that can transform thought into solid matter, transformed it into a giant wooden elephant, and hid it in Hill's Brothers Circus when they played Russia.  Then he escaped the Soviet Union and came to America, where he offered to sell the device to the famous Mr. Solomon.  Instead, Solomon took him prisoner and offered to free him in return for learning the device's location.
 At that, Solomon and his men, who have been hiding outside, storm into the circus trailer with guns and attempt to recapture Kronsky and then to take the "elephant."  But the circus folk, with the help of Deadman, rebuff them.  Kronsky, however, transforms the elephant into the transformer helmet again, uses it to kill Solomon and his thugs, and declares, "I have the power--and that is more than enough!"

Adventure Comics #463
May-June 1979
Cover:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (signed)
 SECOND STORY
 "Mind Over Murder"  (12 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Paul Levitz
Writer:  Len Wein
Penciller:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Inker:  Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer:  Ben Oda
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Supporting Characters
Rama Kushna (last seen in DC SUPER-STARS #18; next appears in DC Comics Presents #24)
Cleveland Brand, Lorna Hill, Vashnu, Tiny (all next appear in BATMAN #337) Lita Brand, Inga Brand (last appearance for both)
 Villains
Winchell (dies in this story)
Mister Solomon and Gunther (as corpses; last appearance for both)
 Other characters
Alexi Kronsky (last appearance to date)
 Comment
This story continues from last issue.
 Synopsis
 Vashnu persuades Kronsky to remove the helmet and abandon his dreams of power.  Deadman occupies Inga Brand's body, dons the helmet, and uses it to fashion him a new, solid body.  However, it disintegrates after a few seconds.  Winchell appears and steals the helmet, but Deadman occupies Cleve's body, causes Winchell to be thrown into a tank full of water, and witnesses Winchell's death seconds later when the helmet explodes.  Kronsky feels that he has nothing left now, but Inga reassures him that he has a place with his new family, and in the circus.
 Deadman, angered, asks Rama Kushna why he is taunted with freedom from his ghostly state.  Rama appears as a face on a tree, tells Deadman that he must adjust to his ghostly gift, and warns him that it may last for an eternity.  At that, Deadman screams in frustration.

Adventure Comics #464
July-August 1979
 SECOND STORY
 "Requiem For a Deadman"  (23 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Paul Levitz
Writers:  Len Wein and Gerry Conway
Artist, letterer:  Jim Aparo
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Villain
Conrad Cabel (first appearance; dies in this story)
 Other Characters
Annabelle Lee, Dr. Jessica Trent, and Ted Brooks (first and only apearance for all)
 Comments
Annabelle Lee is probably named for Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Annabell Lee".
 Though Deadman refers on page 23, panel 2 to the "robot" which the Forever People built for him in Forever People #10, this can be disregarded as a chronicler's error.
 Synopsis
 Psi-Lab One, a facility where scientists study the paranormal, has been erected on the site where Boston Brand was murdered years ago.  They hold a seance to contact him, and succeed in bringing Deadman into visible existence for a few seconds.  But an outburst of psychic power creates a fire, and, after borrowing a scientist's body to get him and a female coworker out of harm's way, Deadman opts to stay and investigate the mystery.
 Deadman discovers that one of the scientists, Annabelle Lee, has the psychic powers, but he is repulsed by a dark being when he enters her id.  The dark being proves to be the psi-form of Conrad Cabel, whose powers enable him to control her, and who intends to exorcise Deadman from the mortal plane that he may have unlimited access to Lee's powers.  Deadman reenters Lee's id, confronts Cabel's psi-form, and rouses Lee's psi-form to defend herself.  Deadman and Lee cause an outburst of mental power that kills Cabel's body and forces his mind to drift in the mortal world.  Later, Deadman discovers that Annabelle Lee can hear him and talk with him, and promises to try and build a link between the spirit world and her own.

Adventure Comics #465
September-October 1979
 SECOND STORY
 "Brick Battleground"  (12 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Ross Andru
Writer:  Len Wein
Penciller:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Inker:  Dick Giordano
Letterer:  Ben Oda
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
 Feature Character
Deadman
 Villains
Stallion, Leroy, and Chilly Willy  (first and only appearance for all)
 Other Characters
Danny and Luann Mason, Albert, Eddie, Roberts, and Carl (first and only appearance for all)
 Synopsis
 Deadman lends a hand when merchant Danny Mason stands up to gangster Stallion's protection racket, and helps bring Stallion and his gang to justice.

Adventure Comics #466
November-December 1979
Cover:  Jim Aparo (signed)
 SECOND STORY
 "Never Say Die"  (12 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Ross Andru
Writer:  Len Wein
Artist:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Letterer:  Ben Oda
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
 Feature Character
Deadman (next appearance in DC Comics Presents #24)
 Villains
Mr. Caprice (first appearance; dies in this story)
Lester and another hood (first and only appearance for both)
 Other Characters
Abraham Gold (first appearance; dies in this story)
Jacob Gold and his daughter Sarah (first and only appearance for both)
 Synopsis
 Deadman inhabits the body of a pigeon to keep Abraham Gold from shooting himself to death.  Gold is depressed because his son Jacob makes a living pushing drugs for mobster Mr. Caprice.  After a confrontation with Abraham, Jacob Gold finally decides to quit Caprice's gang and go straight.  Deadman follows him.  Unknown to both, Abraham has come to kill Caprice.  Deadman tries to prevent the old man from committing murder, but gets him killed by Caprice's gunfire instead.  Deadman inhabits Jacob's body, defeats his gang, and tells Caprice that the police will soon be there to arrest him, drawn by the gunfire.  Caprice commits suicide.  Jacob Gold promises his dying father that he will serve his time in prison, and make a new life for himself and his daughter when he is released.

DC Comics Presents #24
August 1980
Cover:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (signed)
 STORY
 "The Man Who Was the World"  (17 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Julius Schwartz
Writer:  Len Wein
Artist:  Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Letterer:  Ben Oda
Colorist:  Glynis Wein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #202; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #180), Deadman (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #466; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #500)
Supporting Characters: Rama Kushna (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #463; last appearance), Dr. Jenet Klyburn, Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #202)
Cameo: Abraham Gold, Jack Gold, Caprice (in flashback)
Intro: Alex Atley, Carol Atley, Death (only appearance for all)
Villains: Mr. Genarian (first appearance; dies in this story), Beef, Dennis, other gangsters (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A scientist's pacemaker is setting off quakes in Metropolis, a gangster wants the pacemaker, Deadman is about to give up his mission for Rama Kushna, and Superman tries to set things aright.

Detective Comics #500
March 1981
Cover:  Joe Kubert, Carmine Infantino, Dick Giordano, Jim Aparo, Bob Smith, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Walt Simonson, and Tom Yeates (signed)
 SEVENTH STORY
 "What Happens When a Batman Dies?" (22 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Paul Levitz
Writer:  Cary Bates
Penciller:  Carmine Infantino
Inker:  Bob Smith
Letterer:  John Costanza
Colorist:  Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #268), Robin (next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (1st series) #3), Deadman (last appearance in  DC Comics Presents #24; next appears in Swamp Thing Annual #2)
 Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon, Alfred (both next appear in WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #268)
Thomas and Martha Wayne (as ghosts; last seen in Brave and the Bold #99; last appearance)
Caroline Crown (between BATMAN #330 / 331)
 Feature Characters
Batman (last appearance in fifth story of this issue; next appearance in ?)
Deadman (last appearance in DC Comics Presents #24; next appears in Swamp Thing Annual #2)
 Villains
Stryker (first appearance; dies in this story)
Two muggers (first and only appearance for both)
 Other Characters
Henry and other members of the Wayne Foundation, several ghosts, doctors and staff at a hospital (only appearance for all)
 Synopsis
 Batman is lured into a trap by Stryker, a hitman who uses attack dogs armed with poisoned fangs.  After Batman has received a poisoned bite, he lies near death in a Gotham hospital.  However, he manages to send a mental message to Deadman, who attempts to aid him in his battle for life.  Batman, who has become depressed by his unending battle against crime, clinically dies and meets his parents' spirits in the afterworld, as well as a host of other people the Batman has aided.  But the Waynes tell their son that he is more needed in the mortal world, and send his spirit back to his body.  With the help of Deadman, Batman manages to rise from his hospital bed, track down Stryker--who is accidentally killed by his own attack dogs--and find an antidote to the poison.

Swamp Thing Annual #2
1985
Cover:  Steve Bissette / John Totleben
 STORY
 "Down Among the Dead Men"  (40 pages)
 Credits
Editor:  Karen Berger
Writer:  Alan Moore
Penciller:  Steve Bissette
Inker:  John Totleben
Letterer:  John Costanza
Colorist:  Tatjana Wood
 Feature Character
Swamp Thing (between Saga of the Swamp Thing #31 and 32)
 Guest Stars
Deadman (last seen in Detective Comics #500; next appears in Crisis on Infinite Earths #5)
The Spectre (last seen in ?; next appears in ?)
Phantom Stranger (last seen in ?; next appears in ?)
The Demon (last seen in ?; next appears in ?)
 Supporting Characters
Abby Cable (between Saga of the Swamp Thing #31 and 32)
Alec and Linda Holland (both last seen in Saga of the Swamp Thing #?; both next appear in ?)
 Villains
Anton Arcane (last seen in Saga of the Swamp Thing #31; next appears in Swamp Thing #?)
Muttlecraunch, Flutch, Rundelthratt, Festlesquirm, and other demons (first appearance for all; next appear in ?)
Colonel Sunderland (last seen in Saga of the Swamp Thing #?; next appears in Swamp Thing #?)
 Other Characters
Jerry and his mother (first and only appearance for both)
 Comment
This story continues from Saga of the Swamp Thing #31 and continues in Saga of the Swamp Thing #32.
 The mystic sign that Etrigan conjures up to form a portal from Hell to Earth on page 37 is the symbol of V, from V For Vendetta.
 After this story, Deadman takes part in the Crisis on Infinite Earths in Crisis on Infinite Earths #5, 7, 11, and 12.  However, not until the events of All-Star Squadron #50 is the New DC Earth finally altered and the Earth-One heroes replaced by their New Earth counterparts, so Deadman remains his Earth-One self through Swamp Thing #50, in which he aids Swamp Thing and other mystical heroes against the Dark.
 Synopsis
 Swamp Thing, seeking Abby Cable's soul in Hell, sends his spirit into the realms of the dead.  Once there, Deadman is able to guide him towards Heaven and Hell, though he cannot enter those realms.  The Phantom Stranger (with the allowance of The Spectre) lets the Swamp Thing search through the recent arrivals in Heaven, but Abby is not there.  The Demon becomes Swamp Thing's guide through the new arrivals in Hell, where he meets Arcane, now a nesting-creature for insects.  Swamp Thing rescues Abby's spirit, and the Demon conjures a portal by which they return to Earth.  Once reunited with her body, Abby knows nothing of her recent ordeal.

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