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.