A classic DC character will reportedly headline his own TV series

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast and someone who has followed Deadman’s adventures since his debut back in the 1960s, I am beyond excited at the prospect of a Deadman animated series! The original run had its charm, but let’s face it, the Kung Fu bits were cheesy even for the time.

The creative universe of James Gunn for DC is gearing up, with the animated series “Creature Commandos” set to debut before year’s end! There’s a flurry of activity at DC Studios, with several projects underway. Some, like “Superman,” penned and helmed by Gunn himself, slated for release in July 2025, are already known. However, there are others that remain veiled in secrecy.

Intrigue often spawns whispers, and currently, DC has its fair share. One of these murmurings revolves around an anticipated animated venture featuring the spectral superhero, Deadman. Given his rich comic book background, it’s reasonable to speculate that this series might delve into:

Speculation about an upcoming Deadman animated series arises from a report by Nexus Point News, stating that, according to their trusted sources, the project is currently under early stages at DC Studios. The article further clarifies that, as of its publication, there are no writers or scripts finalized for this potential show, and it has yet to receive official approval. No additional details about the format, number of episodes, release date, etc., were provided in the report.

DC’s Deadman character, explained

In October of 1967, the enigmatic character Deadman debuted in the pages of Strange Adventures No. 205. This captivating figure was conjured by the imaginative mind of writer Arnold Drake and the skillful hand of artist Carmine Infantino. Known in life as Boston Brand, this circus aerialist, renowned for his exceptional skills, donned a dark crimson suit and spectral white mask during his performances under the moniker Deadman. Tragically, one fateful night while executing an death-defying leap, Brand was gunned down. To his dismay, he found that though he spoke, no one could hear him, nor even acknowledge his presence.

Upon understanding that he’s now departed from the realm of the living, Brand erupts in fury, but this anger is hushed by the voice of the Hindu deity Rama Kushna. Rama Kushna assigns Brand the duty of identifying his murderer, and bestows upon him the ability to inhabit the living to execute his assignment. Once he’s fulfilled his mission, he will be welcomed to Nanda Parbat. So, with his purpose clearly defined and a burning desire for vengeance within him, Boston Brand transformed into his circus moniker, Deadman, embarking on a journey to find his assassin and attain everlasting tranquility.

As a gamer, I found myself teaming up with some of DC’s legendary heroes, like Batman, Superman, Zatanna, and more. It was an honor to be among the original members who formed the Justice League Dark, tackling supernatural perils that even the traditional Justice League couldn’t manage alone.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but ponder if DC Studios truly plans to bring the Deadman character to life on television. If that’s the case, the creative team would undeniably have a rich tapestry of stories at their disposal. So, what might this potential show be about?

An Anthology series would work for Deadman

In the tradition of comics from that period, Deadman embarked on numerous journeys following his initial story, each with a unique blend of genre and mood. Some were filled with laughter, while others were more solemn. Yet, throughout these early tales, the supernatural aspects of the character were subtly woven in, taking a secondary role to the pursuit of his killer.

If a Deadman TV series is to have multiple episodes, an anthology-style format like the comics could result in a captivating viewing experience. However, it’s important not to stick too closely to the early comic books, as their supernatural elements were more background than center stage for many stories. Instead, most of these early tales focused on detective and criminal investigations that were quite ordinary, such as bank robberies, motorcycle gangs, and other common adversaries. The show should aim to move beyond just adapting these kinds of stories, offering a more diverse range of plotlines.

Instead of sticking strictly to the ordinary elements from the original Deadman comics, the animated adaptation could significantly enhance its appeal by emphasizing the supernatural or horror-themed aspects of the Deadman character and his environment.

A period setting would complement a supernatural approach

Many comic book adaptations often transpose the characters into the era when the film or series is produced, which can result in modifications to the original storyline (as illustrated by the first Iron Man movie where it altered the location of Tony Stark’s captivity and his transformation into Iron Man).

In many adaptations of superhero stories, updating characters’ origins to fit contemporary times is a common approach. However, this writer thinks that maintaining Deadman’s story in the late ’60s and early ’70s would be more suitable for the show, as it would differentiate it from other superhero/comic content and provide an authentic feel fitting of the era. This unique setting could significantly enhance the series.

In the early ’70s, there was a resurgence of horror comics and media because rules limiting their use had eased after about 20 years. This change was largely driven by the growing demand from the public for more horror and supernatural content during this era.

If the proposed animated show retained its initial comic book’s setting, it would allow for narratives focusing on the struggles and intrigue surrounding ordinary individuals grappling with a world suddenly infused by supernatural elements.

A different animation style per episode

If DC Studios decided to adapt Deadman for an anthology series and chose to animate it, what if they allowed various animation styles for each individual episode instead of maintaining a consistent one throughout?

In an anthology-style series like Star Wars: Visions, it’s common for different animation styles to be employed, as distinct studios contributed to individual episodes within the series, much like in Batman: Gotham Knight of 2008. This approach not only adds a fresh twist to storytelling but also ensures that each episode maintains its own unique flavor and identity.

Presenting Deadman’s character and his realm through diverse animation perspectives promises a captivating viewing experience. Some episodes might evoke a chilling atmosphere filled with suspense, while others could delve into somber and gloomy territories, addressing real-world issues such as despair. There may also be instances of more playful designs for less serious episodes. The visual style of the show could vary significantly – it might maintain a consistent animation style or even venture into live action. However, we’ll only know for sure once it’s released.

A chance to reinvent his origins

Spoilers ahead for the true identity of the killer! Throughout the original comic run, Deadman was on the trail of his killer who’s only known alias was The Hook. After many trials and tribulations, Deadman discovers that The Hook was a member of the League of Assassins, and he killed Deadman because it was a apart of his initiation into the League, and The Hook himself had no direct or personal connection to Deadman. Essentially, Deadman was chosen out of a hat as target practice for The Hook.

1. You might recognize the League of Assassins, as it’s led by Ra’s Al Ghul, a well-known antagonist from Batman comics. However, Ra’s didn’t clash with Deadman during their initial comic run featuring The Hook.

In hindsight, the Kung Fu elements featured in the Deadman series seemed cheesy and ill-suited for the character. Subsequent Deadman tales largely focused on horror and mystical themes, which felt more appropriate compared to martial arts brawls. In the initial comics, Deadman would take control of assassins and battle them while delivering corny quips and jokes. While it’s not necessarily wrong for such humorous ideas to be present in these comics, a contemporary audience might expect a series called Deadman to delve into themes of death and horror rather than Kung Fu.

Instead of linking Deadman to the League and The Hook, DC Studios could reimagine his origins by making his death a more personal event. For instance, Deadman could be killed due to his involvement with criminal elements trying to seize control of the circus that he belongs to, or perhaps because an enraged ex-partner discovered his infidelity and hired someone to eliminate him, or even carried out the act themselves. The League of Assassins should not be the primary cause of Deadman’s demise in this revised version.

A Deadman series could lead to a future in the DCU

Hypothetically speaking, if we assume the show goes ahead and turns out to be a hit for DC Studios and James Gunn, what might be the fate of the Deadman character?

It would be fantastic if Warner Bros. Discovery decided to commission another season for the show, as it suggests that the series has been successful. Additionally, beyond the scope of the show, there’s a lot of potential for the Deadman character. In his extensive comic book career, Deadman has primarily worked alone, collaborating occasionally with other heroes and characters. More recently, however, Deadman joined the Justice League Dark as one of its founding members.

Characters from Justice League Dark, such as Zatanna, John Constantine, Swamp Thing, Black Orchid, and others, could potentially appear in the Deadman show if it’s produced before James Mangold’s Swamp Thing movie. This could include a cameo appearance by Swamp Thing himself, or other mystical characters from the extended DC comic universe. If Deadman gets an animated series, there’s a chance he might transition to live-action in future projects, given his potential in various films and shows within James Gunn’s DC Universe. With the confirmation of a shared universe across films, TV, live-action, and animation, it would be fantastic if Deadman made such a leap!

What do you think? If there is going to be a Deadman animated series, would it work? What would you want the show to focus on? Do you have any other theories that weren’t discussed here?

2024-09-02 22:31

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