DCeased: Hope At World's End #1 Review

Through a Different Lens

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Dustin Nguyen, Rex Lokus, and Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: May 19, 2020

I was a massive fan of the DC Comics Digital First lineup back in the day, and one of my all-time favorites is still Tom Taylor's Injustice book.  Getting a chapter every Tuesday (If my memory serves me right) was such a great way to start my week of reading and reviewing comics.  So, when Taylor and DC surprise dropped this new DCeased book like they were Drake (No, not Tim Drake!), I was pumped.  It is not just for the actual comic, but because an original digital series hit might mean even more coming in the future.  I know that we are already getting the repurposed stuff from the Walmart Giants, but I'm talking new books... big books from big names.  You know, like that Firestorm book Eric has been working on! I'm getting way ahead of myself, though, because we need to see if this first chapter of DCeased: Hope at World's End is any good.  Well, is it? Let's find out...


First, I have to mention that this chapter is coming out on the same day that Tom Taylor's DCeased: The Unkillables is ending, which is pretty cool.  Not because it picks up from that story, because it does not, but because after reading the finale of that mini, I wanted more DCeased, and now I get it!  I am a selfish guy so that sort of thing is big for me.

This series bridges the gap between the first DCeased story and the upcoming DCeased: Dead Planet, but starts during the original from Jimmy Olsen's point of view.  Jimmy is a great choice, obviously because of his connection with Superman and Lois Lane, but also because his goofy innocence is an excellent juxtaposition to the Anti-Life disaster happening around him.  While the DCeased storyline may feel like old-hat to those who thought the zombie craze ended a long time ago, Jimmy, with his camera in hand, makes this feel more like a war book already.

Of course, the DCU is at war here, and this first chapter gets everyone up to speed on what this DCeased/Anti-Life Infection is all about.  I could argue this chapter is a decent 99 cent recap of the original story and end it there, but I am hoping for a lot more.  I want to get pumped for Dead Planet, and after The Unkillables, Tom Taylor won't have to work too hard.  However, that's going to have to wait at least a week since almost everything in this first chapter is a rehash, albeit from a new perspective, but done well enough to make it worth reading by new and old readers alike.  

I said, "almost everything" because the last two pages (should we call them "swipes" or something?) are dark and big and have me intrigued to see what's next.  The Anti-Life Army?  The Anti-Life War? Some cool characters looking badass?  Yep, I am in!

Again, this first chapter is mostly recapping to get everyone up to speed, but it does it well, does it through a fan-favorite character, and looks good to boot.   I am always up for another good read, and having some more original digital-only options in these times is a big plus, especially to those stuck inside.  I am looking forward to the next chapter and beyond.

Bits and Pieces:

Tom Taylor and Dustin Nguyen are giving us a new digital-first series set in the DCeased Universe, and I am already excited.  While this first chapter is a bit of recap from the original DCeased story, seeing it through the eyes of Jimmy Olsen makes it feel fresh. Also, it's nice to get up to speed before venturing forward, especially since the cliffhanger looks badass.  If you need some DCeased action to tide you over until Dead Planet hits, or want a new Digital First book from Tom Taylor, you can't go wrong with DCeased: Hope at World's End Chapter One.  

8.0/10