DCeased is a 2019 6-issued comic book series published by DC Comics. It is written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by Trevor Hairsine and James Harren.
Synopsis[]
When a mysterious techno-based virus is released upon the Earth, turning over 600,000,000 people into flesh-eating monsters, the heroes of the DC Universe are completely caught off guard and must now fight a pandemic of this magnitude, but what good are Earth's defenders if there is no more Earth to defend?
Issue 1[]
The first issue begins with Darkseid, the lord of Apokolips, following his most recent defeat at the hands of Earth's greatest defenders, the Justice League. Little do they know however, that Darkseid himself got what he came for from Earth and left via boom tube. It's then that Batman realizes one of their own is missing, the former football player, turned mechanical hero named Cyborg, as he placed a tracking device on him, which made his comrades wonder if he's done the same to them as well. The tracker has a 2 light year reach and Cyborg is no longer on Earth, which many begin asking the question: Where is Cyborg?
On the planet of Apokolips, Desaad, one of Darkseid's loyal servants, is hard at work, crucifying Cyborg to a torture table, questioning him of the Anti-Life Equation, to which Cyborg has no knowledge. Desaad explains that he who possesses the equation, can control all life in the universe and end free will, to which Darkseid at least has half of the equation and it's revealed that Darkseid has discovered that the other half is within Cyborg himself. After Darkseid ordered Cyborg's tongue cut out due to his insolence, the New God merged the half of the equation he had with Cyborg, which caused the Black Racer to appear. Luckily for Darkseid, he was able to restrain him with his immense strength and Desaad taking a piece of the racer and injecting it into Cyborg. Unfortunately, this caused for the equation to change and Darkseid began succumbing to the corruption they had unleashed, allowing Cyborg the opportunity to boom tube back to Earth before Darkseid ended all life on Apokolips.
Back on Earth, in the city of Metropolis, Cyborg had fallen right in the middle of the street, where many of the civilians began getting photos of him with their phones. Despite Cyborg's warning and attempts to keep the equation from spreading like wild fire through the world-wide web, it was too late and those exposed to their screens had become infected around him. Elsewhere, at the home of Mister Miracle and Big Barda, Superman requested their aid in finding Cyborg, but before more could be said, Superman could hear the screaming coming from Metropolis, causing him to leap into action. At the scene, Superman hovered in place, witnessing the people he protected causing untold chaos, which made him realize that his wife Lois and their son Jon were in danger as well.
At their apartment in Metropolis, Damian Wayne and Jon are playing video games while Lois is looking for her phone, to which Jon aids in using his x-ray vision, finding it on the kitchen counter. Before giving it to Lois however, a blast of his father's heat vision was enough to destroy it. Superman came crashing through a nearby window and destroying the TV as well it could infect Damian as well. Meanwhile, at the Batcave, Batman is sitting at the Batcomputer, running on intranet and quarantining the virus infecting the entire world. He runs projections on how many will be infected, to which his computer replies over 600,000,000. He demands to know if the entirety of Wayne Manor is disconnected, to which it is not, causing him to order the activation of an electromagnetic pulse in the manor, frying all of the electrical systems in the Wayne family home.
Back in Metropolis, Superman looks out, intending on contacting the League, to which Lois replied that there may not be a League left, given the events transpiring around them. Damian attempts to contact his father, to find he isn't responding, but because they knew Batman was a fighter and had contingencies in place for this kind of situation, he'll look for a way to contact Damian. Back at Wayne Manor however, Batman finds Alfred in the kitchen, where he holds an infected Nightwing at knife point, only for him to charge at them. Batman attempts to dispatch them, only for the 3rd Robin, Tim Drake, biting him in the process. Batman then orders Alfred to run, however even Nightwing was able to take a chunk of flesh out of Batman's neck.
Issue 2[]
The second issue kicks off with Aquaman, aiding a ship in the middle of the Atlantic, aiding the ship's crew. Unfortunately for him however, when he opened a hatch to the inside, he found the entirety of the crew had been infected and ambushed him until he fell into the sea. In Metropolis, both Jon and Damian have suited up and begin believing this was truly the apocalypse. Lois is on the landline with her father, who thanks to his hatred of smart phones, is safe with her mother and both are headed to their bunker. Superman plans to go to Smallville, but he refuses to leave her, Damian and Jon defenseless, to which Lois replies with going to the Daily Planet.
Meanwhile, in the Gotham City, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are at the Joker's hideout, where Ivy convinces Harley to end her relationship with the Joker. Once in, she finds Joker in front of several screens and begins telling him their life was over. Outside Metropolis however, Black Canary, Green Arrow and Hal Jordan are camping, but following Hal turning in for the night, he uses his smart phone, which causes him to become infected as well and begin using his power ring against both Arrow and Canary. Though Hal was about the kill Arrow, Canary saves him just in time via her use of her Canary Cry, killing Hal in the process. Back in Metropolis, Jon, Superman, Damian and Lois arrive at the planet where they intend on using the analog TV stations and radio station, but Superman stops them from entering the building, as it is infested, to which he goes off to find Hal. Outside of Metropolis, Hal's ring floats towards Dinah and makes her the new Green Lantern defender of Sector 2814, but despite her reluctance on using it, Superman tells her she has to, considering what's transpiring.
Superman returns with both Canary and Arrow to the Planet, but as Superman was away getting reinforcements, they were able to get in touch with Batman. The Dark Knight explains to them that the infected are spreading death, thanks to the Anti-Life Equation, referring to the creatures as the "Anti-Living". He also reveals to them he is infected as well and using one of Mr. Freeze's suits to decelerate his metabolism and slow the virus, but Alfred is at his side as well, wielding a shotgun for the inevitable. He explains too that in order to eradicate the virus, they must eradicate every form of advanced technology, as well as those infected to save the world. Batman then tells Damian that Alfred has something for him, but before he could finish his sentence, Batman turns into an Anti-Living, leaving Alfred to end the transmission to Damian and killing Bruce.
Issue 3[]
The third issue kicks off, following the deaths of Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson and Tim Drake, leaving only Alfred the sole survivor at Wayne Manor. With a briefcase for Damian, Alfred boards the Batwing and flies to his location, but also taking out some Anti-Living in the process as well. At the same time, Harley Quinn is running from her now infected ex-boyfriend, but then turns, taking up a shotgun from a fallen survivor and using it to end Joker. Overjoyed at killing the Joker, Harley walks down the alleyway she came from, only to be confronted by the now infected Birds of Prey, consisting of Batwoman, Catwoman, Batgirl and Huntress, to which Harley replied that she was going bird hunting.
Meanwhile in Metropolis, Damian is grieving the loss of his father before Jon approaches him. Damian makes it clear to him that he rather not talk about what happened, to which Jon replied with that he was just going to sit there next to him. On the other side of the roof, Superman can hear what's going on, to which Arrow asked if Damian would be alright, following the death of his father. Because Superman knew Damian as his father's son, he would find a way to bury what happened and look toward the future. Superman then said that he'd have to go to his home in Smallville to see if his family is safe, but not before clearing the building of infected for the remaining survivors to access the systems they need to contact others. Superman promises them his return and asks Dinah and Ollie to protect his family while he's away, to which they agree.
In the city of Atlantis, Garth and Mera are training, but soon discover that the water is becoming contaminated with the blood of infected people, brought on by a now infected Aquaman. Garth attempts to stop him, but is infected in the process, leading to Mera using her hydrokinetic powers to force the infected away from her before she attempts to flee. Back in Metropolis, Superman aids those he can while on the way to Smallville, even Black Lightning against Clayface and then ordering him and his family to head for the Planet where they would meet after. Superman then arrives in Smallville, where he meets up with Martha Kent, his adoptive mother and finds his adoptive father, Jonathan in the barn, locked behind a trap door. He then takes Martha with him to safety.
Issue 4[]
The 4th issue of the series begins in Washington DC, where Captain Atom is aiding Amanda Waller and The Atom in a Cadmus underground facility. Waller is using Atom to analyze the virus and hopefully look for a way to destabilize it, while using Captain Atom as a means of wiping out the most heavily infected areas. Unfortunately, Atom was able of infiltrating Captain Atom and infecting his heart from within. In Metropolis, Superman returns with Martha, where they have a moment of grieving for Jonathan's grandfather. Following this, Lois and the others have been able to broadcast to anyone who is listening, while Superman plans on going out to help more people, only to be stopped by the others, saying that if he sees a screen, he too could be infected. Superman, however explains since the nanosecond this began, he's been using his x-ray vision to see. With that, Dinah explained she was going with him too and Lois began broadcasting to the world and those with powers, regardless of past allegiances to meet at the Daily Planet. The broadcast even went as far as Themyscira, where Mera arrived and was welcomed there. Wonder Woman however, had plans to go to Metropolis to aid.
In Keystone City, Superman and Dinah are overhead, where Superman finds The Flash and Kid Flash hiding in isolation. Batman ordered them into isolation, as should they be infected, it would spell disaster. In Gotham, Harley and the infected Birds of Prey begin fighting, only for Harley to run out of ammo in her shotgun. Before Harley could come to harm however, Ivy attacked the Birds of Prey, using her chlorokinetic powers to kill them all, leading to both walking away from the scene. In Metropolis, as Lois continues her broadcast, Jon begins hearing the sounds of what appears to be thunder, only to finally realize it is an infected Giganta on a rampage through the city. The heroes then leap into action, engaging the colossal woman, including Alfred, who arrives in the Batwing. Giganta is able to damage the Batwing, but before Alfred could crash, Dinah is able to save him. With one mighty hit, Superman is able to dispatch Giganta in the process. It's then Wonder Woman arrives and goes to kill Giganta, only for Superman to stop her, explaining because they're infected, there is still hope that they can be saved. Unfortunately for them, Cyborg blasts a huge hole into Giganta's head, telling them that they needed to talk.
Alfred reunites with Damian atop the Planet, where he gives Damian the suit from Bruce. Inside, Damian finds a batsuit, to which he was now worthy of the mantle, to which Damian embraces Alfred. Cyborg explains to the others that the anti-living are dead and seek out the living, nothing more. Following this, Ollie is able to notice Hawkgirl falling from a great height, to which Wonder Woman saves her and explains to the survivors that Captain Atom has turned and is about to explode. Once they had the location, Wonder Woman and Superman headed for Washington DC, grabbing Captain Atom in the process and flying upwards until he explodes.
Issue 5[]
Following the colossal detonation of an infected Captain Atom, Superman and Wonder Woman have survived the blast, but bear witness to the destruction of Metropolis, believing their friends and family dead, until they see the piece of the Daily Planet protected by Dinah and he Green Lantern ring. At the same time, Lena and her brother Lex Luthor have survived via their power armor and call a truce with Superman to help in their mission. With the aid of their newfound allies, the surviving heroes begin destroying every internet server and any connection to the internet in the world over the next few days, as well as lifting up sections of Themyscira to act as a safe haven for refugees.
Damian, now the new Batman, Arrow and Dinah head for Gotham, where Poison Ivy has taken over the entirety of the city via her plants and hope to ask for her aid. It's then an infected Killer Croc goes to attack the trio, but ends up dead by both Damian and Ivy, however Ivy also takes Damian and Arrow prisoner. Dinah attempts to free them, but Damian orders her not to harm the plants, which Ivy concurs with that sentiment. Damian then requests sanctuary for the survivors, to which she is reluctant at first, only for Harley to convince her otherwise. In the Arctic, Superman converts his Fortress of Solitude into both an information hub, as well as a new Hall of Heroes, where Cyborg and others have begun working on Arks for survivors to flee to a new world. Though the plans are underway, Superman refuses to leave Earth and ends up in an argument, ending with Luthor getting decked in the face by Lois, warning him should he speak out of line to Superman again, she'd break his jaw.
The next few weeks go by and survivors are gathered in both Gotham and on Themyscira, while the Arks are being constructed in the Arctic. Though they believed they were in control, this wasn't the case, as the surviving heroes were stunned with a high-pitched sonic noise, before an infected Martian Manhunter invaded the Fortress and resulting in either the deaths or infections of several heroes in the process, including Lex and Flash. Firestorm ended Manhunter before anymore could be infected, however Flash escaped the Fortress, running across the world, infecting others with the virus. Despite Kid Flash's wish to chase Barry, Superman volunteered himself, not wishing for another speedster to end up like Barry. Superman was able to catch up with Barry, only when he collided with Barry, his body exploded and pieces of the Flash had merged with Superman, infecting him.
With the time he had remaining, Superman headed back to Kid Flash, revealing his infection and requesting him to tap Lois, Martha and Jon into the speed force, saying his final goodbye to his family before ascending into the atmosphere, in hopes of starving himself of oxygen before the virus could take hold, but even he was too late and the virus turned him completely.
Issue 6[]
Now infected with the Anti-Living virus, Superman had begun causing destruction, beginning in New York, leveling a building with his powers. At the Fortress of Solitude, the remaining survivors have learned Superman has turned and Wonder Woman knew they had to take him down and thanks to Bruce's contingencies on virtually every hero, they had a chance. In a lead-lined box, Damian revealed a small sliver of Kryptonite, which they looked to use as a means of taking down Superman, but Wonder Woman knew they couldn't hold back, resulting in her taking the sliver of the xenomineral, along with Dinah and Cyborg to the forge in the Fortress and merging both the radioactive mineral with her mystical Sword of Athena. Once it was complete, Wonder Woman, Dinah and Cyborg ventured forth to kill Superman.
In Gotham, the survivors boarded the Ark and planned on leaving none behind, however because Ivy refused to leave the Green on Earth, she decided to remain, as did Harley. They then landed on Themyscira, where they loaded up more survivors. This however, became problematic, as Aquaman arrived, in command of the mighty Kraken, along with many of infected Atlanteans. This resulted in a great conflict between both them and the Amazons defending the Ark. On the other half of the world, Wonder Woman, Cyborg and Dinah were able to locate Superman amongst the destruction in New York. Dinah used her new ring to create a megaphone construct and using her canary cry, amplified it enough to subdue Superman. On Themyscira however, the Amazons fought valiantly, but eventually fell, with Hippolyta giving Wonder Girl her crown to give to Wonder Woman upon their reunion. The Arks were able to escape as well, taking Mera along with them.
In New York, Superman has recovered from Dinah's attack and can hear from Dinah's earpiece that the Arks are away, but Themyscira is lost. Superman then proceeded to attack Dinah, but she was able to protect herself via shield construct, long enough for Cyborg to distract Superman and Wonder Woman sliced off his forearm with her blade. She then impaled him with the sword, only for Superman to react with an impaling punch through Wonder Woman's armor, causing her to become among the infected and Superman flying off. Cyborg caught Wonder Woman and landed on the ground, only for her to pass the Sword of Athena to Dinah and Cyborg refusing to leave, considering he was indeed patient zero. As Superman headed for the Arks, Jon was able to see him coming, resulting in him to leap into action and meet Superman head on, resulting in a colossal explosion from the impact.
Both father and son were in orbit, with Dinah arriving with the Sword of Athena, however the planet Oa sent a massive army of Green Lanterns to back her up, even the Guardians of the Universe. Once Superman had recovered, he realized he couldn't take on the entirety of the corps, so he headed for the sun at superhuman speed and once inside, began absorbing the energy into his Kryptonian cells. With little choice but to retreat and not only keep the planet under quarantine, but also escort the survivors to a new world. Back on Earth, Wonder Woman has turned, but Cyborg is able to use the lasso to learn that because the virus is rampant on the world, there is a cure within him, but before he could make his way to the Arks, Wonder Woman beheads him and sends his body into a chasm below. On the Arks, the survivors of Earth bear witness to the new home that they call Earth 2.
Sequel Comics[]
Following the release of DCeased, several more series based around this universe have been made.
- DCeased: Dead Planet
- DCeased: The Unkillables
- DCeased: A Good Day To Die