“War Of The Undead Gods” – Book Seven
Artists: Trevor Hairsine, Lucas Meyer, Andy Lanning
Color Artist: Rain Beredo
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Review by Steve J. Ray
Alfred Pennyworth is the new Spectre and he’s struck a mighty blow in favor of the forces of good, in DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #7.
Wow! This issue turns up the heat and gives fans the kind of action that big-budget movies only dream of delivering. Not only do we see Alfred level up in ways hitherto undreamed of, but we get Brainiac, Darkseid, Lobo, Kandor, and its citizens, used in ways that we’ve never seen before. Tom Taylor’s knowledge of and love for the characters of the DC Multiverse have allowed him to shock and inspire more than just about any other writer out there.
This month Lucas Meyer joins the art team, penciling and inking the middle section of the issue. The good news, his art is fantastic! The better news, while it’s different from what we see on the pages by Trevor Hairsine and Andy Lanning, Rain Beredo’s colors make the transition seamless. Yes, I spotted the style change, but that’s just because of my trained eye. Most fans will be so absorbed by the story that they most likely won’t even notice. I urge these readers to look again, as Mr. Meyer’s art is well worth admiring.
This issue sets up the finale beautifully, and even though it’s a story that’s told at a breakneck pace, it still finds room for characterization, tenderness, and surprises. Every DCeased mini-series has delivered tales well told with gorgeous art, but this final arc has upped the spectacle.
Sometimes these cosmic-level events are all style over substance, but this creative team is made up of comics masters, so we gain the grandeur and gravitas, but never at the cost of character development or good storytelling. This isn’t just action for action’s sake.
Oh, and I’ve got to hand it to Lobo… I think this time Darkseid’s bitten off more than he can chew.
Conclusion
DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #7 is a triumph. While there are still moments of heartbreak, we do see the hint of there being true light at the end of the tunnel. We see characters who were previously villains join the side of the angels, and what they represent, plus the armies they command could mean that the tides are turning in favor of the heroes. Erebos and his unliving hordes had better watch out!
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment