A review by dozmuttz
Dceased: Hope at World's End by Tom Taylor
2.0
This was a huge downgrade compared to the previous 2 series in the world of ‘DCeased.’ In this 15 issue series we get another prequel-like story showing us some in-between events that occurred before the end of the original ‘DCeased’ storyline. It all starts with a perspective from Jimmy Olsen. We see his first encounter with the anti-life virus and how he meets up with Superman. From there the story focuses on what is called the *Anti-Life Army* and their attack on the safe havens the heroes have made for survivors. The army is made after Black Adam is infected which in turn leads to his whole people being infected. Some other characters unfortunately see themselves turned into the zombie-like monsters and thus begin the attack on Gothams garden, a safe location made by Poison Ivy housing millions of survivors. We also get a couple of issues showing different characters and how they managed to make their way to the garden. It all leads to the giant battle between Black Adam's army and the surviving heroes protecting the innocent in the garden.
Tom Taylor is still the writer in this world of ‘DCeased’ so I’m really sad to say I straight up disliked this read. It felt so different compared to the previous two and not in a good way. The overall plot isn’t too bad of an idea, but the added characters and super fast pacing ruined it for me. Some issues were just rushed, uninteresting, filler and the whole climax of the series was just meh. I mentioned in his two previous series in this world that his pacing is normally done brilliantly. This time around though, it feels way too fast. Each issue felt rushed and lacked any actual depth. It just seemed like Taylor wasn’t as interested in this one cause I would finish an issue in like 5 minutes and gain nothing from it. There was also a lot more corny dialogue and moments that kinda made me forget this was even a horror-esque world. It kinda felt like the read was more for younger kids and that could’ve been the point, but nothing indicates that directly and as something that started as a ‘Black Label’ story, I don’t know why’d you’d switch the tone so drastically. Just doesn’t work for what the series is supposed to be.
The artwork was unfortunately not a saving factor in this story. Possibly adding more to why I didn’t like it. The series has multiple artists throughout the read, however the main one is Marco Failla. I in no way think the art is bad, it’s just not for me. I just don’t think it matches the type of world this whole series is supposed to be about. It just makes everything feel toned down. That’s not all Failla or the other artists fault either, as Taylor in general is giving us a more toned down story. Just all in all was not for me.
Overall; this one's for sure skippable. The previous two mini-series were so much better and this one feels so distant compared to them. It is a very fast read so if you’re *really* curious or are a completist with you’re reading, it won’t be *that* much of a waste of time, but it’s not the best from Taylor.
Tom Taylor is still the writer in this world of ‘DCeased’ so I’m really sad to say I straight up disliked this read. It felt so different compared to the previous two and not in a good way. The overall plot isn’t too bad of an idea, but the added characters and super fast pacing ruined it for me. Some issues were just rushed, uninteresting, filler and the whole climax of the series was just meh. I mentioned in his two previous series in this world that his pacing is normally done brilliantly. This time around though, it feels way too fast. Each issue felt rushed and lacked any actual depth. It just seemed like Taylor wasn’t as interested in this one cause I would finish an issue in like 5 minutes and gain nothing from it. There was also a lot more corny dialogue and moments that kinda made me forget this was even a horror-esque world. It kinda felt like the read was more for younger kids and that could’ve been the point, but nothing indicates that directly and as something that started as a ‘Black Label’ story, I don’t know why’d you’d switch the tone so drastically. Just doesn’t work for what the series is supposed to be.
The artwork was unfortunately not a saving factor in this story. Possibly adding more to why I didn’t like it. The series has multiple artists throughout the read, however the main one is Marco Failla. I in no way think the art is bad, it’s just not for me. I just don’t think it matches the type of world this whole series is supposed to be about. It just makes everything feel toned down. That’s not all Failla or the other artists fault either, as Taylor in general is giving us a more toned down story. Just all in all was not for me.
Overall; this one's for sure skippable. The previous two mini-series were so much better and this one feels so distant compared to them. It is a very fast read so if you’re *really* curious or are a completist with you’re reading, it won’t be *that* much of a waste of time, but it’s not the best from Taylor.