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| Issue |
Deadman
1 (of 4) |
| Subtitle |
Return
to Forever |
| Date |
March
1986 |
| Writer(s) |
Andrew
Helfer |
| Artist(s) |
Jose
Luis Garcia Lopez |
| storyline |
Against
the wishes of Batman, Rama Kushna, and his brother Cleveland,
Deadman left the sanctuary of Nanda Parbat. Deadman
hopped into Batman's body as they left and departed
when they arrived at the circus. When he and Cleveland
arrived, the circus was being robbed. Deadman possessed
one of the robbers and blew their cover. Cleve looked
like a hero when the others arrived.
Still confused about the entire situation, Cleveland
called his brother out. Boston possessed him and from
inside his body, wrote him a letter about all that had
happened - from his death to agreeing to stay on earth
as a ghost. He asked Cleveland for one week of his life
so that he could feel again. After he agreed, Boston
visited with Tiny and Lorna.
The next day, he visited his grave; Vashnu found him.
Knowing what was happening, he warned Boston that he
needed to return to Nanda Parbat.
Boston needed to feel the crowd again - at his first
performance in his brother's body, Boston was shot.
Cleveland died. They struggled with each other in death;
Boston decided to take his place in the afterlife and
let Cleveland stay on with Rama Kushna. Rama warned
him not to do it.
Boston returned to his own decaying body and dug himself
out of his grave. |
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| Issue |
Deadman
2 (of 4) |
| Subtitle |
This
Mortal Coil |
| Date |
April
1986 |
| Writer(s) |
Andrew
Helfer |
| Artist(s) |
Jose
Luis Garcia Lopez |
| storyline |
Cleveland
was able to grab Boston before he reached the end.
He received his reward and Boston stayed on as Rama's
balance. With Cleveland dead, Boston set out to find
his killer. He saw Lotus lighting a cigarette and
holding a gun outside the main tent. Deadman attempted
to enter her body and turn the gun on her. She refused
him. Deadman looked up to see one of the circus clowns
pointing a gun at her. The two had a past in Nanda
Parbat. The dwarf shot and killed Lotus.
Deadman realized the Sensei sent Lotus to destroy
him. He went to Vashnu. The fortune teller clued him
in that the Sensei planned a conquest of Nanda Parbat.
Vashnu continued and told him the story of Rama Kushna
- a deal like he'd received had been struck before
- a man who was murdered agreed to stay on with Rama
Kushna and root out evils. The evils he fought ived
in peace in Nanda Parbat. Eventually, he tired and
left. He happened upon the Society of Assassins and
possessed their Sensei. Over the years, he prepared
to take on Rama Kushna and return all the residents
of Nanda Parbat to evil.
En route to Nanda Parbat, Deadman stopped at Hong
Kong to check out the headquarters of the Society
of Assassins. The Sensei sensed him and had his troops
arm the psi weapons - Deadman was targeted.
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| Issue |
Deadman
3 (of 4) |
| Subtitle |
Breaking
the Barrier |
| Date |
May
1986 |
| Writer(s) |
Andrew
Helfer |
| Artist(s) |
Jose
Luis Garcia Lopez |
| storyline |
The
sensei ordered his men away so he could speak with their
captured soul. The spirit inside him drifted out - Deadman
could see it. The man tried to convince Deadman that
Rama Kushna was a force for evil and must be overthrown.
Deadman refused to join his crusade.
Days later, the man he'd possessed to attack the society
attempted to make him suffer for it. Deadman provoked
him, and he breached the barrier. Deadman was able to
use the man as a vessel to escape. When backup arrived,
Deadman caused him to shoot some of his associates.
He was killed.
Vashnu and Loomis (the dwarf who'd killed Lotus) visited
with Rama Kushna. Rama felt the end nearing.
Deadman approached as the citizens of Nanda Parbat left
the sacred land; the Sensei and his men had arrived.
Deadman entered and was promptly knocked unconscious.
When he awakened, Loomis showed him they were now a
part of an invasion army. |
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| Issue |
Deadman
4 (of 4) |
| Subtitle |
Circle
of Fire |
| Date |
June
1986 |
| Writer(s) |
Andrew
Helfer |
| Artist(s) |
Jose
Luis Garcia Lopez |
| storyline |
The
Sensei was in the lockup with them - not the man leading
the army, but the vessel he'd been using. The real "sensei"
(Jonah) was now tangible like Deadman. Brand was strung
up and to be shot. Vashnu pulled him down and took the
bullets instead. Boston headed into the cave where Rama's
spirit waited. The deity asked Deadman to carry on his
legacy, but Boston had caught a bullet and was fading.
He pulled himself into the pit where Rama first emerged
from the Earth and returned to his ghost state.
With snow beginning to fall in Nanda Parbat, Jonah entered
Rama's cave armed with the psi blasters. Deadman neared
him and became tangible. He pushed Jonah into the pit
where Rama destroyed him. Rama Kushna, though dying,
promised Deadman he would continue on.
The temple crumbled; Loomis went in for Boston. When
they neared the exit, they saw the Sensei order the
troops to fire. Deadman faded away while telling Loomis
to look after the children who'd been born in Nanda
Parbat.
The Sensei gathered his troops and headed home, leaving
the people of Nanda Parbat to the elements. When they
were out of site, a hover craft landed - Deadman had
possessed it's pilot. Everyone was taken away to cover.
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| Notes,
references to time, and chronology: |
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Cleveland
in issue 1: "We both know that you were murdered months
ago..." |
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Per the
letter column at the end of issue 1, any Deadman story written
between the original
Strange Adventures tales and this fall out of continuity.
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Vashnu,
Rama Kushna, and Jonah - the first "deadman" were
all killed. |
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