If the first issue of DCeased was the start of the zombie outbreak, the second is our first look at what remains. DCeased #2 has the world melting down as the infection spreads and our heroes are caught off guard. It takes us around the DC Universe focusing on a half dozen heroes and how they’re impacted. Some, it’s just not good. But, for the reader, it’s all excellent.

Writer Tom Taylor delivers an emotional punch in the issue. And Taylor does so multiple times. We get to experience the meltdown of the world through the eyes of heroes who have little they can do to stop it. Tough decisions are made. Some are forced to kill. And who dies is shocking at times.

Taylor delivers a ride of an issue and knows how to execute the gut punch to the reader. The last few pages are heart wrenching. The detail and thought that he’s put in to each situation is clear. It’s also clear choices have been made to deliver the best reaction emotionally from the reader. This isn’t a “zombie” comic. It’s a really smart zombie comic who has a focus not just on scares but also to connect with the reader.

That’s helped by the art team of Trevor Hairsine, inker Stefano Guadiano, colorist Rain Beredo, and letterer Saida Temofonte. It’s easy to create a zombie comic full of gore and grim. This team is doing something a bit smarter. There’s a focus on the reaction of individuals. You can see the impact on their faces and their body movement and position. That tells as much of an impact as everything else. Beredo’s color and Guadiano’s inks set a horror and dour mood without making it too dark and scary. Temofonte’s lettering really drives home the inflection and emotion of it all.

The comic is a hell of a second issue. DCeased #2 improves upon the first issue taking us away from traditional tropes and instead uses them to focus on something else. The first issue was good. This second issue is great. What started out as a riff on something we’ve seen so many times before is turning in to something truly spectacular.

Story: Tom Taylor Art: Trevor Hairsine
Ink: Stefano Guadiano Color: Rain Beredo Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review