DCeased: Hope at World’s End is a surprise DC Digital First series. It takes place within the DCeased storyline (specifically within DCeased #5’s time jump). Its story will be told through fourteen chapters twice a month chronicling the fall of Earth. DCeased: Hope at World’s End Chapter 1 is a somber comic about the end and the heroes who tried to stop it. And with what’s going on in the real world, it feels rather odd.

This debut chapter is told from the perspective of Jimmy Olsen. He attempts to register what has happened with the spread of the Anti-Life Equation and the fall of the planet. From his perspective we see survives, the change, and watches the heroes do what they can. It’s hard to read this and not think of the news as a disease we can’t see stalks us all. It’s hard to read this and not think about the real-world heroes who are attempting to save us. And, it’s hard to read this and not think about the zombie-like masses who think nothing of themselves and attempt to drag society down with them.

It’s a case of bad timing for the series. It’s unknown when writer Tom Taylor began writing it but there’s an odd extreme reflection of what we see on the news or around us every day. The difference is, it’s clear that technology is the villain and you can see the infection here while the opposite holds true for both in our reality.

Taylor captures a somber tone. We witness the fall from Jimmy’s perspective and get a sense of what his mission is. It feels like running into battle knowing you won’t come out of it alive.

That sober reality is delivered beautifully by Dustin Nguyen‘s art with colors by Rex Lokus and lettering by Saida Temofonte. The team gives us an emotional roller coaster. They deliver the horror spreading and the reality of so many lives lost without going over the top. The faces of each character tells as much of the story as Taylor’s words. There’s also a solid use of not showing us much of the horror. Instead, our minds can fill in the gaps delivering the panic and fear of the story.

DCeased: Hope at World’s End Chapter 1 isn’t bad at all. It’s actually quite good. But, the timing of the release and some of what’s written echoes reality a bit too closely. It’s hard to take Superman as a serious hero when we have them front and center today. The escapism is marked by a dose of truth.

Story: Tom Taylor Art: Dustin Nguyen
Color: Rex Lokus Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review