Summary
For over 50 years, oneJustice LeagueDark hero has been known as ‘unkillable,’ a distinction evenSupermanhasn’t achieved. However, this hero may have stumbled upon his own version of Kryptonite, endangering his immortal existence. And who is this hero? None other than the already deceased Deadman. You can’t kill what’s already dead… or can you?
Stabbing Deadman should be impossible given his dead and intangible nature, yet this new villain achieves it, disrupting Boston’s invulnerability.
The second installment of Tim Seeley, Kelley Jones, and Michelle Madsen’s Nightwing-centric saga,Down the Road, continues inBatman: The Brave and the Bold#14. This supernatural mystery follows Dick Grayson and Boston “Deadman” Brand as they travel the United States in pursuit of clues surrounding the apparition of a mysterious woman in red.
In the previous chapter ofDown the Road, readers were introduced to anew villain known as the Unfallen, who was shown stalking Dick and Boston during their journey. In issue #14,the Unfallen reveals himself to Deadman, hinting at his ability to potentially end the undead hero’s existence.
Deadman Gets His Personal Brand of Kryptonite via a New Villain Called The Unfallen
DuringNightwing and Deadman’s investigationof a secret circus, chaos erupts when a disgruntled fire-breather causes havoc, leading to the heroes' separation. While Dick focuses on evacuating bystanders to safety, Boston encounters the Unfallen.This mysterious figure makes his presence known by piercing Deadman’s chest with bony protrusionsthat are part of his natural physiology. Stabbing Deadman should be impossible given his dead and intangible nature, yet this new villain achieves it, disrupting Boston’s invulnerability. The Unfallen expresses surprise at his ability to harm Brand, suggesting it signifies his growing strength as he becomes “more real.”
This ominous statement raises several questions about the Unfallen, primarily, what exactly is he? It’s perplexing to grasp the idea that he was once ‘not real’ and is now becoming ‘more real,’ especially when he already appears very tangible. It also prompts the question of what kind of entity could possess the ability to stab a ghost. The Unfallen may have provided a partial answer to this query when he remarks, “…must be nice to hear from a god again.“This statement suggests that the Unfallen is some form of deity.
Nightwing’s New Origin Quote Needs to Make It to the Movies, Or We Riot
Nightwing’s new origin quote is peak movie material and NEEDS to be featured in DC’s upcoming live-action Teen Titans movie (and beyond).
SPOILER ALERT: Deadman Will Survive Seeley’s Mini-Series, But the Unfallen Could Return in Tom Taylor’sNightwingRun
Given the Unfallen’s ability to harm Deadman, his divine status, and his evolving materialization, it’s likely he already has or soon will acquire the power to potentially kill Boston. This introduces a unique vulnerability for Boston to confront. Compounding the intrigue, this story occurs beforeKnight Terrors,and a recent teaser forTom Taylor’sNightwing#116 hints at an upcoming partnershipbetween Dick and Boston. Hence, with this timeline in mind, fans know the Unfallen fails to permanently dispatchDeadmanin Seeley’s story; however, the possibility of the creature returning in Taylor’sNightwingseries remains a possibility.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #14is available now from DC Comics!
BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #14 (2024)
