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Deathblow: Collected Editions #vol. 1 #0-12
Deathblow (1993-1996): Deluxe Edition
A Deluxe Hardcover collection of the first twelve issues of the Deathblow series originally published by Image Comics and co-written and drawn by Jim Lee. Created by Lee and Brandon Choi (the creative team behind the best-selling Gen13 from Image), Deathblow is a hero and Black Ops agent from the Wildstorm Universe with the powers of immortality pulled into a deadly battle between good and evil.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1999
13 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Choi
253 books17 followersBrandon Choi is an American comic book writer who wrote several titles for Wildstorm Comics with his friend Jim Lee.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 7, 2024
Bought this collection a few years ago when Hastings went out of business. Just now read it. Loved it! Wish there was more of Jim Lee's art, but a young Tim Sale did a very great job taking over.
Why do we not see more of Deathblow? I plan to pick up digital editions of Deathblow #13 and #14. Then I need to look around for more Deathblow stories.
Why do we not see more of Deathblow? I plan to pick up digital editions of Deathblow #13 and #14. Then I need to look around for more Deathblow stories.
April 20, 2014
Thought about giving this book 3 stars. Ultimately felt like I enjoyed it more than that. LOVED Jim Lee's art work in the first few issues and Tim Sale did a good job finishing the story. Typically I like Sale's stuff, but following Lee's initial issues it took me an issue or two to warm up to him again. The story was your typical military action fare with a little religious Armageddon thrown in. I like charactes like Cray and Team 7 so this simple, covert action, tough guy stuff was good for me. It's kind of like Predator or Die Hard. Not going to win any awards for character development or being a comic book classic, but it was a fun, good looking bit of mindless entertainment.
December 12, 2018
Short run in the 90's and changing artists but overall enjoyable and consistent art and story.
December 27, 2014
When I was ten someone let me borrow Deathblow #17. The cover was great and it was just a guy pointing a gun toward the viewer, like saying 'thats all he has cuz thats all he needs'. I don't remember the story. But now I can read how it started, and it was not what I expected at all. Michael Cray is a black ops.. Something or other, who has a heavy conscious and regretful on the things he's done, and he is dying. He gets caught in the middle of a plot to bring about armageddon. He must help a nun save a boy, and keep him out of the hands of some creepy guy who will unleash the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse, and eventually Lucifer.
The last 4 issues were good. Somewhere in there theres a part where Cray is daydreaming as Sister Mary is driving, and she snaps him out of it by asking for change for the toll, they pay and are on their way.
Now a scene like that can tell you how the book took its time. And Brandon Choi wrote something that flowed a lot better then any other Wildstorm title Iv read. It was almost structured like a movie. Cray gets some help from some old Team 7 partners. And it feels natural, not like some crossover, or cheap guest appearance.
Now on to the bad. The first 8 issues. In its original issue form, issue 1 was split with Cybernary. So only 10 pgs were of Deathblow by Jim Lee, and it was Jim Lee art like you've never seen, heavy on the ink. But it was just Cray at a confessional. Issue 2 was 9pgs and it was a mission briefing. Issue 3 Tim Sale takes over and it takes a bit to get used to. ( and it feels like you were just betrayed.) Then it's 5 issues of characters being introduced and the story is set up, and some action here and there. And it was a little too drawn out.
Overall I feel like I will still reread it one day, years from now.
The last 4 issues were good. Somewhere in there theres a part where Cray is daydreaming as Sister Mary is driving, and she snaps him out of it by asking for change for the toll, they pay and are on their way.
Now a scene like that can tell you how the book took its time. And Brandon Choi wrote something that flowed a lot better then any other Wildstorm title Iv read. It was almost structured like a movie. Cray gets some help from some old Team 7 partners. And it feels natural, not like some crossover, or cheap guest appearance.
Now on to the bad. The first 8 issues. In its original issue form, issue 1 was split with Cybernary. So only 10 pgs were of Deathblow by Jim Lee, and it was Jim Lee art like you've never seen, heavy on the ink. But it was just Cray at a confessional. Issue 2 was 9pgs and it was a mission briefing. Issue 3 Tim Sale takes over and it takes a bit to get used to. ( and it feels like you were just betrayed.) Then it's 5 issues of characters being introduced and the story is set up, and some action here and there. And it was a little too drawn out.
Overall I feel like I will still reread it one day, years from now.
July 23, 2018
Primer tomo que recoge el primer arco argumental de la saga protagonizada por Michael Cray, asesino a las órdenes del O.I. y que comienza con la intención de beber gráficamente de Sin City, pero termina luciendo el increíble buen hacer de Tim Sale, un dibujante que a mediados de los noventa anticipaba de lo que sería más adelante capaz con obras como Batman:: The Long Halloween o Daredevil: Yellow (por citar solo dos).
La aventura comienza con ínfulas de Rambo y Die Hard, pero termina con un aire más a lo Doc Savage por lo pulp del argumento y de su cierre. No desagrada en absoluto, pero se nota que el guión no es de Garth Ennis ni de Grant Morrison a la hora de convertir a Cray en un Punisher supremo, que era lo que parecía pretender Jim Lee.
En cuanto a la edición, tiene una traducción normal tirando a buena. PEro lo cierto es que tal como lo edita Norma, es imposible que puntúe cuatro estrellas, que era mi intención. Los derechos de la serie recaen en ECC Comics en la fecha en que termino de leer la saga, y si aparece una edición de esta saga, será mil veces más aconsejable.
Por el precio de este tomo, es incomprensible que se realice una edición que, por mucho cuidado que uno tenga, termina despegándose el lomo. A estas alturas del siglo XXI, basta con echar un vistazo a los TPB USA para ver que no es tan difícil hacer una buena edición que no se te desmonte a la que vayas por la mitad del tomo.
Por fortuna para el impresor, Norma omite su nombre en los créditos y se limita a un escueto "Printed in EU".
Aun con todo, yo me hice con este tomo y el siguiente gracias a que se saldaron (los encontré en Bibliostock). Pero obviamente, para mi colección adquiriré o bien el TPB original USA, o bien toco madera en pro de una edición de ECC Comics en cartoné que dignifique la obra.
La aventura comienza con ínfulas de Rambo y Die Hard, pero termina con un aire más a lo Doc Savage por lo pulp del argumento y de su cierre. No desagrada en absoluto, pero se nota que el guión no es de Garth Ennis ni de Grant Morrison a la hora de convertir a Cray en un Punisher supremo, que era lo que parecía pretender Jim Lee.
En cuanto a la edición, tiene una traducción normal tirando a buena. PEro lo cierto es que tal como lo edita Norma, es imposible que puntúe cuatro estrellas, que era mi intención. Los derechos de la serie recaen en ECC Comics en la fecha en que termino de leer la saga, y si aparece una edición de esta saga, será mil veces más aconsejable.
Por el precio de este tomo, es incomprensible que se realice una edición que, por mucho cuidado que uno tenga, termina despegándose el lomo. A estas alturas del siglo XXI, basta con echar un vistazo a los TPB USA para ver que no es tan difícil hacer una buena edición que no se te desmonte a la que vayas por la mitad del tomo.
Por fortuna para el impresor, Norma omite su nombre en los créditos y se limita a un escueto "Printed in EU".
Aun con todo, yo me hice con este tomo y el siguiente gracias a que se saldaron (los encontré en Bibliostock). Pero obviamente, para mi colección adquiriré o bien el TPB original USA, o bien toco madera en pro de una edición de ECC Comics en cartoné que dignifique la obra.
March 24, 2015
Love the artwork. Both Tim Sale and Jim Lee did a wonderful job with it. Very Frank Miller like. The story leaves a bit to be desired but it is an enjoyable enough of a read and the artwork alone is worth turning the pages for.
June 21, 2017
I loved it at first when Jim Lee was doing the artwork. After that the coloring didn't mesh well and it just looked. cartoonish and ugly to me and this made me lose interest somewhat.
December 21, 2018
It was in 1992 when 7 popular comic artist (Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Jim Valentino & Whilce Portacio) form Image Comics. In 1993, a new imprint called Darker Image show casing what they call a darker side of heroes with an anthology of three stories in a single issue featuring Sam Keith's Maxx, Jim Lee's Deathblow and Rob Liefeld's Bloodwulf. It was intended to be a 4 issue mini-series... but only the first was released and no more.
During a book sale, I found a copy of Deathblow deluxe edition for a very good price and I remembered more than 2 decades ago, I had mixed feelings about it after I read all 12 issues. Now, re-reading this edition not only brings out the good old days but also, what I finally understood the feelings then I go through that now I realize how badly written this comic turn out to be.
Deathblow is Michael Cray, a Team 7 soldier that is dying of cancer. On a mission to kill a dictator in Costa Mesa, he stumbles upon some thing supernatural and later in Baghdad, a similar occurrence happened but he killed a priest in the process. As the story flows, the whole story became biblical with words like armageddon, the release of Prince of Darkness, Black Angel, demons and four horsemen of apocalypse and every thing else from a military kind of story turns into a supernatural end of the world tale. I do have a big problem with such a change and in many ways, here's my complain.
The story is terrible. There's nothing really interesting when it comes to the plot itself. I had watched and read many stories about armageddon and this is probably one that feels like a fan boy trying very hard writing such a story. The dialogue is horrible. Its hard not to laugh it out and not easy to accept it that it feels forced when I read the exchange of words between the characters. And then of course, there is the style of writing - I just feel like maybe its paying a homage to Frank Miller's style of writing but trying too hard to copy that style. I feel so disappointed when I found out its written by Brandon Choi that this is not his best. Its laughable how terrible the execution and structure turns out to be that I just bear with it as I read it.
The art on the other hand for the first few pages is done by Jim Lee and a style seriously, again, trying to be like Frank Miller's Sin City. I mean, if this is another artist, I can say its a terrible copy. Although I love Jim Lee, this doesn't do too well in it. When Tim Sale took over the penciling chores, I feel this is not his best at all. There are moments where the eye can sustain the joy of looking but some times, it doesn't at all.
Deathblow is a mess. Its a mess trying to wow young comic readers for the art, not the story. For me, although its terrible, it does have some certain quality love towards it if I overlook the flaws (too many) of this book. For a cheap hardcover edition I paid for that doesn't cost a lot, I can say the price I paid that is cheap, is worth the price of the comic.
September 7, 2020
The first person narration alone puts this story way above regular action comics. The main character is a troubled individual who regrets his life as a mercenary, but is unable to escape it because he is a target. The religious overtones add a supernatural element to the story. This part is mostly bombastic dialogue, bloodthirsty demons and warrior monks, so it's not too mature. This is still the 90's, let's not forget. It builds up to the final confrontation that is all you can expect - death, destruction and the spark of hope that fixes everything. The ending devolves into mediocre urban fantasy, sadly - demons that want to bring Lucifer to Earth. It's a bit of a let-down really.
Michael Cray, codename Deathblow, is one deadly individual. He has bathed his life in blood, but the weight of all the killing has started to push him into a depression. Cray almost prays for death to stop the pain he feels in his soul and the deterioration of his health on top of it. He must put these thoughts in the back of his head to survive. His next mission is a run-of-the-mill assault in Iraq. Unknown to them an Iraqi commander has awakened something dangerous and supernatural. It has triggered the involvement of the Vatican as well.
Michael Cray, codename Deathblow, is one deadly individual. He has bathed his life in blood, but the weight of all the killing has started to push him into a depression. Cray almost prays for death to stop the pain he feels in his soul and the deterioration of his health on top of it. He must put these thoughts in the back of his head to survive. His next mission is a run-of-the-mill assault in Iraq. Unknown to them an Iraqi commander has awakened something dangerous and supernatural. It has triggered the involvement of the Vatican as well.
January 13, 2025
A b-movie with all that comes with it. High test action and low regard for plot. Inconsistent tone between the Lee and Sale work, kind of apes Frank Miller then takes on Sales interpretation of Kirby/Mignola. The standard Jim Lee covers are a highlight as is Sale's figure work. Despite the score I enjoyed it, but I have a 30 year old connection to this series... I'd advise the uninitiated to stay away.
August 13, 2019
Contrary to the description, there's not much Jim Lee here.
He only drew two issues and some covers. The majority of the work is done by Tim Sale and like Jim Lee he's not yet at his best yet. It's a biblical story of a hardened blackops mercenary redeeming himself in the battle with Satan's minions. Of interest mainly because of its loose ties to the wider Wildstorm universe.
He only drew two issues and some covers. The majority of the work is done by Tim Sale and like Jim Lee he's not yet at his best yet. It's a biblical story of a hardened blackops mercenary redeeming himself in the battle with Satan's minions. Of interest mainly because of its loose ties to the wider Wildstorm universe.
December 23, 2019
The story is boring and the art is mediocre at best. Don't let the names tied to the book trick you into reading it like it did for me. I would say artistically is some of Jim Lee and Tim Sale's worst work.
December 9, 2020
Holy shit that took forever to finish 🙄
I can’t even remember when I actually started it, but it was a while ago.
When this series first hit, I got issue #2. I was a skinny kid, into guitar and video games. I never bought into the machismo thing in any capacity . . . except comics. I ate shit like Wolverine and Punisher up. The Maxx, Pitt, there were a bunch of new, edgy characters hitting the shelves, and Deathblow fit right in with the crowd.
I remember liking the issue enough to want to read more.
But I lived in the middle of nowhere, and when it came to comics, you got whatever was left at the drug store 30 miles away after it had been picked over by all the local kids in that area. Some months I’d get a Wolverine if I was lucky. Sometimes Darkness. Whatever they had.
I never saw an issue of Deathblow again, and that made me want it more.
Then I found out it was steeped in Judeo-Christian mythology, and I am a sucker for that too. I’m not religious, but religion and religious tropes and icons fascinate me.
So I picked it up.
Man, it is dense. Just a lot of writing for a comic. I kept picking it up as my “light” read, and then remembering it wasn’t a light read.
But that doesn’t make it bad.
The artwork is awesome too. I recall it changing about 70% in. The art became brighter and more vibrant, less gritty. That was kind of a bummer actually.
Overall it was a decent story. A bit heavy on the machismo bs at times, but that comes with the territory.
Sort of a deus ex machina epilogue here as well, but that is forgivable too.
I see there are like 8 more issues or so in the series after this arc. I bought #13, but me and Deathblow need a break for a bit.
I can’t even remember when I actually started it, but it was a while ago.
When this series first hit, I got issue #2. I was a skinny kid, into guitar and video games. I never bought into the machismo thing in any capacity . . . except comics. I ate shit like Wolverine and Punisher up. The Maxx, Pitt, there were a bunch of new, edgy characters hitting the shelves, and Deathblow fit right in with the crowd.
I remember liking the issue enough to want to read more.
But I lived in the middle of nowhere, and when it came to comics, you got whatever was left at the drug store 30 miles away after it had been picked over by all the local kids in that area. Some months I’d get a Wolverine if I was lucky. Sometimes Darkness. Whatever they had.
I never saw an issue of Deathblow again, and that made me want it more.
Then I found out it was steeped in Judeo-Christian mythology, and I am a sucker for that too. I’m not religious, but religion and religious tropes and icons fascinate me.
So I picked it up.
Man, it is dense. Just a lot of writing for a comic. I kept picking it up as my “light” read, and then remembering it wasn’t a light read.
But that doesn’t make it bad.
The artwork is awesome too. I recall it changing about 70% in. The art became brighter and more vibrant, less gritty. That was kind of a bummer actually.
Overall it was a decent story. A bit heavy on the machismo bs at times, but that comes with the territory.
Sort of a deus ex machina epilogue here as well, but that is forgivable too.
I see there are like 8 more issues or so in the series after this arc. I bought #13, but me and Deathblow need a break for a bit.
November 10, 2018
Military, espionage, mystic sci-fi. Illustrations in the heavy line Frank Miller tradition. Fun to read and look at.
May 9, 2020
Did not enjoy
January 15, 2022
-"I can't beat him.He's not human"
-"Then be a MAN.At least die trying "
What a ride!
-"Then be a MAN.At least die trying "
What a ride!
September 17, 2024
Libro de historietas con ISBN propio. Colección Archivos.
January 31, 2025
The story and art was very confusing. There were times I had no idea what was happening. Not a fan of Tim Sale in the slightest when I read this
January 25, 2021
Had never heard of “Deathblow” character before. Took risk with online sale bargain of $13. Deathblow is like blend of Marvel’s Punisher & DC’s Deathstroke. The beginning is excellent. (Jim Lee does superior realistic military art for first two issues) When Tim Sale does the remaining art, it’s just OK. At 12 issues, it often felt too long. Parts of story got silly and 1990’s dated.
(The evil forces trying to bring on apocalypse, was little “Hellboy” meets “Ghostbusters”)
(The evil forces trying to bring on apocalypse, was little “Hellboy” meets “Ghostbusters”)
November 25, 2016
Despite a somewhat rough start, Deathblow ended up becoming one of the better early Image Comics titles, thanks in large part to the issues collected in this volume.
Deathblow: Sinners & Saints collects issues 1-12 of the ongoing Deathblow series, which focused on Michael Cray, aka Deathblow, a black ops warrior with a bloody past, a guilty conscience, and a disease that leaves him with very little time left to live. This series was obviously born of superstar artist Jim Lee's joint fascination with Richard Marcinko novels and Frank Miller's groundbreaking Sin City work. The first couple of issues, which were drawn by Lee, featured an abundance of military jargon and artwork that was extremely similar to the black and white style found in Sin City. They basically established Cray as a warrior without peer in a military unit known for doing the government's dirty work.
How that turned into a series about the Antichrist and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is anybody's guess.
The story took a radical turn in issue 3, in which the Black Angel (who for some reason looks a lot like Trent Reznor) was released from Purgatory, where he was imprisoned by the holy Order of the Cross. Seriously, the story became ½ black ops and ½ supernatural horror. Weird, but writer Brandon Choi makes it work. Cray is forced to reconcile the events in his past and lead the fight against the Black Angel and his Horsemen. In a nice turn of events, Cray's former Team 7 mates reunite to lend a hand. The Team 7 back story is really what ties the Wildstorm Universe together, so seeing them together again, particularly in such a spectacular fashion, is a real treat.
The artwork from issue 3 forward was provided by former Grendel artist Tim Sale. He would later become a major name in the industry with his work on Batman: the Long Halloween and several other projects with writer Jeph Loeb, but this was where he made his mainstream debut. He obviously started out with the same Miller worship that Lee brought to the series, but established his own unique style soon enough.
Overall, this was a good series and makes a nice trade paperback. Looking back a decade later it's easy to see the flaws in a lot of these Image books, but I think Deathblow holds up pretty well. My only complaint about this volume is that it did not include the Deathblow preview story that ran in the Darker Image one-shot. Not only did it feature Jim Lee artwork, but it was also the character's first appearance, and should have been included here.
Deathblow: Sinners & Saints collects issues 1-12 of the ongoing Deathblow series, which focused on Michael Cray, aka Deathblow, a black ops warrior with a bloody past, a guilty conscience, and a disease that leaves him with very little time left to live. This series was obviously born of superstar artist Jim Lee's joint fascination with Richard Marcinko novels and Frank Miller's groundbreaking Sin City work. The first couple of issues, which were drawn by Lee, featured an abundance of military jargon and artwork that was extremely similar to the black and white style found in Sin City. They basically established Cray as a warrior without peer in a military unit known for doing the government's dirty work.
How that turned into a series about the Antichrist and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is anybody's guess.
The story took a radical turn in issue 3, in which the Black Angel (who for some reason looks a lot like Trent Reznor) was released from Purgatory, where he was imprisoned by the holy Order of the Cross. Seriously, the story became ½ black ops and ½ supernatural horror. Weird, but writer Brandon Choi makes it work. Cray is forced to reconcile the events in his past and lead the fight against the Black Angel and his Horsemen. In a nice turn of events, Cray's former Team 7 mates reunite to lend a hand. The Team 7 back story is really what ties the Wildstorm Universe together, so seeing them together again, particularly in such a spectacular fashion, is a real treat.
The artwork from issue 3 forward was provided by former Grendel artist Tim Sale. He would later become a major name in the industry with his work on Batman: the Long Halloween and several other projects with writer Jeph Loeb, but this was where he made his mainstream debut. He obviously started out with the same Miller worship that Lee brought to the series, but established his own unique style soon enough.
Overall, this was a good series and makes a nice trade paperback. Looking back a decade later it's easy to see the flaws in a lot of these Image books, but I think Deathblow holds up pretty well. My only complaint about this volume is that it did not include the Deathblow preview story that ran in the Darker Image one-shot. Not only did it feature Jim Lee artwork, but it was also the character's first appearance, and should have been included here.
May 15, 2018
I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this book!
It’s hit and miss with me and certain ‘90 flavored comics.
I read Watchman in high school in ‘91 and loved it. Then I didn’t pick up another comic for 20+ years.
A lot changed.l in the interim.
The creativity in this book captured me from the first page. The collaborative art work fit so well with the story that it stunned me.
I’ve heard comparisons that Deathblow is a cross between Bloodshot and the Punisher, writing of two well known characters that most know, at least by name.
I didn’t see that.
This was a fresh character. The plot was fresh, too.
Yes, the plot could be based on a thousand other plots, but there was a twist here, a tweak there, a fresh angle almost everywhere.
The idea that there are no original ideas is not true in this book.
I thought it was fresh and interesting. The writing brought a profoundly distrusted and disturbed character to light in an appealing way.
After I finished reading, I went out and bought a few more books about Deathblow. They were not by the same creators.
I didn’t care for the character.
There was something to this book.
I’ll have to read it again to put my proverbial finger on it, but that’s how I know it’s a good book.
I want to read it again.
It’s hit and miss with me and certain ‘90 flavored comics.
I read Watchman in high school in ‘91 and loved it. Then I didn’t pick up another comic for 20+ years.
A lot changed.l in the interim.
The creativity in this book captured me from the first page. The collaborative art work fit so well with the story that it stunned me.
I’ve heard comparisons that Deathblow is a cross between Bloodshot and the Punisher, writing of two well known characters that most know, at least by name.
I didn’t see that.
This was a fresh character. The plot was fresh, too.
Yes, the plot could be based on a thousand other plots, but there was a twist here, a tweak there, a fresh angle almost everywhere.
The idea that there are no original ideas is not true in this book.
I thought it was fresh and interesting. The writing brought a profoundly distrusted and disturbed character to light in an appealing way.
After I finished reading, I went out and bought a few more books about Deathblow. They were not by the same creators.
I didn’t care for the character.
There was something to this book.
I’ll have to read it again to put my proverbial finger on it, but that’s how I know it’s a good book.
I want to read it again.
June 24, 2016
Jim Lee and Tim Sale deliver a grim story done in a dark graphic style, similar in some ways to Frank Miller. More colour, though.
The story is a bit too religious for my liking, but is nicely structured featuring details that are only explained later using flash backs. The unravelling of the story went very quickly in the end. They should have used a few more issues to finish the story properly.
It's a nice read and kept me off the streets for a few hours, but it's definitely not an essential read.
The story is a bit too religious for my liking, but is nicely structured featuring details that are only explained later using flash backs. The unravelling of the story went very quickly in the end. They should have used a few more issues to finish the story properly.
It's a nice read and kept me off the streets for a few hours, but it's definitely not an essential read.
December 13, 2016
A prime example of 1990s style comic book insanity. The main character is drawn with a giant muscled body and a teeny tiny head. There is seemingly wall to wall ultra violence. The coloring is washed out or even monotone at times, and there seems to be a big Frank Miller influence here. The plot is pretty wacky too. Somehow I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
November 23, 2022
I found it so difficult to actually see what was happening on the page, in some of the chapters, because the colours of the characters and creatures are so similar. Everything seems to meld together, like there’s no separation between one character and another. And the story and art in this are bad. I know that some of the art is ‘stylised’ but it just doesn’t work.
July 29, 2013
There were a few good moments, mostly thanks to the appearances of other Team 7 members. Their interractions are always good but the whole thing with Cray's ex-wife was just NO and I think the writers tried too hard with the whole Black Angel-Armageddon-Judo-Christian-mythology theme.
March 12, 2015
Violence for the sake of it, is trite.
January 28, 2024
Tomo 1 de los 2 dedicados a Deathblow en los Archivos Wildstorm.
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