The Best of DC (Volume 1) with a cover date of July, 1982.
Synopsis for "You Can't Hide from a Deadman!"
This story is reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #86.
While busting up a crime scene, Batman is suddenly attacked by Robin, and then Commissioner Gordon and various people on the streets. Batman realizes it is actually Deadman who is possessing the bodies and attacking him. Fighting off all these attacks, Batman manages to convince Deadman to stop, and soon learns that his friend was hypnotized into attacking him by the evil Sensei.
Eventually, they learn that the Sensei plans to destroy Nanda Parbat. Batman and Deadman travel there and stop the Society of Assassins from destroying the land. Afterwards, Batman leaves, and Deadman is left wondering why he can only become a physical form in the realm of Namba Parbat.
Appearing in "You Can't Hide from a Deadman!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- The Society of Assassins
- Sensei
- Lotus
- Willie Smith
- Collins and his gang (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mr. Bates (Single appearance)
- Hill's Circus Performers
- Taj-Ze
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "Three Arrows Against Doom!"
This story is reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #9.
Prince John arrives in Nottingham during the great fair. He witnesses a group of men bidding on three arrows at auction. John inquires as to how three arrows merit such high bids. The auctioneer reveals that the three arrow are all connected to Robin Hood and his attempts to escape the Sheriff of Nottingham. Prince John announces to the gathered crowd that he has received word from the Sheriff that Robin is dead. The crowd is in shock but the auctioneer proceeds with his tale of the three arrows.
The auctioneer states that the first arrow was used by Robin to overcome twenty armed horsemen. Robin Hood was cornered by the Sheriffs men in a dry riverbed. The armed horsemen begin to charge towards Robin when he suddenly spots a boulder above him which controls the floodgate to a dam. Robin uses his first of three arrows to splice the rope which holds the boulder in place. Once the rope is broken the floodgate opens releasing a flood of water which engulfs the approaching horsemen. Robin swims to safety and escapes.
The auctioneer then reveals that the second arrow was used by Robin to make smoke travel downwards. A group of Robins men had been captured and were being held prisoner in a cabin. Robin noticed that the cabin was guarded by marksmen at every window awaiting his anticipated appearance. Robin then notices that there is smoke coming out of the cabins chimney. He takes off his shirt and dips it in water. He then wraps the wet shirt around his second arrow and shoots it perfectly into the chimney causing it to block the escaping smoke and trapping it in the chimney until it floods the cabin. The hiding marksmen come out coughing and Robin Hood is able to rescue his men unharmed.
The auctioneer finally comes to the third arrow and states that Robin Hood used it to make a whole castle surrender. Maid Merian had been captured and held prisoner in Grimm Castle. Robin arrives at the castle and sees that is is guarded by a moat of savage wild boars. He ties a rope to the third arrow and shoots it at Maid Marians window. He then climbs across the moat using the suspended rope to reach Marians window. Robin then uses his sword to open the door to the castle allowing the wild boars to go charging in wrecking havoc on the sheriffs men. He rescues Maid Marian and escapes.
Prince John declares that the auctioneers stories are ridiculous and that the sheriff has assured him that Robin is dead. The auctioneer then takes off his hood revealing him to be Robin himself in disguise. He tells the people that Prince John's rule is evil and he is not to be trusted and he then escapes into the forest laughing.
Appearing in "Three Arrows Against Doom!"
Featured Characters:
- Robin Hood (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Maid Marion (Flashback only)
Antagonists:
- Prince John
- Sheriff of Nottingham (Flashback only)
- Sir Osric (First appearance)
Locations:
Items:
- Robin Hood's Bow and Arrow
Synopsis for "Menace of the Mirage People"
This story is reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #38.
The Suicide Squad is captured by an alien mirage master who sets a test for them with his illusions. If they fail, he will use his mirages to create chaos in the Earth and conquer it.
Appearing in "Menace of the Mirage People"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Mirage Master (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Unnamed Desert
Synopsis for "Threat of the Ice King"
This story is reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #18.
In their travels across the icy peaks, Jon and his mute companion gain the attention of the wicked Ice King. Jon also must complete the fourth Task of Thor, which his minstrel vaguely writes, is to "awaken a sleeping rose".
Appearing in "Threat of the Ice King"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Ice King (Single appearance)
- Two-Headed Bear (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- The Rose Princess (Single appearance)
Locations:
- 10th Century
- Icy Peaks
- Ice King's Castle
- Ice King's Castle
- Icy Peaks
Synopsis for "The Sword in the Lake"
This story is reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #21.
The Silent Knight enters a tournament at Camelot, where he is pitted against the sorceress Morgan Le Fay's mysterious knight. So sure of her silent champion, Lady Celia readily accepts a bet from Morgan that should the Silent Knight lose, he will become her slave. But Morgan uses trickery, resulting in the Silent Knight failing the duel. Now he must do whatever Morgan asks until she sees fit to release him from his oath.
Appearing in "The Sword in the Lake"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
- England (6th Century)
- Greystone Castle
- Forest Perilous
- Camelot
Items:
- Silent Knight's Sword and Armor
- Golden Apple
- Necklace
Vehicles:
- Roma (Silent Knight's Steed)
Synopsis for "The Secret Beneath the Earth"
This story is reprinted from The Brave and the Bold #31.
A pair of mountain climbers spot an odd sight; a balloon rising out the mouth of an inactive volcano. Wind gusts blow it close enough for the climbers to see it has a note tied to it. It said that the writer had found something, but he was trapped and needs help. The men brought the note back with them to town square, where it brought the attention of Bulldozer Smith and Christie Madison, tunnel expert and geologist.
Appearing in "The Secret Beneath the Earth"
Featured Characters:
- Cave Carson (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Cave Carson's Team (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Magnetic Monster (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Underground
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- Mighty Mole (First appearance)
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Deadman Recommended Reading
- Strange Adventures (Volume 1) (1967)
- Adventure Comics (Volume 1): (1978)
- Deadman (Volume 1) (1985)
- Deadman (Volume 2) (1986)
- Action Comics (Volume 1): (1988)
- Deadman: Love After Death (Volume 1) (1989)
- Deadman: Exorcism (Volume 1) (1992)
- Lobo/Deadman: The Brave and the Bald (1995)
- Batman/Deadman: Death and Glory (1996)
- Deadman: Dead Again (Volume 1) (2001)
- Deadman (Volume 3) (2002)
- Deadman (Volume 4) (2006)
- Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love (Volume 1) (2016)
- Deadman (Volume 5) (2018)