Deadman

"*Promise me. I’ll go like this. I’ll go with purpose. With something—. With something I could be proud of. I’ve died before... I don’t want to die alone. Not again.*"
— Boston Brand (to Poison Ivy)

Deadman is the superhero name of Boston Brand, a ghost who died sometime in the mid-20th Century. This renders him totally immortal, but not all-powerful. That being said, he is one of the more unique members on the server, playing a (largely) invisible ghost.

## History

### Pre-Death

Boston was born some time in the late 1920's or early-to-mid 30's. He was a famous acrobat at the newly opened Haly's Circus. He was given the name "Deadman," for his life threatening stunts. He was an arrogant, self-loathing asshole, and that would lead to his demise. He was assassinated, the wires to his trapeze cut. He fell to the ground, and died instantly, all in his Deadman costume. His killer was never brought to justice.

### Vigilante

Deadman wasn't sure what to do with himself. For whatever reason, he could see the Heaven in the sky, but could never reach it himself. He was trapped on the globe, a terribly lonely place for a ghost. But, Boston learned humility. Hell, he even started helping others. It's not entirely clear when this change of character took place, but it most definitely happened before the 80's, as Boston has previously remarked that that was an odd time for crime fighting.

We also know that Deadman has teamed up with other heroes in the past. He is seemingly friends with the crime fighter and boxer, Wildcat. He also has mentioned John Constantine, hinting at the idea of a Justice League Dark like team.

### Meeting the Squad

Dead man was not introduced directly after the Quakes. Canonically, he was helping guide the many that died to Heaven. He was collected by Wildcat and Poison Ivy to help diagnose Kyd Wykkyd, who had been poisoned by the Atlantean villain, Fin. Deadman was able to diagnose Kyd, and not do much else. He also possessed, and jump-started, Amanda Waller's unconscious body. During all this, he befriended Poison Ivy, who he kept accidentally calling Red. He also gave her Deadman's Locket.

When Ivy was kidnapped, Deadman was the one that found her. He then helped attack Firefly, who was holding her captive, and torturing her. Deadman was also the one to free her, saving her life for the first time. This would be when Deadman and Ivy became proper friends, and Ivy officially let Boston call her Red. Afterward, Deadman stopped appearing for a small amount of time. During this absence, his friend Wildcat was attacked by the mysterious Ono. Deadman was called in by Ivy, using the locket, to help resuscitate him. On entering Wildcat's body, he encountered a terrible pain-- causing Wildcat's body to begin shaking, and Boston to have to release himself. Upon leaving the body, Boston's body was still aching, but his pain went subsided shortly. While inside Wildcat, though, he was able to help Ivy identify Wildcat's attacker.

Boston did not take nearly as long a break for his next appearance, though. Soon after, Boston walked, or rather glided, in on Ivy preparing to murder Carmine Falcone. Boston was able to talk Ivy down from killing him.

### Boston's Deterioration

The next appearance would, again, be Deadman helping Ivy. This time, Pam had gotten herself into trouble with Talon. She was lethally injured, and with no other choice, called for Deadman. Boston appeared beside her and quickly possessed her body, absorbing a large amount of her pain. This was just enough to keep her conscious, though Deadman passed out in the process. He was able to save her life, (it was later confirmed she would have died if not for his assistance) however, as Magpie arrived to save her, and bring her back to her Greenhouse.

Boston would regain consciousness some time after Magpie left, Ivy healing. He drops to the floor, shaking rapidly, and coughing up ectoplasm. He was also not able to keep a proper shape, his hands repeatedly phasing through the ground. Deadman was able to recover, in a short amount of time, however, and explained his heroic act to Ivy. He told her that he could not die (a lie that would later be exposed,) and that he wouldn't let anyone else perish on his watch.

Amanda then sent Deadman, Ivy and Captain Boomerang to her house, in order to get technology to help Bruce Wayne. While there, Deadman found a small statue of Ivy, which Amanda had hidden. Deadman also used his ghost abilities to cheat his way through the puzzles in the house.

After resting, Ivy goes on a walk. During said walk, Amanda walks into the greenhouse, where only Deadman is at the time. Amanda seems worried about Ivy, and Deadman joins her to search for her. They eventually find Ivy, who had just had an altercation with Talon. Boston plays good cop to Amanda's bad cop when questioning Ivy. Deadman does have a sudden switch in personality when learning that Ivy had seen Talon. Boston becomes cold and distant, and on the walk back to the base, he's unable to keep a conversation with Ivy, and stops calling her Red. When Ivy tries to connect with him and calm him down, and asks him what is wrong, he remains silent. Boston mentions his own death as well, with the line: "But some secrets are better to take to the grave... I would know.”

Some time later, The Outsiders had trouble with Arsenal, and knew that he escaped with Kyd. Ethan Bennett arrived at the greenhouse, wanting to know the location of Amanda's home. Deadman wanted to tell him, after hearing what Roy did to Alfred and Tim Drake. Boston convinced Ivy to tell Bennett. Deadman then goes to Amanda's house in order to get Roy before he can escape, but Boston was too late. He spent some time sulking afterward.

When Deadman returned, he found Ivy shutting herself off from the world (using a plant wall and vodka), and her being questioned by Amanda, and Carmine Falcone was also there. Boston attempted to deescalate the situation, though he failed. Falcone would later fall asleep, and Amanda would fall unconscious from her injuries. After Deadman and Ivy were (mostly) alone, Boston apologized to Ivy for being as distant as he was after Ivy's meeting Talon. Then, Ivy, in attempt to explain her life story, pulled out her scrapbook, and began to unload her biography. Deadman acted as Pam's shoulder to cry on, rather literally, as she began to cry whilst hugging him. Ivy asks her own question next, about what happened that night in the park. Boston could not tell her, but assured her it was nothing bad. Ivy then took the opportunity to present Boston Amanda's figurine of him. Boston did the same for Ivy, telling her that he thought of her as a hero.

## Relationships

* **Poison Ivy**: Poison Ivy was with Wildcat when they picked up Deadman. The two became friends, and Deadman is now the 4th human in the world allowed to call her Red.
* **Wildcat**: The two are most definitely friends from the "good old days." Not much has been seen of this relationship.

## Abilities

* **Possession**: Deadman can take control of someone's motor controls. The person who's body was taken can still speak if Deadman allows them to. Deadman will also feel the pain for anyone whom he possesses, but will not turn unconscious if the body is knocked out.
* **Matter-Phasing**: Deadman can phase straight through walls or other solid surfaces.
* **Speaking to the Dead**: Can communicate with and see other spirits.
* **Understanding of Magic**: Deadman is unable to cast magic himself. He does understand it though, and was able to diagnose Kyd Wykkyd when he was cursed.

## See also

**No Man's Land**

*36 Characters* | *10 Locations*