Deathblow (comics): Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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{{Infobox comics character
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|character_name=Deathblow
|real_name=Michael Cray
|publisher=[[Wildstorm]] ([[DC Comics]])
|debut= ''[[Darker Image]]'' #1 (March 1993)
|creators=[[Jim Lee]] and [[Brandon Choi]]
|alliances=Team 6<br>[[Team 7]]<br>[[Gen 12]]<br>[[International Operations]]<br>[[Stormwatch (comics)|Stormwatch]]<br> Team LaSport
|aliases=
|powers= *Hand-to-hand combatant
|powers=Accelerated healing factor<br>[[Psychokinesis]]▼
*Expert marksman
▲|powers=*Accelerated healing factor<br>[[Psychokinesis]]
*[[Psychokinesis]]
}}
'''Deathblow''' is a [[fictionalcomic book character]] in the {{[[Wildstorm Universe}}]]. He first appears in ''[[Darker Image]]'' #1 (March 1993) and was created by [[Jim Lee]] and [[Brandon Choi]].
==Fictional character biography==
'''Michael Cray''' was born to USU.S. Navy Admiral Phillip James Cray and Elizabeth Cray. He has a brother named Alexander. Michael Cray's daughter is Rachel Goldman, akaa.k.a. [[Sublime (Wildstorm)|Sublime]], a member of [[DV8]]. After his parents were slain by terrorists, he joins the USU.S. military to avenge their deaths. He became a [[Navy SEAL]] prior to being transferred to International Operation's newly formed [[Team 7]]. Like all members of that group, he was a highly experienced Special Forces operative. The team had been sent on a mission (or so they believed), when in reality they were sent to be exposed to the [[Gen-Active#Gen-Active humans|Gen Factor]] by [[International Operations#Miles Craven|Miles Craven]] (head of I.O.). Unlike the other surviving members of Team 7 (not everyone survived the exposure to the gen factor treatment), Michael's powers did not manifest until many years later. Despite the lack of power, he would fight for his teammates, such as taking a Naval officer hostage when the other powered- members of Team 7 were literally being nuked as a test (they got through, though). When the majority of Team 7 went underground (with their families), Cray continues to serve I.O. (as did Lynch, Dane &and Backlash). Miles Craven assigns Cray to the Special Operations Group. He did many wetwork and blackbag assignments for them.
<!-- Commented out: [[Image:Deathblow 1.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Cover of ''Deathblow'' (vol. 2) #1 (Story by [[Brian Azzarello]] and art by [[Carlos D'Anda]])]] -->
Michael Cray left I.O. when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He wanted to atone himself for all the innocent men and women he had killed during his missions. He got his chance when he became involved with the ''Order of the Cross''. Their adversary, the Black Angel, awoke a demonic entity bent on killing a young boy with miraculous abilities. It turned out that Cray's cancer was, in fact, a result of the Gen -Factor, giving him regenerative abilities. It would also give him the ability to manifest psionic shields to protect himself, but he could not control it and was not even aware it existed. Cray defeated the Black Angel with the help of Sister Mary, a former police officer turned nun, Gabrielle D'Angelo, his ex-wife who had become a vessel for the archangel Gabriel, and several of his Team 7 colleagues. After the death of the Black Angel, the young child restored the damage he had done by rewriting reality, but in the new reality, Gabrielle had died during their honeymoon.
Michael spends time working for Rayna Masters, who ran a bodyguard agency called 'Executive Protection Services'. Cray then is involved in the ''Brothers Inin ArmArms'' incident, as Craven goes after all the surviving members of Team 7. Cray also deals with alien forces (the Daemonites), who are pursuing keys to an ancient warship. On a Team 7 mission long ago, Cray had actually found one of the keys, sticking up out of the mud and took it as a 'souvenir'.
Deathblow dies during the [[Fire From Heaven (comics)|Fire From Heaven]] event, sacrificing himself in order to kill Damocles, the villain from that crossover.<ref>''Deathblow'' #29</ref>
After the events of [[Captain Atom: Armageddon]] and the [[Worldstorm]], Deathblow was revived and began starring in his own series, ''Deathblow'' Volume(vol. 2''), written by [[Brian Azzarello]] with art by [[Carlos D'Anda]].
During [[World's End (comics)|World's End]], heDeathblow is part of [[Stormwatch: Post Human Division#World's End|Stormwatch: Post Human Division]] leading missions on a post-apocalyptic Earth.<ref>''Stormwatch It- PHD's' #17 (2009)</ref> It is also revealed that, despite being known as "powerless" in the Worldstorm continuity, his [[healing factor]] has evolved to a staggering level: because of his healing factor, [[immortalityImmortality|he can'tcannot die]] because his body keeps regenerating himselfhim, even after receiving wounds deep enough to shut down his biological functions. Jackson King suggested he could even regenerate "from a scrap of DNA."
==Genevieve Cray==
In the three-issue mini-seriesminiseries, ''Deathblow: Byblows'' (1999–2000), written by [[Alan Moore]] with art by [[Jim Baikie]], it is revealed that I.O. created several variant clones of each Team 7 member, using the [[DNA]] collected from them without their knowledge. In the event of a Team 7 member's death, his clones are released in a simulated environment with the intention that only one survivesurvives to act as the member's replacement. However, the series is concerned with Deathblow's clones only. The clones were:
*Genevieve Cray -— a bald female and the series' protagonist.
*Klaus Cray -— a [[cyborg]].
*John-Joe and Joe-John Cray -— two child clones.
*Michael Cray, Jr. -— apparently a true clone.
*Damon Cray -— a teenage clone.
*Caleb Cray -— half-man, half-baboon.
*Judgment Cray -— a clone with an [[XYY syndrome|extra Y chromosone]].
*Gemma Cray -— an expert poisoner.
*Cynthia Cray -— a telepath and precognitive.
All were killed by Judgment except for Genevieve, who killed Judgment and escaped from the laboratory where they were created, and Klaus Cray, who was captured by Genevieve and later killed by John-Joe and Joe-John Cray. Gemma, Cynthia, and Michael Cray, Jr., are never shown alive due to being killed by Judgment Cray before the protagonists discovered them. Genevieve later joined up with [[Sublime (Wildstorm)|Sublime]], Michael Cray's daughter, and a few of her [[DV8]] teammates.
==DC's ''The New 52''==
Deathblow appears for the first time in the DC reboot in ''[[Grifter (comics)|Grifter]]'''s new series, making a team with [[Cheshire (comics)|Cheshire]],<ref>''Grifter'' (vol. 3) #9 (July 2012)</ref> but later, was betrayed by her revealing she was an undercover agent for [[Helspont]]. Captured in Helspont's spaceship, he managed to escape and team- up with Grifter to stop his plans.<ref>''Grifter'' (vol. 3) #12 (October 2012)</ref>
Deathblow also appears in ''Teen Titans'' (vol. 4) #23.2,: "''Deathstroke"''. He is first seen competing for an assassination with [[Deathstroke]]. The two men engage in combat, but Cray is overpowered and knocked down while Deathstroke finishes the job. He is later seen in Deathstroke's flashback, where Cray holdshas Wilson's back in a battlefield while Wilson sets off a bomb. However, the detonation site turns out to be a children's hospital, which led to Wilson's resignation from the army.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 4) #23.2: ''Deathstroke'' (September 2013)</ref>
==The Wild Storm==
Michael Cray is an IO operative for Miles Craven, sent to assassinate Jacob Marlowe, the head of Halolife Industries. The attempt thwarted by several unforeseen factors, such as Marlowe being an alien, the unexpected intervention of Angelica Spica, and Michael having superpowers he had not previously known about. While being questioned by Craven, Michael suddenly collapses.<ref>''The Wildstorm'' #1 (2017)</ref> Having himself medically examined, Michael learns he has an inoperable brain tumor.<ref>''The Wildstorm'' #2 (2017)</ref> Craven offers Michael continued medical support, provided Michael goes after Spica, but Michael begins to have qualms about his employer's motives on seeing a recording of Spica. Craven immediately withdraws any support and sends an assassination squad after Michael. With assistance from Christine Trelane, Michael is able to kill them, with Trelane offering him a new job.<ref>''The Wildstorm'' #4-6 (2017)</ref>
{{Update|date=August 2017}}
Michael then moves to San Francisco, assisting Trelane's agenda while fighting malevolent versions of Oliver Queen, Barry Allen and Arthur Curry. While doing do, he discovers his powers and the tumor are the result of being implanted with Daemon biology many years ago, with the Daemon gaining increasing control over him. Michael becomes drawn into a plot involving a man named John Constantine and Diana Prince, who is convinced she is the daughter of the Greek gods and wishes to summon them to Earth. Finally acquiescing to the Daemon's control, Michael defeats Prince and leaves Trelane's employment.<ref>''Michael Cray'' #1-12 (2017-2018</ref>
==Publications==▼
A new ''Deathblow'' (vol.2) series began on October 25, 2006,<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=6062 DC Comics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> with the second issue out a month later. Issue #9 (February 2008) appears to be the last of this series, ending with the 'death' of the character.<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=6254 DC Comics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>▼
Michael then returns to New York City during a mass outbreak of metahumans experimented on by IO and Skywatch. He intervenes in Marc Slayton's attempt on Craven's life, killing the man with his death touch. He tells Craven to leave him alone, but Craven, in the middle of a paranoid breakdown, shoots Michael through the head, instantly killing him.<ref>''The Wildstorm'' #24 (2018)</ref>
===Collected editions===▼
[[Trade paperback (comics)|Trade paperbacks]] include:
▲==Publications==
*''Deathblow: Sinners and Saints'' [volume one] (by [[Brandon Choi]], [[Jim Lee]] and [[Tim Sale (artist)|Tim Sale]], trade paperback collects ''Deathblow'' #1-12, [[1993 in comics|1993]]-[[1995 in comics|1995]], [[WildStorm]]/[[DC Comics]], 256 pages, [[1999 in comics|1999]], {{ISBN|1-56389-547-1}}), ''Deathblow trade paperback'' Softcover: 272 pages collects Deathblow vol. 1 #0-12 & Darker Image #1, ''Deathblow Deluxe Edition'' Hardcover: 272 pages, collects Deathblow vol. 1 0-12 & Darker Image #1.
▲A new ''Deathblow'' (vol. 2) series began on October 25, 2006,<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=6062 DC Comics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> with the second issue out a month later. Issue #9 (February 2008) appears to bewas the last issue of this series, ending with the 'death' of the character.<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=6254 DC Comics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Publisher: DC Comics; Deluxe edition (March 25, 2014) [Language: English]({{ISBN|1401247601}},{{ISBN|978-1401247607}}) <ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=1739 ''Deathblow: Sinners and Saints'' trade details at DC]</ref>▼
A 12-issue series titled ''Michael Cray'' was published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint in 2017–2018.
▲=== Collected editions= ==
*''Deathblow/[[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]'' [volume two] (by [[Aron Wiesenfeld]] and [[Richard Bennett Lamas|Richard Bennett]], [[Image Comics]]/[[WildStorm]], 64 pages, [[1997 in comics|1997]], {{ISBN|1-887279-61-X}})
{| class="wikitable"
*''[[Batman]]/Deathblow: After the Fire'' [volume three] (by [[Brian Azzarello]], [[Lee Bermejo]], [[Tim Bradstreet]], and [[Mick Gray]], 160 pages, [[2003 in comics|2003]], [[Titan Books]], {{ISBN|1-84023-664-7}}, [[WildStorm]]/[[DC Comics]], {{ISBN|1-4012-0034-6}})<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=3945 ''Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire'' trade details at DC]</ref>
|+
*''Deathblow Byblows'' [volume four] (by [[Alan Moore]] and [[Jim Baikie]], 3-issue mini-series, 1999–2000, collected in ''Wild Worlds'', [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]], 320 pages, [[Titan Books]], July 2007, {{ISBN|1-84576-559-1}}, [[Wildstorm]], May 2007, {{ISBN|1-4012-1379-0}})
!Title
*''Deathblow: ...And Then You Live'' [volume five] (by [[Brian Azzarello]], [[Carlos D'Anda]] and [[Henry Flint]], collects ''Deathblow'' Volume 2 #1-9, August 2008, {{ISBN|1-4012-1515-7}})<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=9778 ''... And The You Live'' trade details at DC]</ref>
!Material
!Publication date
!ISBN
|-
|''Deathblow: Sinners and Saints''
|''Deathblow'' (vol. 1) #1-12
|November 1999
▲Publisher: DC Comics; Deluxe edition (March 25, 2014) [Language: English]({{ISBN|1401247601}},{{ISBNISBNT|978-14012476071563895470}}) <ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=1739 ''Deathblow: Sinners and Saints'' trade details at DC]</ref>
|-
|''Deathblow Deluxe Edition''
|''Deathblow'' (vol. 1) #0-12, ''Darker Image'' #1
|March 2014
|{{ISBNT|978-1401247607}}
|-
|''Deathblow/Wolverine''
|''Deathblow/Wolverine #1-2''
|August 1997
|{{ISBNT|978-1887279611}}
|-
|''Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire''<ref>Also released as a Deluxe Edition in 2013.</ref>
|''Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire'' #1-3
|May 2003
|{{ISBNT|978-1401200343}}<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=3945 ''Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire'' trade details at DC]</ref>
|-
|''Wild Worlds''
|''Deathblow: Byblows'' #1-3 and ''Spawn/WildC.A.T.s'' #1-4, ''Voodoo'' #1-4, ''Voodoo: Dancing in the Dark'' #1, ''WildC.A.T.S'' #50, ''Wildstorm'' Spotlight #1
|August 2007
|{{ISBNT|978-1401213794}}
|-
|''Deathblow:...And Then You Live''
|''Deathblow'' (vol. 2) #1-9
|August 2008
|{{ISBNT|978-1401215156}}<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=9778 ''... And The You Live'' trade details at DC]</ref>
|-
|''The Wild Storm: Michael Cray Vol. 1''
|''The Wild Storm: Michael Cray'' #1-6
|July 2018
|{{ISBNT|978-1401281052}}
|-
|''The Wild Storm: Michael Cray Vol. 2''
|''The Wild Storm: Michael Cray'' #7-12
|January 2019
|{{ISBNT|978-1401285586}}
|}
==Notes==
{{Reflist|235em}}
==References==
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==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230008/http://www.popimage.com/content/viewnews.cgi?newsid1165980987,15276, Review of issue #1]
*[http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/116221995319844.htm Review of issue #1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905190050/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/116221995319844.htm |date=2017-09-05 }}, [[Comics Bulletin]]
{{Jim Lee}}
{{Deathblow}}
{{Stormwatch (comics)|Stormwatch}}
[[Category:1993 comics debuts]]
[[Category:2006 comics debuts]]
[[Category:FictionalDC vigilantesComics characters with accelerated healing]]
[[Category:DC Comics military personnel]]
[[Category:DC Comics telekinetics]]
[[Category:Wildstorm Universe superheroes]]
[[Category:Characters created by Jim Lee]]
[[Category:Comics by Jim Lee]]
[[Category:Stormwatch and the Authority characters]]
[[Category:Vigilante characters in comics]]