WARNING: The following contains spoilers for DCeased #5 by Tom Taylor, Trevor Hairsine, Stefano Gaudiano, Rain Beredo and Saida Temofonte, in stores now.
The DC Universe is plunged into a zombie apocalypse in DCeased, where anyone who looks at a screen connected to the internet is infected with a virus that transforms them into mindless monsters whose sole intent is to kill. Already, some of the greatest heroes -- and most infamous villains -- have fallen, including Batman, Green Lantern, Mr. Miracle, Big Barda and The Joker.
Essentially a horror story, DCeased hasn't shied away from grisly sights. With murderous, super-powered zombies rapidly taking over the planet, plenty of blood has already been spilled, but nothing compares to the gruesome death depicted in the most recent issue.
In DCeased #5, the Justice League loses another member in what's easily the series' most shocking and gruesome death.
What remains of the Justice League and their allies establish two safe havens for survivors, one in Themyscira, home of the Amazons, and the other in Gotham City, now protected by Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. They then establish a new communications hub, free of the internet, in Superman's Fortress of Solitude. However, it isn't long before the Justice League is attacked by an infected Martian Manhunter. Using his powers of transmutation, he slices his way through Lex Luthor and, eventually, Barry Allen.
The combined powers of the other heroes are enough to bring down the Martian Manhunter, but the damage is already done: After The Flash is infected, DC's Fastest Man Alive races around the globe, transmitting the virus to as many people as possible. The only hope of stopping him lies with Superman, who doesn't chase after The Flash, but instead soars from the opposite direction, and collides with him at super-speed.
The Man of Steel smashes through the twisted reflection of his old friend, pulverizing The Flash, whose bloody remains scatter and fall into the ocean. However, the impact is so powerful that two of Barry Allen's fingers lodge into Superman's side. In a tragic turn of events, Superman is also infected.
Without Batman, Superman, The Flash and many of the DC Universe's other greatest heroes, the future is looking dire for the survivors in DCeased.