In the shocking conclusion of “Splinter Species,” Brother Blood and a stunning murder have Animal Man on the brink of extinction!

After a recap of the latest events, Buddy Baker calls his wife Ellen Baker, but she still won't take his call, this time because she is asleep. And since Ellen is asleep, Maxine, her daughter, takes the opportunity to run off to the Red. There she meets up with Shepard and a crew of animal pirates. The group then head off to the Rib Cage, the last place the pirates saw a human that resembled Cliff's soulself.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Animal Man has captured Hogue, and he is taken to Blackgate Prison. Animal Man needs to speak to Hogue, so he uses his animal powers to break-in and confronts Hogue. But unknown to Animal Man, Brother Blood is using his blood to access the Red. This act cause Animal Man great pain, and causes a storm in Red that forces the animal pirates to change course.

Once Brother Blood is in the Red, he starts killing the Totems guards and enters there cathedral. There he kills a totem, causing Maxine great pain and awakening Ellen to realize her daughter is missing. The remain Totems question what Brother Blood has done, but quickly learn that one of them has betrayed them all.