Since its revival, Valiant has been producing solid super-hero stories that stand out in a crowded market place, and they've assembled a promising crew of writers and artists to make once high-profile characters relevant again. With Shadowman, Valiant has delivered a comic that really scratches that supernatural itch all comic fans possess. Seriously, kids, this is the Doctor Strange or Brother Voodoo book we all wish Marvel was producing. Shadowman is a creepy and atmospheric story that utilizes every inch of New Orleans voodoo history to create modern horror book that would make any fan of supernatural fiction happy.
Shadowmanpresents the story of Jack Boniface, the latest supernatural protector called (what else?) the Shadowman. Jack inherited his mantle from his father in the book’s first arc and barely had time to get used to it before he was thrust into a duel between the legendary Baron Samedi and Valiant’s perennial supernatural badass Master Darque. Darque has taken over the Deadside, (a kind of purgatory) and is transforming the souls there into horrific engines of destruction. Think of unstoppable cyberpunk zombie tanks designed to pierce through Deadside into the real world. Yeah, Jordan is bringing it!
The way Jordan and company use established voodoo myths and combine them with Valiant cannon to establish a familiar world that is still able to surprise seasoned readers is impressive to say the least. Darque is legit scary and the art team brings the Deadside to life (is that the right word?) using muted colors and negative space to establish an amorphous realm. When Jordan’s story enters the real world, the art stands in stark contrast to the disturbing twilight darkness of the Deadside.
The character work really makes Shadowman such a compelling read. Boniface is new to the role of Shadowman, but he does not shy away from throwing down with zombies or ghosts, nor does he lose his humanity. He relies and cares deeply about his mentor Dox and his two-fisted companion Alyssa who both get time to shine this issue as Dox risks traveling to the Deadside to stop Darque.
Darque and Samedi are the true stars of this issue as Jordan presents two vile beings vying for power. Samedi has grown to like the pleasures of the living world and is willing to fight Darque so he may continue to drink, gamble, and whore. This makes for a compelling conflict for Jack who must decide if he wishes to save the world from Darque’s hunger.
Shadowman throws down the gauntlet for the modern supernatural horror hero…a challenge that hopefully will soon be answered by the Big Two as we move closer the inevitable Doctor Strange film and beyond.
Story: 8/10
Art: 7/10
Overall: 8/10
Shadowman #8(Valiant)
Writer: Justin Jordan
Pencils: Roberto De La Torre and Neil Edwards with Lewis LaRosa
Inks: Roberto De La Torre and Matt Ryan with Lewis LaRosa