Shadowman #1
November, 2012
Valiant Entertainment
Words by Justin Jordan, Patrick Zircher
Art by Patrick Zircher, Brian Reber
Let’s dissect the latest morsal from Valiant Comics. The brilliant team of Jordan and Zircher have put a new spin on one of the original Valiant Universe’s fan favorites. Where it took years for fans to learn that original Jack Boniface wasn’t the first Shadowman, Jordan and Zircher start off with a flashback, giving us a glimpse of this new heroes’ past and origin. Plus a shocking introduction to one of my favorite villains, Master Darque. Don’t expect Boniface’s introduction into the new Valiant Universe to be anything like the old version’s. The Spider Aliens, who had cursed the classic version, and are now known as The Vine in the current Valiant Comics incarnation, have nothing to do with how our current hero gets his unique abilities. The story of how Boniface inherits the curse of Shadowman may seem familiar but it’s how that story is spun that breathes new life into Valiant’s next top selling book.
Zircher’s art, once again, is top notch. having cut his teeth on various titles for Marvel and DC Comics starting in the 90’s and his work continues to evolve, with Shadowman showcasing come of his best work since illustrating Marvel’s Captain America. Jordan, on the other hand, built his writing talents from his time with Image, as well as DC Comics on the likes of Team 7 and Hack/Slash. Jordan has become a master of telling the classic horror story, spinkled with a heaping dash of real world scenarios.
The perfectly hand picked combination of writer/artist puts a darque (you read that right) twist into the history that is being unveiled of the Valiant Universe some 20 years before the current stories take place, and gives us a tease of where the future will take us. The loss and deception that Boniface feels after a shocking revelation leads to the curse being forced upon him, a curse that his parents were trying to protect him from.
Jordan and Zircher’s story is weaved carefully, giving us just enough backstory to peak our interest, while the hinting at the horrific and grotesque horrors that lurk in the bayous and parishes of Valiant’s Louisiana. Let me put your mind as ease, the detail that Zircher puts into the more gory scenes is disturbing in it’s detail. Couple that with Reber’s superb coloring and the grisley scenes unfold in striking technicolor. The artists’ use of grey tones give a sinister shade to Boniface’s story.
Jordan and Zircher also use this premiere issue to introduce us to other new characters. Knowing that Jordan doesn’t just throw in characters for no reason, we may have met Boniface’s potential love interest, and we get a new villain. It’s hard to describe Mr Twist but this gruesome new antagonist looks “sticky” and has a very morbid sense of religious humor.
Shadowman is another homerun for the new incarnation of Valiant Comics. Jordan and Zircher’s story doesn’t just take the reader by the hand and guide them through the pages, it’s drags you and draws you in, leaving you wanting more. All the while, Zircher’s art continues to dazzle the readers with his attention to every bloody detail.
A solid and well deserved 10 out of 10
