Justin Jordan, Roberto De La Torre, Mico Suayan, Neil Edwards & Lewis LaRosa

What you need to know: Journey back to the plantations of antebellum Louisiana to meet the man once called Nicodemo Darque and discover how a depraved life drenched in dust, blood, and bone transformed him into a menace that would one day threaten the whole of the Valiant Universe and all life as we know it.

The Origin of MASTER DARQUE Haunts SHADOWMAN #0

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Shadowman #0 from Harvey Award-nominated writer Justin Jordan (The Legend of Luther Strode) and an all-star cast of visionary artists including Roberto De La Torre (Daredevil), Mico Suayan (Harbinger), Neil Edwards (Fantastic Four) and Lewis LaRosa (PunisherMAX)! For hundreds of years, the Shadowmen have guarded our world from the nightmare realm known as the Deadside and its sadistic necromancer, Master Darque. But who is Master Darque? And what is the root of his otherworldly evil?

Now, for the first time anywhere, the answer to these questions and more will finally be revealed. Journey back to the plantations of antebellum Louisiana to meet the man once called Nicodemo Darque and discover how a depraved life drenched in dust, blood, and bone transformed him into a menace that would one day threaten the whole of the Valiant Universe and all life as we know it.

Before the discovery of the Deadside, before Jack Boniface, before the rise of the Valiant Universe, go back to the beginning to witness the first coming of Master Darque on May 1st in Shadowman #0 – now featuring a wraparound standard cover by Eisner Award-winning artist Dave Johnson!

For more information on Shadowman, Master Darque and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, or at ValiantUniverse.com.

SHADOWMAN #0 Written by JUSTIN JORDAN Art by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE, MICO SUAYAN, NEIL EDWARDS and LEWIS LAROSA Cover by DAVE JOHNSON (MAR131327) Pullbox Exclusive Cover by KHARI EVANS (MAR131328) Wraparound Gatefold Cover by LEWIS LAROSA (MAR131329) $3.99/T+/32 pgs. ON SALE 5/1/13