By Damien Becton
I became a fan of Andy Diggle when he was able to take over Marvel Comics’ Daredevil (which eventually ended up in the event known as Shadowland) back in 2009. And even though Shadowland was not the most well-received Marvel event that has taken place, it holds a special place in my heart and serves as one of my favorite events. Because of this, every book I see with Andy Diggle attached finds its’ way at one point or another on my pull list. With Andy Diggle now on Valiant’s Shadowman, I was sure that this book would make its’ way onto my pull list. Three issues into this relaunch of the Valiant superhero, I’m glad to say that this book not only found its’ way onto my pull but also that it is a mainstay.
The events of the previous issue lead to Jack Boniface, a.k.a. Shadowman dragged back to the Deadside - a different realm of darkness and dead, where the souls of those who passed go. From here, you would probably expect a huge fight scene to take place due to the hungry souls and monsters occupying this dimension, but that isn’t the case - and it’s actually a good decision. Instead, you’re treated with a short journey for Shadowman making his way through the realm looking for his partners’ safehouse. This is a pleasant departure from the expected brawl scene because you are able to witness Shadowman resolve the challenges of his predicament, make a sacrifice, as well as see a touching moment between him and his partner, Alyssa. Not being overly-reliant on fight scenes and big, bruising spectacles can go a long way in creating a character for readers to invest in, and here, even though it’s not much, Andy Diggle does a great job.
In addition to Andy Diggle, pencillers Stephen Segovia and Adam Pollina, and colorists, Ulises Arreola and David Baron should be praised. The reds, oranges, and yellows of the Deadside are oddly beautiful and definitely amazing to look at. Just by the colors, you can tell that this dimension is not a place you would want to be stuck in. Furthermore, the pencils are amazing, as well. The two pencillers are very reminiscent of the legendary artist, Leinil Francis Yu. The characters emotions and feelings are conveyed with every panel, and that should be attributed to the mastery of the Segovia and Pollina.
The amazing images that the duo creates are not limited to the actual characters of the story. They also produce an amazing image of the Gatehouse, the location that Shadowman is determined to find in the issue. Even though it shows up on only one splash page, I spent several minutes in awe, just gazing at the incredibly detailed building. The time that was put into this one image must have been great. The inside of the Gatehouse is also mesmerizing, possessing characteristics of an M.C. Escher painting. It definitely looks like something straight out of the weirdest Dr. Strange comics - and that’s a good thing.
If you are into the Valiant Entertainment universe, Shadowman should definitely be on your pull list. If you are looking for some superhero action outside of the usual Marvel and DC options, Valiant’s Shadowman would be a great option for you to consider. With issue #3, you can tell that we are in for a consistently entertaining ride, especially if this creative team sticks around.
SCORE: 4/5
Shadowman #3
Valiant Comics