Brandon: Indeed the train kept on chugging down the rail. Even with the loss of Tom Fowler the book still read great. Ming Doyle came onto the book as of this issue and her art was great. She didn’t miss a beat in carrying on from where Fowler left off. I’m still sad to see Fowler go but I’m loving what Doyle has now added to the title. Artistically, it isn’t a jarring change even if they aren’t the same. Bellaire adding that consistent industry crushing coloring helped to make that transition go smoothly. This is a great book. What about you David? This was also your #1 book from Valiant last month. Does this issue keep the love alive in your heart?
David: It did. It really did. It was a lot of fun, and as you said, Ming Doyle’s art is great but man, stylistically it couldn’t be more jarring. After the dream sequence in the beginning – which was amazing, I may add – things settled down a bit and I started to really dig her interpretation of everything. By the end, Eric’s face when he responds to the offer from Magnum just killed me. This book is a total package book – everyone is firing on all cylinders, there’s a great cast, its fun, there is action, there is Babraham Lincoln. It’s just amazing.
Comic fans are a fussy lot, always wanting driving plot and worlds “changed forever!” Does it bother you at all that most of this issue is Eric returning gear to his work and Woody trying to find a new pad for them, or does that just add to the charm?
Brandon: I wasn’t bothered by any of that in the slightest bit. I’m a Bendis fan. I LOVE when shit moves slowly and sometimes takes a bit to get “somewhere”. This in no way shape or form took anything away from the enjoyability of the issue for me. Not sure if it made it more charming though. If it got any more charming it would explode with greatness.
Did it bother you?
David: Hell no it didn’t. This is why I love Q&W and Archer & Armstrong best. It’s all about getting to know these characters and learning to love who they are. This issue underlines once again how different Eric and Woody are in tremendously awesome ways.
Can I just say that I love that Eric and Woody were both drawn to different seemingly empty warehouses, and Eric accidentally went to a club thinking he was at a villain’s lair, while Woody thought he was at a club but was actually at the domain of a few mad scientists? Because that was awesome.
Brandon: Yeah, this book does such a good job with things like that. I really enjoy this book and I can honestly say that I am incredibly relieved that Doyle coming on didn’t derail anything. I didn’t think it would but whenever you change things up the chance is always there.
I really enjoy the ending. I think it opens the book up to some fun possibilities and a fun direction even if for just a little while. Quantum and Woody Mercs! Love it.
David: Well, and what you don’t know is Magnum was a big part of the original series, so this is another exciting tie-in to the original series but in a different way.
Did you have a favorite part in this super entertaining issue?
Brandon I’d say my favorite part of the book was anything with the clone and Woody. I also really liked the bits with the Goat who easily ranks among Gamma and Monkey With A Top Hat as one of the best supporting characters in the Valiant books. I really need a crossover when it comes to these characters. I feel like i’m missing one other as well but I can’t remember for the life of me who it is. I guess that was a really round about way of saying I really generally liked everything about this book and I really dig the Goat.
Continued belowDavid: I’m all about the whole Babraham Lincoln scene. That scene was Woody to the max, and I love me some Woody. #BonerFuel
I’ll give this issue an 8.5. Another very, very good issue that tickles me pink. This comic is happiness Brandon, and I love it for that. What do you give it?
Brandon: I’d give this bad baby a 8.9. This issue was hilarious and kept on trucking despite an art change. Love this book.
Written by ALES KOT, CHRISTOPHER SEBELA, DUFFY BOUDREAU, and NEIL DVORAK
Art by CAFU, MATTHEW SOUTHWORTH, DIEGO BERNARD, and NEIL DVORAK
So David did you enjoy the anthology style of the issue?
David: I LOOVEEDDDD THIS COMIC. It was awesome. I would love this book even more if it was an anthology series, it turns out. While I didn’t completely love each individual story – the alcoholism one wasn’t my favorite, but it was solid – the other three were pretty damn rockin’. Plus, TONS OF JAUNTY. What did you think Brandon?
Brandon: I wouldn’t say I was jacked about it as you clearly were but I did enjoy the issue. I think if they did one of these every here and there it would be a great way to flesh out the character and his world. He is a character that absolutely works well in anthology form.
I know you said you didn’t love the alcoholism chapter but what was your favorite of the offerings?
David: Well, I did like the alcoholism one, but it was just weaker than the others. I loved the opener with Jaunty serving as Mr. Miyagi to Shadowman’s Daniel-san. I think Cafu’s art is perfect for this book – I just want him to be the regular artist, is that so much to ask? – and I thought Ales Kot’s story was clever and a lot of fun to read. I also really liked the second story, and thought Matthew Southworth’s art was a great fit for Chris Sebela’s story, and I loved the way it ended. The scourge let the lucky charm go.
But the end? Neil Dvorak’s Jaunty story? That was the coup de grace. That was hilarious and hugely different than anything we’ll ever experience on this book. So damn great.
I definitely don’t want it to be an anthology series all the time, but that was a lot of fun in my opinion. It was great seeing each of these creators unleashed on the concept, and it is a great way to build up Jack and the presence of Shadowman. Which story was your favorite?
Brandon My favorite was definitely the first of the bunch. I agree that Cafu would be a stellar permanent fit for this book. I also obviously loved it because Monkey In A Top Hat was present and also because it happened in the bad place which I wish Shadowman would spend more time. When done by Cafu that place is incredibly creepy and foreboding. Overall, it was a solid one off story. Just the kind that a really good anthology issue would have.
I’d say this was a huge step up from the last issue. This was like a nice cleanser before we get into the new team on the title.
Did you have any concerns or complaints about the issue?
David: Besides that they’ve never done this before? Nope. Honestly, I could go for one of these or some sort of “Villain Origin” or “Supporting Character Origin” story between every arc. That’d be great. What about you?
Brandon My only complaint is this was a missed opportunity to do more with Dr. Mirage. Other than that I don’t have a qualm with this book. It was an unexpected delight.
David: Well, I would disagree with that, if only because the book is called “Shadowman” not “Dr. Mirage.” Last issue had plenty of her in it, this one was just mostly focused on Jack. I ain’t got no beef with that!
I’m giving this an 8.5 also. Really damn solid that featured one story I didn’t love, but I did like even it. Overall though, it was a great read and just a fun change of pace. What do you give it?
Brandon: I’d give this issue an 8.0. A very nice surprise.
