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Valiant (Re)visions: Shadowman #1 [Review]

By and | November 7th, 2012
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

On the latest edition of Valiant (Re)visions, our team tackles the latest (and maybe greatest) debut issue, in the form of Justin Jordan and Patrick Zircher’s Shadowman #1!!!

Written by Justin Jordan and Patrick Zircher
Illustrated by Patrick Zircher

The next epic expansion of the Valiant Universe starts this November in a new ongoing series by comics superstar Patrick Zircher (Captain America, Thor: Ages of Thunder) and Harvey Award nominee Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, Team 7)!

There’s a million dreams in the Big Easy. But now its worst nightmare is about to come true. As the forces of darkness prepare to claim New Orleans as their own, Jack Boniface must embrace the legacy he was born to uphold. As Shadowman, Jack is about to become the only thing that stands between his city and an army of unspeakable monstrosities from beyond the night. But is the mantle of Shadowman a blessing or a curse? And what is the true cost of his otherworldly power? The rebirth of a Valiant icon starts right here when Shadowman strikes this November!

David: So, Chad, we’re back with the last known Valiant #1 for now. We’ve seen what…four books so far? Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, Bloodshoot and Harbinger. Now we have Shadowman, and it comes from the team of writer Justin Jordan and co-writer/artist Patrick Zircher. I am VERY curious as to your thoughts on this book. What did you think of this first issue? On top of that, how did it compare to the other number ones?

Chad: Of all the original Valiant books, Shadowman’s probably the one I know the least about. I mean, I remember the basic gist of the character and the mask and that he operated out of New Orleans, and all that stuff. But I didn’t read the series beyond an issue or two here and there growing up, so this is the first Valiant update where, outside of knowing the creative team of Jordan and Zircher, I pretty much went in blind. And I know, I know… I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, but like the rest of the new Valiants, I really enjoyed this first issue. Comparatively, maybe not as much as Archer & Armstrong or XO, but this was definitely right in there with Harbinger and Bloodshot. A very similar read, actually. Just a really well put together introductory issue.

But enough of me. What’s your take on Shadowman #1, Harper?

David: You know, I’m similar, except I have to say I really, really dug it. I think it felt like a complete package more so than some of the others. Besides Archer & Armstrong, it is probably my favorite so far. The storytelling just felt so confident and assured, and I think having Zircher co-writing it helped make the writing and art even more cohesive. I think the thing the Valiant books have all had in common is just really high production value – they felt well done. Yet, this one was a notch above.

I think what you said in the beginning – how you didn’t know much about Shadowman – was actually part of the reason it worked so well for me. I knew nothing about this going in. Nothing at all. Yet, I think going in and having an issue where they carefully walked us through the character, laid a nice base, and left us wanting for more…I think that did the book a lot of favors in my book. Do you think that might have made the book a little better in your eyes too, or am I just crazy?

Chad: No, that’s not crazy. Jordan and Zircher do an excellent job, and you’re right about them keeping everything clean and focused. As introductory issues go, no kidding, this was one of the strongest I’ve read in a while. And I think that probably has a lot to do with there being so many characters introduced alongside Jack “Shadowman” Boniface, which I think makes the whole thing seem fuller a little faster, maybe. We also get some very clear bad guys in Shadowman, like Master Darque and Mr. Twist, whereas some of the other books blur the line between good and bad. Speaking of, how ****ing horrifying is Mr. Twist, huh?

Continued below

David: Yeah, I love the bad guys. Mr. Twist is intense, and I love that they have that open that rolls out Master Darque already. They do a really great job of building a world on the fly. Tell me if I’m crazy: that open was totally reminiscent of Crisis on Infinite Earths in a lot of ways. It reminded me of that early scene where the female Dr. Light’s world was ending, with more Master Darque and less anti-matter waves. It was super rad.

Let’s talk about the art. Zircher is a killer – we know that – but he’s a spot on fit for this book. I really dug his art on it, and I feel like is a great fit for all aspects of it. It just helps that he excels in all styles and is just a great storyteller in general. What did you think of his work?

Chad: Zircher’s a monster this issue! He just eats this story alive, man, and brings a beautiful sort of superhero feel to this new Shadowman that maybe some of the other Valiant books haven’t had. Like I said before, we’ve got a clear bad guy, and gross monster, and shadow-ghosts (and yes, I totally got a little Crisis / Ghostbusters vibe from the opener), and most importantly, he gives us someone with a straight forward mask and costume by the end of it. Zircher’s such a talent, and while I’ve enjoyed his Marvel work for years, I really do think this is going to be a breakout series for the guy.

I know we’ve spent time comparing Shadowman to the other Valiant titles out, but we should really stress, I guess, comparisons aside, this one’s has it’s own feel. We talked about this with Robert Venditti a little, but I enjoy just how important the settings are to the Valiant books, because I think that’s often something that gets overlooked in shared universe comics… what with all the fictional cities and/or most stuff happening just in New York. And of all the books, Shadowman, with it’s New Orleans setting presents probably the most interesting, with the entire world of Jack being kind of steeped in the supernatural. It’s a corner of the new Valiant Universe that I’m anxious to see, even if I didn’t know it before this issue.

Now, using our patented Valiant (Re)visions scoring system, I’m giving Shadowman #1 a 8.75. It’s got a hell of a lot going for it, both in story and art. And I’ll say it again, as first issues go, this thing’s kind of a master class in how to introduce a character and concept without making it like that’s what you’re doing. Nice work, Jordan and Zircher!

David: I’m buying what you’re selling. I agree. This is maybe the co-lead for best debut of any Valiant series with Archer & Armstrong, mostly because of how effective at world building it is and just how fantastic Zircher was in this issue. He feels truly inspired.

And I’ll agree with you on the grade. Let’s go 8.75, and give this bad boy a “Buy!” rating all around.


//TAGS | Valiant (Re)visions

David Harper

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Chad Bowers

Chad Bowers has been reading comics for most of his life. His transition from fan to professional is a work in progress. He’s the co-founder of ACTION AGE COMICS, creator of the webcomic MONSTER PLUS, co-creator of AWESOME HOSPITAL, THE HARD ONES, and DOWN SET FIGHT (coming soon from Oni Press) with Chris Sims. He reviews comics, writes G.I. JoeVersity, and co-hosts The Hour Cosmic for Multiversity Comics! If you've got nothing better to do, you can follow him on Twitter or Tumblr.

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