Reviews 

Valiant (Re)visions: Shadowman #8 [Review]

By and | July 3rd, 2013
Posted in Reviews | % Comments
David: Brandon, we’re back with a busy week of Valiant, but thankfully, we have just one review after Power Rankings dropped yesterday. This week’s joint is Shadowman #8, from writer Justin Jordan and artist Roberto de la Torre (and friends). This isn’t just Darque-centric, or Monkey in a Top Hat centric. It’s got everyone. Does it have enough for you?

Brandon: For me? Yeah, i’d say it had plenty. This issue had everything. It had Monkey in a Top Hat and Darque and all of the other prime time playas. It also had some solid character moments and some most excellent art work. So did it have enough? Fo sho.

What about you? Did you enjoy the issue?

David: I would say so. Honestly, this was the best issue besides the zero issue, as it actually started to develop the lead a bit. Brandon…I started to care about Jack/Shadowman! It is finally happening! Did this issue start doing that for you too?

Brandon I agree whole heartedly. The character work for the hero class of characters was the best it has ever been and the character work in general was the best it has been since the zero issue. I’d say Jordan has started to move into a groove that I think will be pleasing for some time to come. The little moment between Jack and Dox about Jack bouncing around foster homes was the best moment the heroes have had amongst each other to date. I am very excited by this issue.

What did you think of the art?

David: Well, as you know this is a book that often struggles with a ton of artists in the mix. This issue had three, but it worked because each had his own little section. I think de la Torre, for one, is a phenomenal fit for the Deadside section, and he is definitely the highlight of the issue. His storytelling in the section between Jaunty (Monkey in Top Hat), Baron Samedi and Shadowman in Deadside was particularly great, especially with how panic ridden he made Jaunty’s eyes look. I was very pleased to see he is the regular artist going forward. Yay! What did you think of the art?

Brandon I thought the artists all worked very well together. At no time did the shift in art style take me out of the comic by being a distraction. It all flowed very seamlessly for me. I would also agree that the Deadside art from de la Torre was incredible. This was a very strong issue in general. It really has been gaining traction for me ever since the mind blowingly awesome zero issue.

This book is going to be making a move toward the top of my power rankings in the next few months I think as the story and action continue to build. Something awesome is coming in this title and you can just feel the electricity in the air.

David: Yeah, it’s definitely building up to something. Really, the last thing they needed to do was start building up the main heroic cast as well as they had the villains, and with this issue they definitely have started doing that. This issue was just what the book needed.

Got anything else to add before we get to grading?

Brandon: Not really. I really enjoyed the issue and I am glad they are working on the relationships in a way that is gripping. Now if we could get a new costume…

David: Oh man, what’s wrong with the costume? He doesn’t look bad. I could give a crap less as to what he wears. What would you give it for your grade then?

Brandon: I don’t know. I just don’t think it is insanely striking. It’s not horrible but it isn’t amazing either. Overall, I’d give this excellent book an 8.0.

David: To me, unless it’s horrendous, a costume doesn’t really matter to me. It’s sort of just a thing. I’ll give it an 8.0 though. It was a really well crafted book that seems like it’s starting to find itself. I can dig it.

Catch us next week, when we bring you a review of the newest Valiant book – Quantum & Woody – and a look at the new arc of X-O Manowar.


//TAGS | Valiant (Re)visions

David Harper

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Brandon Burpee

Burpee loves Superheroes, Alaskan IPA, 90's X-Men and is often one more beer away from a quotable.

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