First Impression: Shadowman # 3

SHADOWMAN # 3
Written by Justin Jordon & Patrick Zircher
Art by Patrick Zircher
Valiant Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

   So ... last issue ended with Mr. Twist infiltrating Dox's house .. . through a flesh worm. Mr. Twist ... with some help pin down Jack and Alyssa long enough that Alyssa is forced to  ... stab Jack and take him to the realm known as the Deadside. While Dox gets captured, we learn about the Deadside through a new friend ... who happens to be a talking monkey.

   Deadside reveals some great secrets to Jack as well as a certain ... important person that shows up as Jack finds himself forced to make the most important choice of his life.


WRITING:

     This issue was a rollercoaster ride full of action, mystery and revelation. There was action. There was character development. There was advancement of plot. There were some interesting revelations about Jack and the Loa as well as Mr. Twist and Master Darque.  The stakes are still high and this issue things were heightened. Overlaying the emotional overtones as Jack has to make a choice this issue, brought about by ...  well, that would be telling. But let's just say that this person has a significance to Jack. And it was all done extremely well.

    Alyssa and Dox are already proving to be strong supporting characters. The more we see them, even if it is limited, the more I and other readers  will want to know about them. The pacing for this issue was perfection as every scene, every panel mattered and there was always something that moved the issue, plot and/or characters along within the issue. Jordon and Zircher are truly writing one of the best origin stories for a character that has ever existed.


ART:

  Zircher once again, pencils and inks the work of his career. Each panel is crisp, detailed and full of care. The book keeps up its wonderfully astonishing work.  Reber continues his majestic coloring job. The obsidian hues and odd landscape of the Deadside were both simple and inventive. The character designs are awesome and the book really does well with visual aesthetic  Mr. Twst and Master Darque look terrifying. Shadowman himself looks both frightening and regal at the same time.

   The book's look is splendid. Zircher and Reber hit a home run again.



OVERALL IMPRESSION:

   Shadowman # 3 continues the epic opening to this revival and it is exceptional. Jordon, Zircher and Reber are giving the work of their careers in this book. We see Jack dealing with his own origin in this issue as well as things we have seen in the first 2 issue come into play in ways that readers never would guess. Every character is important. Every panel utilized to their fullest for this story to make it the best story they can. Shadowman should be on everyone's pull list. It is just that amazing.

I give Shadowman #3   ..... (now following other members of BI for rating system) ... a 10 ... out of 10.

BUY THIS BOOK!!