1st Impressions: SHADOWMAN # 15

SHADOWMAN # 15
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Roberto de la Torre, Al Barrionuevo, Brian Level, David Baron & John Rauch

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Jack faces a major mistake of his past in order to see if it will ease his mind and stop the blackouts.  Meanwhile, the Abettors make moves to make sure that Jack would be the LAST Shadowman.

ART:

                De la Torre, Barrionuevo and Level do an excellent job this issue with continue to setting up a great looking book. From the moody backgrounds that look haunting in sunlight, to Jack’s face dealing with the emotional pain of what he had done, our artists really pour a lot of great detail in the work this issue. De la Torre definite hits his stride well this issue with some stunning panel work while Barrionuevo and Level aren’t slouches with their panels conveying a lot of emotion as well.

                Baron and Rauch do a great job with colors. The shading and color are utilized extremely well.  The amount of color does really well setting mood for the panels and giving the book its more horror, thriller appeal. There is a certain level of ambiance too the book that just makes it interesting. A superb job by the art team this issue.

WRITING:

                After the first two issues of the new direction, I will firmly state that I am being won over. The characterizations this issue was really strong.  The plot bears some wonderful fruit this issue as the Abettors and  Jack come to head in a very neat and logical way.  Milligan continues to add personal elements and making sure the history that he added comes to bare as the conflict gets brutal at the end. The characterizations were equally amazing with Jack and Alyssa showing some real growth and development.   Milligan does a great job giving some powerful dialogue that work with the well done art. 
                The pacing was done perfectly and the overall issue was just exquisite. Solid writing by Milligan.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                This is definitely a large step up from the last two issues. I feel after my initial dislike of the new direction, this one wins me over.  The art is great and the story is good.

RATING:

                A much better issue. Made me a believer in Milligan work in Shadowman. I give Shadowman # 15 a 9 … out of 10.

1st Impressions: HARBINGER # 19

 HARBINGER # 19
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Barry Kitson, Riley Rossmo, Brian Level & Ian Hannin

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                Peter has woken up and Harada is having issues that comes with his great powers. And boy, things REALLY shake up. Little by the little, the Renegades start freeing themselves of their psiot manipulated dreams as things get even crazier.

ART:

                This issue is full of action that Kitson, Rossmo, Level and Hannin do a great job on. All sorts of locales.  All sorts of people, beings, vehicles and more. This was a grand finish for such a personal storyline and the art team did not disappoint. To the parts inside the minds of Peter and Animalia to Torquehalla to the real world, there was a great amount of detail and expression put in each panel.  From the various outfits, to the mermaids (yes, they do appear this issue), to the carnage that ensues because of Harada, this issue goes all out to give you some great visuals. Kitson is in the top of his game this issue. Rossmo adds a great extra layer to the dream world Peter was stuck in. Hannin’s colors are vivid and rich this issue. There is a great angles and panel composition. Overall, this was a top notch job for the art team this issue.

WRITING:

                Dysart wraps up Perfect Day with a HUGE bang as we get character development from everyone but Charlene. But considering that she got some great development earlier in the storyline, it was okay. We get some great character moments for Pete, Harada, Faith, Torque and more. Dysart really advances many of the characters with solid resolutions that make sense. Although, Dysart, always good for a clincher, gives us plenty of surprise; particularly with Harada and the ending of the storyline. Strong dialogue and excellent pacing makes this issue a must read. Dysart continues to prove himself one of the best writers in the business with this strong, packed finale to “Perfect Day.”

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                This storyline was great from the word go and this issue’s finale was beyond satisfying. The art was fantastic and it makes me even more excited to see what is to come. Evolving characters, dynamic art and impressive storytelling makes Harbinger #19 a must read.

RATING:

                I give Harbinger # 19 a 10 … out of 10.

1st Impression: HARBINGER # 18

HARBINGER # 18

Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Barry Kitson, Riley Rossmo, Mark Pennington, Brian Level & Ian Hannin

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                This issue, we see what Peter’s Perfect Day is and that Harada is handling it himself. Unfortunately … Harada is getting overwhelmed. Meanwhile, back in Torquehalla, the girls decide that this realm might not be for them.  Faith wants out but not sure how that is gonna happen. And finally, Harada’s lack of sleep catches up to him.

ART:

                This issue’s art was split with pencils by Rossmo and Kitson. Also, there was some style/inking changes that were also put between the real world and Torquehalla. And while normally, the styles here might not work well, Kitson and Rossmo’s work really work well in telling the story. Pete’s Perfect Day by Rossmo while Kitson switched his style a little between the real world and Torquehalla. The grimmer style works for Torquehalla parts while Kitson’s more polished style worked well in the real word. The Rossmo’s pages worked to give an innocence that Pete had lost since the beginning of the series.  Level and Pennington give some solid inks; giving Kitson a rougher style for Torquehalla. And Hannin does a great job with colors … even mimicking the classic dot style for Pete’s Perfect Day pages. It was solid art this issue.

WRITING:

                Dysart continues to develop our Renegades and Harada further this issue. Faith steps up which really is great to see. Torque’s paradise seems to not be so perfect. The characterizations this issue were really enjoyable as we definitely can relate to many of the characters feelings. Pete’s want of innocence. Torque’s realizing things are not so greener on the other side. I also love how Dysart is able to develop all the Renegades and Harada without any of the characters being neglected or overshadowing other characters. It is a testament to his writing.
                The overall plot lines go smoothly and don’t over power the other. And we get a strong cliffhanger there at the end. A great job by Dysart.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                The series just gets better and better as Perfect Day builds up to be a signature storyline for Dysart and Harbinger. The art was good and wasn’t afraid to take chances while the story was absolutely exsquisite. Another great issue.

RATING:
                Harbinger keeps getting better and this book proves it. I give Harbinger # 16 a 9.5 out 10.