First Look: A Look to the Future in Milligan's SHADOWMAN: END TIMES

SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 – Coming in April from PETER MILLIGAN and VALENTINE DE LANDRO!

Valiant is proud to announce Shadowman: End Times #1 (of 3) – an oversized, prestige three-issue mini-series from master storyteller Peter Milligan (Hellblazer) and acclaimed artist Valentine De Landro (Bitch Planet)! The end times begin this April when Valiant unleashes an all-new starting point for New Orleans' nocturnal guardian and a perfect introduction to Peter Milligan's sinister new direction for Shadowman!

Jack Boniface thinks that he's finally fixed his life — and the source of the dark power inside him. But when a figure from the past emerges to reveal the troubling truth about his destiny, the latest Shadowman will be forced to run a gauntlet of his darkest fears realized: the rise of a wild new pantheon of Voodoo loas… the return of his father, Josiah…and the earthly restoration of his oldest and deadliest enemy, Master Darque. Make no mistake — doom is coming for Shadowman…and the devastating consequences are about to lead Jack Boniface to a perilous new turning point!

"I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that it's unlikely if Shadowman could ever be the same again after this mini-series. As to what hope fans might have of Jack and Shadowman making it out of this adventure, I'll quote Shelley: 'Hope may vanish, but can die not," Milligan told Newsarama. 

"Shadowman: End Times is where we absolutely blow it up," added editor Alejandro Arbona. "Peter has masterminded a long-term plan for Shadowman, and End Times is its beating heart and guts. Frankly, it's like nothing I've ever read in superhero comics. Don't think of it as an ending…it's the beginning of a Shadowman we've never seen before."

This April, Shadowman gets pushed to the edge…but can Jack Boniface survive the plunge? The answers await in Shadowman: End Times #1 (of 3) – featuring covers by red-hot talents Giueseppe Camuncoli (Superior Spider-Man), Jeff Dekal (Journey into Mystery) and David Mack (Daredevil,Kabuki)! Start reading here this April with an all-new entry point into the savage depths of Peter Milliagn's Shadowman saga!

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

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SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by JEFF DEKAL
Variant Cover by DAVID MACK
$3.99/T+/40 pgs.
COMING IN APRIL!

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SHADOWMAN # 6 Review

SHADOWMAN # 6

Written by Justin Jordon & Patrick Zircher
Art by Patrick Zircher, Lee Garbett, Neil Edwards, Brian Reber & Guy Major
Valiant Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            This issue opens with Baron Samedi chatting away with Darque who gives the god an interesting offer. We go back to Samedi’s faithful follower who then  … HOLY SHIT!  Um … excuse me. Was NOT expecting that.

            Um … moving on. Jack and Alyssa shake down some drug dealers dealing with a drug that forces nightmares on people while giving pleasure. Yes, readers. The twisted continues. The new Dr. Mirage pays Dox a visit as he does not welcome her with open arms but  she tells him that there are an infestation of spirits cause Baron Samedi is on Earth.

            Alyssa, in the meantime, brings Jack to the graveyard where his waitress, who we met back in issue #1 is buried to give him closure. After he talks to her gravestone, Baron Samedi shows up … and raise the dead … including the waitress. Yep. Zombies. Shadowman and Alyssa try to fight them and Baron Samedi but it is seemingly futile as we are left with another twist at the end of this issue.


ART:

            Okay. I didn’t think I would have to say this about this title. At least not yet. But … the art was good, not great. Zircher definitely delivers explosive, gripping panels. He continues giving the best work of his career here. Garbett style is very different yet still very good and fighting for a bigger portion of the issue. Meanwhile, Neil Edwards art is also different and okay with the thinner lines. But that is my issue with the art. Last issue, it worked well for the title. This issue, it gives it too much of a shellshock. Edwards style is somewhat similar to Garbett but there seems to be an energy missing. It could be from the distinct differences in style. It could be cause of the issue colored with some darker tones in some place … which works from both Reber and Major. Yet, this issue, artistically feels off.

            And while this is the last issue from Zircher, who leaves us with a breath taking panel work … I wish we got more energy from Garbett and Edwards. Garbett the energy is getting there while Edwards was interesting but … the art felt too different that it threw the issue off.

WRITING:

            Okay. I will make this short and sweet. The writing for this was SUPERB. A lot happened in this issue but Jordon and Zircher make it fit so well. Great characterizations were given as we see that Dox is not always happy with Allies, we still have an air of mystery to Dr. Mirage, Jack and Alyssa continue to be the heart of the book. And this book gave me several HOLY SHIT moments. A job well done by the writers.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            Honestly, this is a great issue but the multiple artists actually work against it rather than for it like it did last issue. Garbett is starting to show his potential but the energy didn’t seem to be there as much as it was last issue. Edwards was okay but ultimately, Zircher’s strong pencils and different art styles bogged down the issue. Otherwise, no real other issue.


RATING:

            While the multiple art styles bring this issue down, the writing really brings the issue up. This originally was gonna get a 7 but the writing and coloring  really shot this issue up. I give Shadowman # 6 an 8 out of 10. Definitely get it but be prepared for some shell shock. Still, read it now!

Preview: SHADOWMAN # 2

Shadowman says F*#k the Police ... Cause they're Demons

SHADOWMAN #2 Hits the Big Easy Hard

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Shadowman #2 by rising star Justin Jordan (The Legend of Luther Strode) and comics superstar Patrick Zircher (Hulk, Captain America)! The return of Shadowman to the Valiant Universe continues on December 5th in the staggering second chapter of the new series that Fangoria calls "an eerie, demonic, face-smashing good time!"

 

Jack Boniface's first night on the job may just be his last. As Shadowman, he has just inherited an untold amount of power – which would be great if he had any idea what he was doing. But he doesn't and he's out of time. Master Darque has dispatched the terrifying Mr. Twist to destroy Jack and the demonic creature is tearing through New Orleans in search of his prey. But if the Abettors – the mysterious organization that's spent hundreds of years protecting the city – can reach Jack first, he just might have an outside shot at making it through the night. 

 

Find out if the Valiant Universe's newest midnight marauder will live to see tomorrow on December 5th, only in Shadowman #2!

 

SHADOWMAN #2 - ON SALE DECEMBER 5th!

Written by JUSTIN JORDAN & PATRICK ZIRCHER

Art & Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (OCT121233)

Variant Cover by DAVE JOHNSON (OCT121234)

$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.

Shadowman # 1 Review

SHADOWMAN #1
Written by Justin Jordon & Patrick Zircher
Art by Patrick Zircher & Brian Reber
Valiant Comics


Review by Frankie Rodriguez


INFORMATION:

   Shadowman was one of the first original creation of Valiant when it started  back in the 90s. It had been one of the most popular titles back then ... with even Aerosmith guest starring in an issue. I'm not kidding. Aerosmith in a superhero comic. But Shadowman was not the typical book. It had it's heroics but it had a charm to its hero, Jack Boniface that made you wonder about him and the legacy he had as Shadowman.

  While the book eventually ended with Valiant during its original run, it has often been one of the most highly favorite books of the line. Now, we are in the present day with a Valiant relaunch. While it was not one of the books to start in the summer, it just came back last week. So now, let's see what the revamp has done for Jack Boniface.


FLIPPING THROUGH:

    Interest. Opening up with a Shadowman that is not Jack. Oh WOW. Invaded by ... zombies? Demons? HOLY CRAP ... YES!! Master Darque!!One of Valiant's greatest villains. Wow! This is awesome. Oh crap. No! NO!!!  Oh ... that was in the past. Okay.

    Jack Boniface ... man of mystery trying to sort out his own it seems. Slight flirting happening then he goes to his job. Oh ... wait. Police checking out ...

OH ... I have NEVER seen Zircher draw something that gory before.   *begins to coo like a school boy on Christmas Day before opening presents*

    Okay. That was just disgusting . .. and awesome. Oh wow! Y ES! YES! YES!

And those are my reactions while reading Shadowman #1.

 

   ART:

       Okay. I am going to be blunt. I can say without a hint of doubt that these are some of the best pencils I have ever seen in any book ever.  I have been collecting comics for over 20 years .. .seen artists come and go. I have event followed Patch (as he is sometimes called) work since his run on New Warriors in the 90s. I have seen this man's work for years. Yet, Shadowman ... has sparked something with in him that explodes on to the page. Panels are clean, sharp and appearing. Characters are easy to recognize. Tone and emotion jumps up and dry humps your eyes in every single panel.

  The rich inks help make Zircher's pencils dance off the pages. You know the artist loves what he's doing when you get a point in his or her work where it really makes you look at each and every panel over and over again. Reber's colors only enhance and intoxicate you with their diversity and richness. When you need the light, down to earth scenes .. . the colors are vivid and rich. When you need them for a darker, violent scene, Reber's tones reflect the disgusting underbelly of sin with those panels.

    The art alone is what make this book worth the cover price.


 WRITING:

     Justin Jordon and Patch Zircher really make Shadowman their own and thank the gods that they do. We get a rich history in the first several pages with Jack's father being a previous Shadowman. We get some wonderful mysteries about Jack and his parents. We get MASTER DARQUE! GOD! Long time Valiant fans have been waiting for Darque for sometime. This ... this brought him back in style and glory.

   The pacing of this book is excellent. It does not feel fast like other books and it really plays off its story beats extremely well. I want to know more about this Jack Boniface and Dox. Mr. Twist looks like a great starting villain for Jack to deal with. And I love that we are getting this all in New Orleans once again. Jordon and Zircher give you hints of the past with some great set up in the future as well as leave you wanting more. You can tell that this book is important to them and to Valiant and really displays smart writing on their part. The dialogue felt real and there is so much more I am looking forward to.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

      Shadowman is a testament and a shining beacon of excellence of the new Valiant. Exceptional art. Multi-layered storytelling. Likable but human acting characters.Interwoven plots and various mysteries topped with dangers and legacy. Shadowman has this in spades. It has truly become, in my mind, the stand out book of the line. EVERY BOOK should been this good.

   I personally  thank the creative team of Shadowman and Valiant Editorial for bring such a wonderful, exceptional comic that I will be reading for years to come.

    Make sure you buy this book. Then make your friends buy it. Then their parents. I like to read this book with this creative team for as long as it can possibly go on. Jordon & Zircher have really made Shadowman theirs and I want to read their 100th issue of it down the road. Shadowman are what comics should be.


This book has already become one of my favorite comic books of all time with it's first issue. With that said, I give this book a 5 (really a 7) out of 5.  Pick  it up NOW!