1st Impression: SHADOWMAN # 10

SHADOWMAN # 10
Written by Justin Jordon
Art by Diego Bernard, Andrea Cuneo, Mico Suayan, Lewis LaRosa, Carmen Nunez, Alejandro Sicat, Stefan Gaudiano, Brian Level, David Baron & Matt Milla.
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                This issue actually takes place after the events of Shadowman # 0, getting into more about how Master Darque came to be but focuses on Sandria Darque and (SPOILERS) the origin of Shadowman.  We get some back ground on Sandria Darque and the beginning of the Shadowman line, going back to the Civil War.  

ART:

                Okay. There are a lot of people who took part in drawing this issue. And honestly, it WORKS EXTREMELY  WELL. The darker tones and the different art styles blend together to present a tragic, yet gripping love story in the heart of war. From the powerful pictures of Sandria, Marius and more in the snow, to Master Darque coming for his sister … each panel had a beautiful macabre look to them.  There is an excellent amount of detail, thanks to all our pencilers. And all our inkers do a great job giving the right shading, adds to the mood and background of the story. We get some really sharp panels that dive into the grime of war.
                 Overall, the dark look of the book works with the tone. The characters are proportioned and look historically accurate to the time it was set in.  Really good work.

WRITING:

                We get a solid story focusing on Sandria and the origin of the Shadowman line.  The focus on her was refreshing; as it is a character we didn’t see much of before. And we get a very loving yet twisted woman who does what she must to get away from her sadistic brother.  The tragedy of her love to Marius Boniface only adds a weight to the mythology. The backstory and the time period was used extremely well in this issue. The characterizations were definitely relatable for the time period. And the narrative by Sandria kept a nice, consistent flow to the issue.  Jordon gives a solid issue but I felt weird at the end. Not for what happened but just … the impact of it. It was felt but I felt it needed more time.  Otherwise, a damn good issue.

OVERALL:

                Shadowman # 10 picks up after Shadowman #0 extremely well as we get the focus on Sandria Darque after what happened. The art was excellent with some really good writing. The end wasn’t bad, just a bit fast. Yet, it was a strong showing.

RATING:

                A really good book that adds to the mythology of Shadowman with a VITAL chapter. I give Shadowman # 10 a 9 …. Out of 10. 

Preview: Shadowman # 10

Twin Evils, Twin Origins in SHADOWMAN #10

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Shadowman #10 – continuing the uncanny origin tale that began in Shadowman's critically acclaimed zero issue! The arcane source of all Shadowmen, past and present, will stand revealed when Valiant opens the next chapter in the lives of Nicodemo and Sandria Darque!

Long ago, in the antebellum South, Master Darque’s evil spawned the one thing that could stop him: the Shadowman. Discover how the Darques’ depravity has intertwined with Shadowman for more than a century and the betrayal that forged them both in this special standalone bookend to Shadowman’s first year in the Valiant Universe. 

From the bloodied battlefields of Gettysburg to the darkest corners of the Deadside, Harvey Award-nominated writer Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode) and an all-star cast of comics talent expand the origin saga that Bloody Disgusting calls "simply flawless" on September 4th, only inShadowman #10!

For more information on Shadowman and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter and at ValiantUniverse.com.

SHADOWMAN #10

Written by JUSTIN JORDAN

Art by DIEGO BERNARD and ANDREA CUNEO with MICO SUAYAN, LEWIS LAROSA, and CARMEN NUNEZ

Cover by STEPHANE PERGER (JUL131314)

Variant Cover by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE (JUL131315)

Variant Cover by RILEY ROSSMO (JUL131316)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE 9/4/13

Shadowman # 0 Review

SHADOWMAN # 0
Written by Justin Jordon
Art by Roberto De La Torre, Mico Suayan, Lewis La Rosa, Neil Edwards & Dave Baron
Valiant Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            We get the origin of Master Darque in this issue and dear god … it lives us to its name. We find that Master Darque and his twin sister, Sandria, were taught magic by their father since shortly after they were born. We find out how Darque grew in power. We find out about how and why he and his sister have the tattoos. And we even learn why  Master Darque looks like he does now.

            We get some pretty big revelations and some very, very creepy underlining issues between the 3 members of the Darque Family. It all added up to a gruesome and powerful ending.


ART:

            I admit. I was worried about this title after Patrick Zircher left. Hell, I didn’t give the last issue as large of a score cause I thought the book suffered with the multiple artists. Let me say now … that is NOT the case here. What we have from De La Torre, Suayan, La Rosa & Edwards is a visually stunning & haunting piece.

            The backgrounds were wonderfully detailed. The colors and dark shading of the entire issue fit the ominous events of this issue. The panel work was gripping and near cinematic at times. We have some really strong pencils from both De La Torre and Suayan only to have even stronger inks from La Rosa and Edwards. The whole issue was this dark journey as to how Nico Darque became the frightening.  From the Darque’s birth to Master Darque’s confrontation with his dad … we see chilling visuals that will burn their way in your brain.

            Kudos to the art team for conveying such emotion, wonder and horror all rolled up within the various panels in the issue. The use of blacks, greys and whites were really smart … particularly during the death of Sandria’s rabbit. Those panels are now burned in my brain for the rest of my life thanks to the art demonstrating them. The emotion was palable when you read it and this team did an incredible job in bringing out the best in this story.

 

WRITING:

            Jordon takes us full into the origin of Master Darque and his sister and it was both solemn and fantastic at the same time. The use of narration (Jordon having Sandria Darque narrate it) was a splendid idea. It really worked for the pacing of the issue as well as give us insights on Master Darque we probably couldn’t have been given from anyone else.

            We get an idea of how close Master Darque and his sister were and their background was interesting and relateable. Nothing seemed to last longer than it was supposed to and I love that we get shades of the man Darque becomes throughout the issue.

            The revelations and pay offs this issue made it more than worth the read. Great writing by Jordon.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            We got a look at the past of one of the greatest villains in comics and we know a bit as to why he is the way he is. Great art work with superb writing makes this issue a must have.


RATING:

            I am happy to give Shadowman # 0 a 9 out of 10 for such a great origin issue full of depth, story and emotion. Buy on May 1^st.