Shadowman: End Times # 3 Review

SHADOWMAN: END TIMES # 3
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Valentine De Landro, Livesay, David Baron & Allen Passalaque

Lettering by Dave Lanphear

This will be a spoiler free review.

                It is the final confrontation between father and son … and both seem crazed.  See how far Jack goes in this incarnation of Shadowman.

ART:

                De Landro does a good job here. Good atmosphere with his art. There is some nice detail but it is still very simple. Livesay’s inks help bring life to De Landro while Baron and Passalaque’s colors really give it texture and feel to the story. And while the battles are good in this, the emotion on panel was very striking. The last few pages were especially striking as we had the showdown between father and son.

                De Landro and crew give us some solid work. Yet, backgrounds were definitely lacking this issue, which kind of took away from the landscape of the Deadside and some of the story in general.   Still, it was a good effort by this team.

WRITING:

                The writing is very up and down this issue. There are some great things that Milligan accomplishes in this issue. The paranoia from Jack felt almost palpable. Milligan really does a great job of building up Jack and Josiah in their final confrontation. And while we have some Alyssa and Punk Mambo, Milligan never lets the focus stray from Jack and Josiah too long. The dialogue was very good and emotional and fit the story.

                Yet … the ending is by far one of the most frustrating I have read in some time. And while yes, I do see the story points that got Jack to the point he is at the end of the issue, I am not particular happy by it and the set up for him to cross this line just seems too … contrived. I am not saying that Milligan did not build it up with his arc in the ongoing and in these earlier issues .. but man … that still feel like quite a turn there.  Does the ending make sense in terms of the story Milligan is telling? Yes. Does it feel like Milligan took some interesting liberties with Jack to get there? YES. 

                Going back to what was done before and compared to what is done now … I freely admit that Shadowman had drastically changed. And while I have welcomed Milligan after his first arc, the end of this arc has made me want to bang my head against the wall. In all the time that Jack Boniface was Shadowman before this … THIS ENDING JUST FEELS WRONG. Again … it makes sense with what Milligan is doing with the over all persona of Jack since the story began. Hell … it kind of spits in the face of what Milligan himself did in his first arc.

                And while I can conceive how he got there, the events of the ending are just insane.  The Jack that started the series sure as hell wasn’t here at the end of it. And it just makes me said.

FINAL VERDICT:
                The story is decent. The art is good. But both can definitely have room for improvement. And while I applaud the overall emotion and tension of the issue, the ending just makes my blood boil.  Can I say this is a good book? Yes. Do I like the ending of it? NO! Am I glad there are still dangling plots to pick up? YES! Did this issue make me feel sorry for Jack? It did at first … then the ending took it away.  It ends the story but still leaves you with a HUGE cliffhanger.  Yet, while I am interesting in the dangling plots, my faith in Shadowman has plummeted.
                I give Shadowman: End Times # 3 a 3 out of 5.  Good story. Good art. Great Emotion. A WTF Ending. 

Preview: Shadowman: End Times # 3 (Finale)

SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #3 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
Variant Cover by RUSSEL DAUTERMAN

The curse of the shadow loa is a terrible cross to bear…and Jack Boniface is about to be crushed by it.

As an army of voodoo invisibles makes war on Shadowman, the tortured spirit inside Jack will begin to consume his soul – and force a final confrontation with his greatest enemy, Master Darque…once and for all.

$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs.
ON SALE 6/25/14 (FOC – 6/2/14)

Shadowman: End Times # 2 Advanced Review

SHADOWMAN: END TIMES # 2
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Valentine De Landro, Livesay & David Baron
Lettering by Dav Lanphear
Valiant Comics

This will be a Spoiler Free review.

                Josiah has returned but has decided to hide in a place call the Voodou Lands. Meanwhile, Jack is in a quest to find him. Punk Mambo gives him hints but it will take a BIG sacrifice for him to go where his father is. And while the Shadow Loa is still edging on Jack, his quest to find Josiah might cost him more than he ever realized.

THE GOOD:

                Milligan writes a great issue, full of tension, emotion and personal conflict. This is a personal conflict that is enhanced by magic, making it have higher states. Yet, Milligan always makes sure it is grounded by the emotional. And boy, we get some BIG developments for Jack this issue. Much of the status quo is dismantled with this issue and it just grips at readers hearts. Milligan continues to add to the mythology of Shadowman while developing the characters within. Josiah had some major development in this issue that gives readers a whole new impression of the previous Shadowman.  And with great pacing and dialogue, Milligan hits a home run.

                De Landro, Livesay and Baron continue to dazzle with some great art. The darker, less detailed art really helps create mood and adds to the tension; allowing readers to immerse themselves. De Landro and Livesay do an outstanding job bringing out a deep, creepy atmosphere and making our hero look as conflicted as he truly.  With some dramatic background and Baron’s dark colors, this issue really help bring out the tension and dark atmosphere of the book.  Really great job.


THE BAD:

                Without spoilers, Jack gives up something … that was very quickly put together in the first place. Otherwise, great issue.

 THE VERDICT:

                Story was great with the one weird hiccup. The art was definitely stellar. A good book, all in all.  I give Shadowman: End Times # 2 a 4.5 … out of 5. 

Preview: Shadowman: End Times # 2

SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #2 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
Variant Cover by TREVOR McCARTHY

The return of Master Darque!

Only one man can help Shadowman now…his worst enemy! Forced to confront the greatest shock of his lifetime, Jack Boniface speeds down a self-destructive spiral he may never recover from. Exterminating the wild and evil loa spirits that haunt New Orleans at any cost, Jack has left himself with nothing to lose…in this world. By crossing the veil into the dark world beyond – the Deadside – will Jack save his own soul…or destroy himself?

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE 5/28/14 (FOC – 5/5/14)

1st Impression: SHADOWMAN: END TIMES # 1

SHADOWMAN: END TIMES # 1

Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Valentine De Landro, Livesay & David Baron
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:
                Jack dreams of his heroic dad.  Going by what was told to him, his father was one of the best Shadowmen … he controlled the Shadow Loa. And that brings us to the beginning of this very torrid story. Jack seemingly has gotten control of the Loa … only to find it slipping again.  Yet, Alyssa has not given up on him while we find out more about Josiah than we didn’t believe possible.

WRITING:
                Milligan writes a strong issue. We get plenty of development with Jack, the Loa, Alyssa and Punk Mambo (GOD I LOVE HER!)  Jack is fighting to keep his sense of self and not lose control to the Loa again and Milligan writes that struggle as the Loa reveals two things: 1 – its enjoyment of hunting down the other Loa; and 2 – its own feelings about its banishment.   Milligan writes a great sense of vunerabilty this issue that I have never seen before and it really works. The dialogue was very powerful and the narrative very gripping.

                The pacing of the whole issue was just great, allowing readers to really feel the emotions of Jack, Alyssa and even other characters. And the plot has strong supernatural and emotional ties. Kudos to Milligan for writing a solid first issue.

ART:

                De Landro goes for a different style here that works. De Landro was a bit more detailed during his time when he was an artist for X-Factor. But It works well. De Landro’s style change allows to give a darker mood for the book; which really helps set off the story. While the detail isn’t as much, De Landro gives just enough to show off some strong panel work and good action. Livesay really compliments De Landro’s work, making the panels appealing.  

                Baron tops it off, really giving some expressive tones of dark green, browns and darker shades of blue throughout the issue to immerse readers into the art and story. A solid job by this art team.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:
                The art was good. The story was excellent. This is the beginning of the end times. But who is the end for? And that question makes this title all the more intriguing.

RATING:

                I give Shadowman: End Times # 1 a 9 … out of 10. Pick it up Wednesday!!!

First Look: SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1

First Look: Judgement Awaits in SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 – A Merciless New Mini-Series from PETER MILLIGAN and VALENTINE DE LANDRO!

Valiant is proud to present your first look inside SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 (of 3) – the oversized, 40-page FIRST ISSUE of an all-new, standalone adventure that will push New Orleans' nocturnal guardian to a perilous new tipping point! From master storyteller Peter Milligan (Hellblazer, Red Lanterns) and acclaimed artist Valentine De Landro (X-Factor), start reading here on April 30th with a brand new introduction to the series that Bloody Disgusting calls "infectious" as the newly anointed Shadowman, Jack Boniface, meets his End Times head on!

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!

Shadowman is about to get pushed to the edge…but can Jack Boniface survive the plunge? Find out onApril 30th when SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 (of 3) awakes – in comic shops everywhere the same day as RAI #1!

 

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SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #1 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI (FEB141460)
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by JEFF DEKAL (FEB141461)
Variant Cover by DAVID MACK (FEB141462)
$3.99/T+/40 pgs.
ON SALE  4/30/14

VALIANT Comics May 2014 Solicitations

      

RAI #1
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CLAYTON CRAIN
Covers by CLAYTON CRAIN, BRYAN HITCH, STEPHEN SEGOVIA, and RAUL ALLEN
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS
Variant Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Variant Cover by DAVID AJA & RAUL ALLEN
Blank Cover also available

VALIANT FIRST begins in force this May with an  all-new vision of the future in RAI #1 – a new monthly series from comics superstars Matt Kindt and  Clayton Crain!

The year is 4001 A.D. – led by the artificial intelligence called “Father,” the island nation of Japan has expanded out of the Pacific and into geosynchronous orbit with the ravaged Earth below. With billions to feed and protect, it has fallen to one solitary guardian to enforce the law of Father’s empire – the mysterious folk hero known as Rai. They say he can appear out of nowhere. They say he is a spirit…the ghost of Japan. But when the first murder in a thousand years threatens to topple Father’s benevolent reign, Rai will be forced to confront the true face of a nation transformed…and his own long-lost humanity…

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 7th!

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RAI #1 PULLBOX PLUS EDITION
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

For the very first time – pre-order to get 15+ extra pages of 4001 A.D. action!

For Valiant’s dedicated pullbox customers, celebrate the launch of VALIANT FIRST with a special expanded edition of RAI #1, featuring more than 15 pages of in-story bonus features and dedicated looks inside the world of 4001 A.D. that won’t be collected for the trade paperback!

Retailers please note: this item will come polybagged and will be limited to initial orders only.

$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 7th!

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X-O MANOWAR #25
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with PETER MILLIGAN and JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by DIEGO BERNARD with J.G. JONES, BRYAN HITCH, and RAFER ROBERTS
Covers by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC and BRYAN HITCH
Armors Variant by ARTURO LOZZI
Throwback Variant by SEAN CHEN
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON

VALIANT FIRST delivers another must-read milestone this May with a blockbuster, 48-page celebration of X-O Manowar’s 25th issue…and an essential introduction to the comic book event of 2014 – ARMOR HUNTERS!

Find out why the galaxy’s most feared team of hunter-killers have journeyed across the stars to destroy the X-O Manowar armor and the Earth along with it in ARMOR HUNTERS: PART ZERO by Robert Venditti and Diego Bernard. Then, revisit the roots of Aric of Dacia’s transformation from Visigoth conqueror into the 21st century’s alien-armored guardian, as told by Robert Venditti and J.G. Jones! Plus, all-new tales of X-O Manowar from Peter Milligan & Bryan Hitch, Justin Jordan & Rafer Roberts, and much, much more!

$4.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 21st!

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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #20 (NEW ARC!)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by PERE PEREZ
Covers by SHAWN CRYSTAL and MICHAEL WALSH
Variant Cover by MICO SUAYAN

ALL-NEW ARC! START READING HERE!  “AMERICAN WASTELAND” begins here!   

His whole life, Obadiah Archer has been lied to about his true heritage – but when he and his pal Armstrong arrive in L.A. to meet his real parents, they find them in the clutches of the CHURCH OF RETROLOGY! What insidious plans does THE LIZARD KING, the head of the favored religion of the Left Coast’s rich and famous, have for the Valiant Universe’s premier conspiracy busters? And what lurks in the Hollywood Hotel? (Hint: You can check in anytime you like, but you can never leave!)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 7th!

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SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #2 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
Variant Cover by TREVOR McCARTHY

The return of Master Darque!  

Only one man can help Shadowman now…his worst enemy! Forced to confront the greatest shock of his lifetime, Jack Boniface speeds down a self-destructive spiral he may never recover from. Exterminating the wild and evil loa spirits that haunt New Orleans at any cost, Jack has left himself with nothing to lose…in this world. By crossing the veil into the dark world beyond – the Deadside – will Jack save his own soul…or destroy himself?

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 28th!

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UNITY #7
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CAFU
Covers by TREVOR HAIRSINE and RAUL ALLEN
Variant Cover by DAVE BULLOCK

The final deathtrap of Dr. Silk!

Ninjak’s ultimate enemy has drawn his web tight around X-O Manowar and the rest of Valiant’s unbreakable all-star superteam…and now they’re about to find out how the globe’s most brilliantly depraved mind doles out revenge. “Trapped by Webnet” cuts to an action-packed conclusion…and no one will escape Dr. Silk’s grasp unscathed!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 21st!

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HARBINGER #23
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
Final Interlocking Variant by ZACHARY MONTOYA
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS

Dead. Means. Dead.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 28th!

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BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS #22 (NEW ARC!)
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE & JOSHUA DYSART
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Covers by LEWIS LAROSA and ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Variant Cover by RILEY ROSSMO

ALL-NEW ARC! START READING HERE!  Bloodshot VS. H.A.R.D. Corps! 

The one-man army known only as Bloodshot is forced to turn his guns on his own people!  Project Rising Spirit, the private military organization that created Bloodshot, enlisted him to fight on their side – and Bloodshot, seeking his own secret justice, agreed. Now his agenda comes to light, and Bloodshot turns around to destroy Rising Spirit once and for all…but he has to go through Major Palmer and his own ragtag team of men and women to do it! Our hero versus our heroes in a bloody battle with life-or-death stakes to save or destroy an evil corporation…and whoever wins…everyone loses!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 14th!

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QUANTUM AND WOODY #10
Written by JAMES ASMUS
Art by KANO
Covers by KANO and RUSSELL DAUTERMAN

Quantum and Woody – against the world…or against each other?! 

Woody always had a weakness for the ladies…and when an old flame lures the goofus into a gang of mad-science super-crooks, Woody flips back to his old lawless ways! Where does this leave Woody’s sweet clone girlfriend? And now it’s up to his own brother Eric, who isn’t that sure he even wants to be a superhero, to bring Woody in! Don’t miss this bro-down for the ages!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 14th!

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SHADOWMAN VOL. 4: FEAR, BLOOD, AND SHADOWS TPB
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE & AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE

Master storytellers Peter Milligan and Roberto de la Torre present an all-new new beginning for New Orleans’ mysterious defender.  

When a troubled young man with a history of violence and a penchant for blackouts meets an overwhelming source of power with a mystical scythe, the results are doomed to be destructive. A voodoo loa has possessed Jack Boniface – or so he believes. But after Jack awakens in an alleyway covered in blood, he embarks on a journey across lands of shadows and death to discover if he can expel the dark force that’s seized control of his life…and which may be responsible for a violent rampage throughout New Orleans…

Collecting SHADOWMAN #13-16 by comics icon Peter Milligan (Hellblazer, X-Statix) and visionary artist Roberto De La Torre (Daredevil), start reading here as Shadowman begins a brand new era…and Jack Boniface gets dragged to his blackest depths yet!

$14.99/T+/32 pgs.
TRADE PAPERBACK
ISBN: 978-1-939346-27-8
ON SALE MAY 7th!

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HARBINGER WARS DELUXE EDITON HC
Written by JOSHUA DYSART and DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY, PERE PEREZ, BARRY KITSON, TREVOR HAIRSINE, KHARI EVANS, CLAYTON CRAIN, and MICO SUAYAN
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Re-presenting Valiant’s best-selling crossover event in complete chronological order, the acclaimed Harbinger Wars saga gets the deluxe oversized hardcover treatment – with more than 20+ pages of bonus content and rarely-seen special features! 

When an untrained and undisciplined team of super-powered test subjects escape from Project Rising Spirit and onto the Vegas Strip, Bloodshot and the Harbinger Renegades will find themselves locked in battle against a deadly succession of opponents – and each other. As the combined forces of the H.A.R.D. Corps, Generation Zero, and omega-level telekinetic Toyo Harada all descend on Las Vegas to vie for the control of Rising Spirit’s deadliest assets, the world is about to discover the shocking price of an all-out superhuman conflict…and no one will escape unscathed. Who will survive the Harbinger Wars?

Collecting HARBINGER WARS #1-4, HARBINGER #11-14, BLOODSHOT #10-13 and material from the HARBINGER WARS SKETCHBOOK, the Harbinger Wars Deluxe Edition HC is the only place to find the complete story of the groundbreaking crossover that IGN calls “one hell of a ride.”

$39.99/T+/368 pgs.
OVERSIZED HARDCOVER
ISBN: 978-1-939346-32-2
ON SALE MAY 28th!