Shadowman #13

Introduction

 

Writer Peter Milligan Artist Robert De La Torre

 

The last twelve issues of Shadowman have been lacking a distinctive sense of focus that is necessary for a superhero book of this caliber. A new artist and writer have the potential to make the book similar to that of a phoenix rising from the ashes. Jack Boniface is an inherently interesting character that new writer Peter Milligan is set to take full advantage of. He is someone that should shine under the deft hand of the writer, especially with a similar series like Constantine under his belt. Robert De La Torre is an excellent artist that has really proven himself on works like Daredevil. The character of the Shadowman is in a fascinating place right now after the events involving the supporting cast of the series undergoing some massive changes. Hopefully, this work will continue to stay bold instead of falling into the static drawl populating modern superhero comic books.

 

Writing

 

Peter Milligan takes a Hellblazer approach to the likes of Shadowman that pays off in spades here. Jack is down on his luck in this issue, and contemplates doing the unthinkable just to save his own skin. A popular motif of new creative teams on comic books, is to blow up the current status quota and reconstruct the character in new terms. The scribe chooses to go an alternate route, via honoring what came before, yet still changing a horde of different details involving the book. A new wrinkle is added to the mix here, in a form of a brand new character that has some dramatic implications for the title. The voices for each member of the cast is nailed right from the opening page. Astute narration from the protagonist proves that Milligan knows what he is doing in these scenes. This tale has undergone a massive transformation with a new guard that should prove long term fans of the hero to be ecstatic about the future.

 

Art

 

Robert De La Torre is really great in this book. At times, he can be a little too similar to veteran comic book artist Alex Maleev. Still, there is something seedier about this comic that will begin to pick at your bones long after the comic is finished. This world is something that makes me want to come back, due to the way it is incredibly well visually defined. Another saving grace of the title, is the setting and how much freedom that it elicits from Torre. There was one or two times where some looked at the camera in a really over the top manner that brought me out of the story. If the penciller can scale back these moments, and not make some of the visuals here seem so forced, he could be one of the best pencillers in the industry. Even with a couple of complaints, this is still one of the better looking series on store shelves.

 

Conclusion

This issue ushers in a new direction for Shadowman as Milligan and Torre bring some much needed focus to the tale. This is some great comics folks, run to the store and indulge in yet another Valiant title. Let us slowly turn the big two into the three.