The next chapter of the critically acclaimed Shadowman series has arrived! With the epic event Deadside War poised to sweep across the Valiant Universe, Shadowman is going to need some help to take the fight to the Deadside. As the battle begins to heat up, only the new group of Abettors and the fan-favorite Punk Mambo herself can stand against the impending war alongside Shadowman. But will they be enough?
Shadowman #6 opens right where the previous issue ends, with Shadowman trying to talk his way out of the seemingly invitable war between the Deadside and the live side. This approach to the conflict is something we’ve rarely seen (or at least something I’ve rarely seen) when it comes to comics, and so with Cullen Bunn‘s approach to the story there’s oddly more tension with the attempted diplomacy than I’d have expected.
I’ve said it before, and it’s still true, but Shadowman – written by Bunn, with art by Pedro Andreo and colors by Jordie Bellaire – is by far and wide the best thing Valiant is currently publishing, and for my money it’s also among the top echelon of comics that are being published right now.
When it comes to the art in Shadowman #6, I found myself genuinely impressed by how dynamic Pedro Andreo’s work was. He layouts and line weights are interesting, and I’m low key obsessed with how Shadowman’s face has taken on more of an unnatural skull-like visage with the overly pronounced cheekbones, which gives the hero more of an otherworldly sense about him. Compounding on this otherworldly sense, though, is Jordie Bellaire’s colouring. She elevates already compelling artwork to the next level with a mostly low key colour palette of muted greys, and murky shadows infusing the other backgrounds. It’s amongst this backdrop that the bursts of colour stand out so effectively.
The second part of The Deadside War reinforces the stakes that Shadowman is facing, and reintroduces a couple of familiar faces that readers will recognize from earlier volumes of Shadowman published since Valiant’s relaunch in 2012 (that it was ten years ago is slightly blowing my mind, I won’t lie). Bunn pulls on threads that make the comic feel much more connected to the Valiant universe than we’ve seen in awhile as more than a few of the miniseries released could have existed in their own world. That Shadowman is bucking this trend with a story that, we’re told, will have huge implications for the publisher’s comics as a whole whilst still being a fantastic read for anybody who picks the comics up has me feeling really excited for what comes next.
Story: Cullen Bunn Art: Pedro Andreo
Colors: Jordie Bellaire Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 9.7 Art: 9.9 Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy
Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Source: Graphic Policy
