SHADOWMAN #3 – An Honest Review

In SHADOWMAN #3, available from Valiant Entertainment on June 23rd, 2021, Jack and Baron Samedi seek out an assortment of Loa-powered knowledge brokers to find out the cause of the Blight, but something is killing anyone who uses Loa power for their own purposes.

The Details

• Written By: Cullen Bunn
• Art By: Jon Davis-Hunt
• Colors By: Jordie Bellaire
• Letters By: Clayton Cowles
• Cover Art By: Jon Davis-Hunt (cover A)
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: June 23, 2021

Was It Good?

Yes, it was very good.

Shadowman is proving to be one of the strongest titles Valiant has released in recent memory. The art is grounded yet creepy. The story follows some unpredictable twists and turns that keep the readers engaged. And the issue does the most important thing of all, force you to wonder “what happens next?”

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One important thing about the writing is how well Bunn sticks with an episodic format while developing an overarching narrative. You could pick up any of the issues in this run and still feel like you get a complete story if you never read any issue before or after. There may be some parts that feel out of place, but overall, each issue is a complete chapter, proving that decompressed storytelling can be done right.

To get a sense of how well the art and the dialog pair together, check out our SHADOWMAN #3 preview right here.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

Shadowman and Baron Samedi head to Port Au Prince, Haiti to enlist the help of Mama Cecile to answer Jack’s questions about the mysterious woman he keeps seeing and the root cause of the growing Blight. Unfortunately, Mama Cecile is DOA, killed by someone or something who didn’t like her ability to answer questions.

Next Jack and Samedi seek out the help of a floating, tentacled nightmare to give the answers they seek. The nightmare traffics in secrets, and it’s willing to answer Jack’s questions in exchange for one doozy of a secret from Samedi.

Let’s pause for a moment to appreciate the quality of art in this issue. While the drawings of the characters are probably heavily referenced, the monster drawings are not, and they are the stuff of slimy, sticky nightmares. Kudos go to the art team on pure imagination alone.

Unfortunately, Jack’s interrupted before he can get his answers by old, deadly spirits who attack the secrets monster. Our heroes quickly figure out these are the same old spirits who killed Mama Cecile, and they soon turn on Jack.

The battle eventually moves outside where the one who controls the old spirits is waiting — the Pallbearer. He uses the power of Loa to control the old ones, and his radical mission is to rid the world of all humans bonded to Loa to stop their dangerous influence.

During the battle, Jack figures out the source of Pallbearer’s power and decides to fight Loa with Loa. We conclude the issue with one villain beaten and a massive threat revealed.

How Does It End?

Jack has a chat with his Loa. The secret monster has dying last words. The big threat is revealed and it’s really, REALLY BIG.

Final Thoughts

SHADOWMAN #3 continues to tell solid, entertaining, episodic stories while dropping enough breadcrumbs to keep the over-arching plot moving. The art is grounded and gory in all the best ways, and the writing is clear and satisfying.

Score: 9/10