SHADOWMAN #5 – Review

SHADOWMAN #5, from Valiant Entertainment on January 19th, 2022, returns from a hiatus to kick off the Deadside War – a cataclysmic fight by the Deadside Loa for control of the Earth and everyone in it.

The Details

• Written By: Cullen Bunn
• Art By: Pedro Andreo
• Colors By: Jordie Bellaire
• Letters By: Clayton Cowles
• Cover Art By: Jon Davis-Hunt (cover A)
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: January 19, 2022

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Was It Good?

The Shadowman series is possibly Valiant’s main hit title over the past 18 months, with good reason. Cullen Bunn’s writing has been a solid mix of episodic storytelling connected by an overarching theme of two worlds fighting against (or for, if you’re from the Deadside) merging. The first four issues of the series worked well enough on their own, but the arc concluded with a promise to lead up to this – the Deadside War. Does the storytelling quality return at the same levels and is the Deadside War a compelling direction with SHADOWMAN #5? So far, yes.

Moving into this new phase of the series, Bunn pulls back on the episodic format to introduce a new (old) team called the Abettors, assembled to help Shadowman out. It’s unclear in what way this team is helpful because you get the comic equivalent of a group picture and not much else.

The next change, which is a significant improvement over the previous issues, is a visual representation of Deadside. Previously, it was mentioned the Deadside was trying to manifest into a physical form as part of its agenda to lead the Deadside denizens to Earth. Admittedly, that visual was a little hard to wrap one’s brain around, and now you don’t have to. We get to see the Loa Council and Deadside in physical, which helps to anchor the story instead of referring to esoteric concepts.

As for the specific plot of this issue, it’s mostly setup, introductions, and threats. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but Bunn wisely throws in a mission for Shadowman to stop a zombie uprising. The mission is brief but done so well that it doesn’t feel rushed or haphazard.

The art continues to be a joy to behold. Andreo has a keen eye for action, especially during supernatural fights, and Bellaire continues to impress with accent colors that add subtle, nuanced highlights. This issue looks as well as it reads, which is why it’s Valiant’s top title.

What’s It About?

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

It’s been a while since the last issue, so catch up on where we left off with our SHADOWMAN #4 review.

We begin with Jack Boniface playing a sax set back in New Orleans. When he’s done with his show, he meets up with Alyssa for a drink and flirtation to talk about Shadowman’s current status quo. Alyssa responds by not only suggesting she help him through the impending crisis but to also introduce the new team of Abettors she’s assembled while Jack’s been busy sealing blights.

Before readers get to know the new Abettors, Papa Samedi makes an appearance to alert Jack about a zombie uprising in New Orleans. When Jack arrives, he deals with the zombies quickly and learns they were reanimated by a young boy casting a dark magic spell to bring back his deceased mother. It’s then that Jack learns the boy was tricked into casting the spell by the Deadside Loa.

Later, the Deadside citizens are having a “rally” to invigorate their commitment to invading Earth. Suddenly, Jack makes a surprise appearance at the rally to try and convince the Deadsiders that he’s willing to try and find a way for coexistence between the realms if they give him a chance.

We conclude the issue with the Loa Council expressing concern over Jack’s overtures for peace, the manifested Deadside expressing similar concerns, and the makings of an unusual offer.

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