SHADOWMAN #7, from Valiant Entertainment on March 16th, 2022, begins the first major battle in the Deadside War as heroes from across the Valiant Universe converge to stop the forces of the Dead from taking over.
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 Price: $3.99
- Release Date: March 16, 2022
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Was It Good?
SHADOWMAN #7 is the second comic we’ve reviewed this week where the entire issue is effectively one scene (see NYX #5 for the other). However, similarity in structure does not make for equal outcomes as SHADOWMAN #7 is a far better comic. Now, you might say it’s not fair to compare two comics from different publishers, different creators, and different characters. To which we say, it is fair because this is how competition works. Ya wants the praise, ya gots to earn it. This issue has earned some praise.
Bunn earns praise with the storytelling gimmick of playing out a single scene through the entire issue by doing several things very right.
First, it’s not precisely one narrative flow in this issue. An epic battle begins and rages to show how Valiant’s heroes have gathered to stop the Deadside invasion before the Earth is completely consumed. You see heroes fighting with their unique styles and methods before they come together for a very specific line of attack. While the action is happening, narration carries the story forward on a different level as though Shadowman was recalling the battle as a memory while also filling in the lessons learned and the regrets inherited that brought the world to this point. Technically, this issue is one scene but it’s presented in a richly multi-layered flow.
This is stellar writing, both in terms of skill and creativity. That said, half the weight of the story is carried by the exceptional art from Andreo, Bellaire, and Cowles.
Andreo effectively tells the visual half of the story without the aid of dialog or captions. It’s all action to convey what’s happening and it blends seamlessly with the disembodied narration. Bellaire’s colors are perfect, and Cowles earns high marks for caption placement to visually move the reader’s eye in a complementary way to Andreo’s visuals.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Before hopping into the Main Event, refresh your memory by first reading our SHADOWMAN #6 review.
We begin immediately after the events of the last issue with a full-scale Deadside invasion. Snippets of assorted Valiant heroes are shown fighting the demons rampaging through the city streets. Through the mayhem, Deadside (now made flesh in the body of a woman), calmly walks through the battle to survey her army’s progress. Suddenly, she steps on a magical sigil and is ensnared by Punk Mambo and the Abettors to keep her contained enough for other heroes to attack.
Meanwhile, Shadowman witnesses the destruction from a distance and regrets how his attempts at brokering peace failed. The Shadow Loa, the source of Shadowman’s power, arrives to let him know his intentions were good but his approach was all wrong. The only hope Earth has to defeat Deadside is if Shadowman embraces what he’s resisted for so long.
We conclude the issue with an upgrade, a confrontation, and the end of the battle but not the war.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
SHADOWMAN #7 is a stellar entry in the series with epic battles, character development, big action, and big consequences. This series keeps getting better and better, and it’s the best thing Valiant is putting our right now. None of their other titles comes close.
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