Valiant Beyond: Tales of the Shadowman #3, by Valiant Comics/Alien Books on 11/5/25, grabs your attention. Not with subtlety, but with a supernatural crime scene splatter and a cast that takes “fatal consequences” to a whole new register.
Credits:
- Writer: AJ Ampadu
- Artist: Sergio Monjes
- Colorist: Jon Amarillo, Ludwig Olimba
- Letterer: Ezequiel Inverni
- Cover Artist: Damian Connelly (cover A)
- Publisher: Alien Books/Valiant Comics
- Release Date: November 5, 2025
- Comic Rating: Mature (gore, nudity)
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 28
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of VALIANT BEYOND: TALES OF THE SHADOWMAN #3:
First Impressions:
The opening pages deliver a heavy hit of grim fatalism, setting a warped but mesmerizing tone as Detective Alyssa Myles faces the fallout of forbidden magic and escalating supernatural peril. The decadent narration about “beautiful corpses” and immediate crisis grounds you in deadly stakes, but the execution feels like a challenge, daring you to keep up or get left behind. Initial surprise clashes with morbid fascination, promising suspense if you’re ready to weather the storm.
Recap:
Previously, Alyssa Myles narrated the woes of voodoo’s legacy in New Orleans, unraveling occult murders linked to the cursed scarf and the rituals of the Deadside. The investigation introduced Mr. Twist, a changeling called The Charlatan, whose hex nearly killed Myles before her ancestral trinket summoned Shadowman for rescue. Traumatized, Myles joined Shadowman and forensic psychic Dr. Hwen Mirage, uncovering new curses through a risky mind scan, which left Mirage barely alive and the road to Mr. Twist more twisted than ever.
Plot Analysis:
Detective Myles answers for her decisions during a tense confrontation with her captain, who suspends her and orders quarantine due to the unexplained magical contamination. The trauma of Mirage’s death rattles the department and the city, with Myles battling guilt, suspicion, and a tightening noose of supernatural chaos. In “the Game,” human weakness is exploited by otherworldly predators, seen in scenes of deadly seduction where bodies and souls alike are offerings.
Meanwhile, the supernatural villain known as Sister commands Grae-Ghazur to retreat from New Orleans after completing her bloody task, setting up a cabal called “The Five” who plan to unleash apocalyptic horrors. Mr. Twist flees to the Wasteland of the Deadside, where Shadowman and Myles, leveraging memory magic, track him down for a final, savage showdown. The action veers toward mental and physical dominance. Shadowman banishes Twist’s body and soul to the Umbra, securing uneasy victory but raising new, more dire specters.
By the close, Myles plots her next move: return to New Orleans, attend Mirage’s funeral, hunt down the remaining killers, and stave off the apocalypse, all while grappling with identity mysteries tied to Jack Boniface and a curse still unresolved. Their case file closes with hints at the survivor’s dilemma and uncertain future, leading seamlessly into the next deadly chapter.
Story
The writing swerves between tight procedural exchanges and unrestrained supernatural chaos, juggling suspension and consequence at every turn. Dialogue is pointed, if occasionally melodramatic, while the plot weaves through crime scene grit and apocalyptic lore without losing its urgency. Pacing is brisk, almost too rapid in places, as crises stack up and the story barrels toward its climax.
Art
Panels are grim but clear, favoring mood-driven palettes and rich shadows to amplify menace and emotional weight. Composition holds the reader’s gaze with stark transitions – crime scenes, occult rituals, action beats – while color choices evoke dread in every corner. Action is sometimes muddled but rewards close inspection, keeping the supernatural themes front and center.
Characters
Alyssa Myles anchors the narrative with consistent motivation; driven by guilt, justice, and supernatural trauma even as her suspension reveals cracks in confidence. Shadowman provides enigmatic support, defined more by action than introspection, but the villains bring intensity and memorable presence. Secondary players, like Mirage and The Sister, add dimensions without overtaking Myles’ journey.
Originality & Concept Execution
The comic’s fusion of voodoo, procedural noir, and cosmic horror sets it apart, managing to blend familiar tropes into a unique, unsettling thrill ride. Execution is brash and unafraid to push genre boundaries; however, occasional clutter and exposition strain accessibility, making the narrative fresh but demanding.
Positives
The issue stands out for daring visual storytelling and relentless escalation toward a true payoff, with supernatural stakes layered atop a gritty police drama. The interplay of trauma, magic, and dark wit provides a memorable hook, and the finale justifies continued investment if you crave a genre-blending roller coaster.
Negatives
Momentum sometimes tramples clarity. Scene transitions and heavy exposition can leave readers catching up rather than absorbed. Not every twist lands, and the series’ demands on lore and character history lower accessibility for fresh faces. Art occasionally buckles under narrative weight, muddying action, and the villain reveal teases without full payoff.
Art Samples:
The Scorecard
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2
Final Thoughts:
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VALIANT BEYOND: TALES OF THE SHADOWMAN #3 is a mad dash through a voodoo-soaked labyrinth, delivering sharp suspense, inventive magic, and enough narrative heat to keep even the most jaded reader curious about the next catastrophe. It’s worth the trip if you like your supernatural horror steeped in detective grit and wild narrative ambition, but newcomers may need a guide (and a spell of patience) to survive the ride.
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