Re-reading: Shadowman 13

A week-to-week plan is available for re-reading VALIANT from the beginning...
start anytime, go at your own pace.

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How would you rate this book?

10
1
17%
9
0
No votes
8
3
50%
7
1
17%
6
1
17%
5
0
No votes
4
0
No votes
3
0
No votes
2
0
No votes
1
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 6

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Todd Luck
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Re-reading: Shadowman 13

Post by Todd Luck »

Xoken asked me to keep the re-reading project going while he's out of the country...

I thought we could do a book a day (that way people can read one every day or catch up on weekends), talk about it on its own, in the context of whats next, in regards to what expectations it creates and vote on how good it is. I don't have to be the one that posts everyday. If I miss a day or if someone wants to take over please do

For voting think of your single favourite comic book (not just VALIANT) as the benchmark - thats a 10 - and grade according to that.

The voting (I'm hoping) will help new readers make more educated descisions. If this turkey files maybe we can even do a list of the books according to average voting grade.

Make sure to mention what you like'd about the book, what you didn't, what you wish they would have done, your favourite panels, lines of dialogue, little bits of trivia etc.

Shadowman 13
Image

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Todd Luck
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Post by Todd Luck »

This is a great little story. This is the last Shadowman story we’ll see using the old formula for the book. We’re about to leave hard-edged horror behind and this is as a good a send off as any.

Yvel’s art here is outstanding. The backgrounds look like you can just walk into them. The emotion and mood is right on. Beautiful stuff.

And the story itself is very clever, very cool, very tragic. Even knowing the ending (since I am re-reading this) it still strikes an emotional cord in me.

Great stuff. An 8.

Odd Note: This is the last issue you're going to see this level of on-panel blood and violence. Like most Valiant books at the time, the series became more subdued in it's portrayals of violence. The book will also be steering away from horror and start doing stories that are basically strange supernatural adventures.

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xoken
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Post by xoken »

Another great cover.
Interesting note: No first page splash here (although the first non page one splash Shadowman book was #12)

Page one: Gruesome, seemingly senseless murder
Page two: Gratuitous splash page depicting murdered corpse

Another solid book about real life killers and 'Jacks night' with a very good atmosphere. Left me thinking Jack can't have too many friends left now, can he?

A solid 6

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xoken
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Post by xoken »

Todd Luck wrote:This is a great little story. This is the last Shadowman story we’ll see using the old formula for the book. We’re about to leave hard-edged horror behind and this is as a good a send off as any.

Odd Note: This is the last issue you're going to see this level of on-panel blood and violence. Like most Valiant books at the time, the series became more subdued in it's portrayals of violence. The book will also be steering away from horror and start doing stories that are basically strange supernatural adventures.
I wasn't too happy about either of these changes. I thought the book could have easily incorporated both the supernatural and grounded it in a horror reality. The loss of all the violence and blood was part of Valiant's attempt to become a more traditional comic publisher and not a welcome change to me.

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depluto
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Post by depluto »

Not a bad story, not a great one. Felt like a step down from those great Darque issues.

Nice art by Yvel. I don't think I appreciated it enough when it came out.

7.

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magnusr
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Post by magnusr »

Now and then there has to be a little stand-alone story that doesn't necessarily bring us forward. If done right and not too often it's a good thing. This story is very much done right.

Great art also.

/Magnus

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magnusr
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Post by magnusr »

The VCB synopsis:

A killer stalks New Orleans slaying women and cutting out their tongues. in the midst of this, Jack renews a friendship with Evans and Dominique. Dominique is slain by the killer who wounds Jack and makes his escape. Three days later Jack confronts the killer again and prevents another killing. The stalker escapes again but Jack has come to realize that it is Dominique’s husband, Evans, doing the killing. Jack confronts him and Evans throws himself upon his own blade rather than face prison.

/Magnus


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