Shadowman #5 Discussion

[bygranddesign]

I think the waitress's name was Anne Alafair.

I'm available for clean up on isle 9.

That could work .. has a nice ring to it

[BugsySig]

My only real quibble with the issue...The waitress in issue 1, if it is the same one, was named Anne. Here she has a different name.

SON OF A *SQUEE*.

I even checked that.

I am available as a freelance editor.

I think the waitress's name was Anne Alafair.

I'm available for clean up on isle 9.

I'd buy it if the writer himself hadn't admitted the gaffe

But if Jack goes to her funeral, maybe we can tidy it up

[bygranddesign]

Kind of interesting development was when Jack/Shadowman is beating up on the Brethren thugs in the diner and he say's with Shadowman's voice "You would HURT MINE? MINE?!"

An indication that the power and the presence of Shadowman is always with him.. (even during the day)

And interesting choice of words? "You would hurt mine?" Is he talking about the waitress?

Considering Jack hasn't trained his whole life like the past Shadowmen for this moment ... could the LOA see that as a weakness and over time start to take over Jack's humanity?

[Carson]

interesting choice of words? "You would hurt mine?" Is he talking about the waitress?

I took it as shadowman referring to Jack as his [host body]

[bygranddesign]

interesting choice of words? "You would hurt mine?" Is he talking about the waitress?

I took it as shadowman referring to Jack as his [host body]

gotcha. that makes sense.

That sort of plays into the idea that the Loa is not a friendly house guest and might look to completely take over an untrained Jack.

[Carson]

That sort of plays into the idea that the Loa is not a friendly house guest and might look to completely take over an untrained Jack.

Right, I definitely feel a ghost rider danny ketch type host/hero relationship here.

[swtor1091]

Great issue always loved thi comic but this issue nailed it... I don't know Dr.Mirage (I dont read the old stuff) but she seems really awesome right now. Can't wait to see more of her Maybe thats how they'll bring Mirage and Jack together. The waitresses ghost in the diner. The waitress had a crush on Jack after all

[Savant]

I'm with everyone else, best issue so far.

I hadn't really voiced my opinion much on other Shadowman threads, but with the first four issues I found the book kind of average (In a ratings system, 2-2.5 stars)....I was continuously on the fence about keeping the title on my pull-list, but I enjoy the voodoo/dark magic element, I like Zircher's art, I love the fact that minority characters are being given the spotlight, and my 10yr old son likes the book quite a bit. So, I kept buying.

Now on to Issue #5....It was fantastic. I'd give it at least 4 stars. Loved the intros of Dr. Mirage and Baron Samedi's follower....That entire scene with Samedi's follower taking out that Brethren leader and his gunmen was akin to a top notch action scene in a film. Everything from the sequences, the body language, the dialogue, and even little things like the way the blood splotch looked on the sliding glass door due to the gunman getting shot outside.

From my perspective, Shadowman jumped from 1st gear to 4th gear via this one issue.

Also, I enjoyed the beginning of the diner scene. I could be wrong, but I got a vibe from Alyssa that she didn't like seeing that white waitress trying to schmooze in with her potential man.

This was my favorite issue of Shadowman thus far. Ultra-violence! Baron Samedi! Angry Jack! Yes, finally!

There were really four different stories in play here, but it didn't come off as jumbled or confusing. The part with Darque was great and the change in art, while noticeable, fit well with the Deadside.

My only question is if there's going to be an art change with the Deadside scenes, why wasn't this done from the beginning?

What a great issue!

I loved the opening pages with the introduction of the new character who is the follower of Semedi. I love when the writing delves into the rituals, the shrines and mythology of voodoo and the culture of dark magic. This is a huge reason why I think many of us love Shadowman - It's the immersion into this strange, fantastic world of voodoo and dark magic.

Definitely one of the best aspects of this title. It's been mentioned in previous threads that the writers have done their research on voodoo, and aren't going for the trite stereotypes you tend to see in the movies. IMO, that augments the positive aspect of the whole voodoo/dark magic element in the title tenfold.

[KXXX]

Not just to swim against the current....

... I was underwhelmed with this issue. I can't say there was anything wrong with it per se. It just didn't quite do it for me.

The issue set some things up for the future and did an adequate job doing so. While I'm interested to see how Doc M ties into the story later and what Darque has planned, I'm not biting my nails waiting for the next issue.

With the Darque covers this issue I was expecting more from him. This issue breaks up into four vignettes. I'm not sure if the killer at the beginning is Samedi or a worshipper, and I have no idea why he's whacking brethren. Dr Mirage is John Edwards, Jack has coffee and justice for breakfast, Darque talks to his monkey and I forget about the issue 5 minutes later.

I think part of my personal issue here is that I'm noticing a pattern in these books...

-A shadowy organization! The Null, The Sect, The 1%, The Brethren, The Vine on Earth, PRS, The Harbinger Foundation.
-A reluctant hero! All of 'em. Seriously.
-Another plane of reality! The Vine gatherings, Deadside, whatever that void was Archer can access knowledge through (if that's not the same as) The Beyond.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Valiant and have spent HUNDREDS of dollars a month buying Valiant books. They're really the only comics I buy. I'm certainly not knocking them, nor do I plan on changing my habit anytime soon. I'm thoroughly enjoying Bloodshot, look forward to X-O every month, have fuzzy feeling about A&A and am completely enamored with Harbinger.

I guess perhaps Shadowman isn't setting itself apart in my eyes.

[manga4life]

Wow, someone who didn't absolutely love this issue? Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen. Like I said earlier, this is up there on my list as one of my favorite issues of any Valiant comic to date and without a doubt the best issue of Shadowman to see release yet, everything from the death of the waitress to the talks between Dox/Jack and Jaunty/Darque really made this book shine, plus the inclusion of Samedi and Mirage made this book quad-aces across the board.

The artwork was just totally special to me, really amazing pencils and inks/coloring helped this book shine and really molded well with the awesome writing. The creative team on this book couldn't be any better!

[KXXX]

Wow, someone who didn't absolutely love this issue? Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen. Like I said earlier, this is up there on my list as one of my favorite issues of any Valiant comic to date and without a doubt the best issue of Shadowman to see release yet, everything from the death of the waitress to the talks between Dox/Jack and Jaunty/Darque really made this book shine, plus the inclusion of Samedi and Mirage made this book quad-aces across the board.

The artwork was just totally special to me, really amazing pencils and inks/coloring helped this book shine and really molded well with the awesome writing. The creative team on this book couldn't be any better!

I'll say this: this book has been the tops from a visual standpoint across all 5 issues.

[SJS4]

I think part of my personal issue here is that I'm noticing a pattern in these books...

-A shadowy organization! The Null, The Sect, The 1%, The Brethren, The Vine on Earth, PRS, The Harbinger Foundation.
-A reluctant hero! All of 'em. Seriously.
-Another plane of reality! The Vine gatherings, Deadside, whatever that void was Archer can access knowledge through (if that's not the same as) The Beyond.

A good point. An Eternal Warrior or Ninjak book would likely go against the "reluctant hero!" grain, but you would still likely have the "shadowy organizations" as enemies. Rai may or may not go against the reluctant hero grain (Tohru was a reluctant hero), and it too would also have a shadowy organization as an enemy/nemesis.

[BugsySig]

Regarding the art change in the Deadside...I would say it was done for deadline/timeliness reasons and not for creative reasons.

This has been the case in several of the VALIANT books where different artists handle flashbacks or scenes with specific individuals. It's a strategy to keep the workload down and books shipping on time.

However, I wanted to note, that the stylistic change was not as jarring because it was portraying the Deadside and fit the mood of that realm.

[lorddunlow]

So, I didn't find this book to be much better than the previous 4 issues, but I loved those issues as well. As the story progresses I keep moving Shadowman up my list, but this doesn't surprise me, as I really like the premise, and I like the writing. The art of course is awesome as well, but the art doesn't have to wow me to make me like a book.

[Phoenix8008]

Can't wait to read this book. Sorry to hear that the nametag on the waitress got messed up. I guess that can be fixed for those getting the book digitally at least. Sounds really good other than that tiny snafu.

[Xtianhardy]

From my perspective, Shadowman jumped from 1st gear to 4th gear via this one issue.

I would agree with this statement. I was on the fence with this series even up until the fourth issue, which I thought ended the first arc on a high note. This issue gave me really high hopes for this series and I think set the bar in terms of what I want from future issues. More voodoo lore, more New Orleans flavour, more mystery, more about the Shadowman and Deadside. MORE MORE MORE

I kid, but seriously, I had a small list in my head of the things I wanted this series to deliver in the second arc and this issue has pretty much covered all of them, I just want to see this trend continue and this book to keep getting better. Best issue of Shadowman yet.

[Chiclo]

My only real quibble with the issue...The waitress in issue 1, if it is the same one, was named Anne. Here she has a different name.

SON OF A *SQUEE*.

I even checked that.

I remember another waitress named Anne.

It all comes back to Buffy!

There were 2 Anne's, remember?

The other Anne was on Angel more anyways.

Chiclo, you're the only guy I know who is this into Buffy. It's oddly refreshing. I'll admit to being a huge Whedon/Buffy fan but that has cooled considerably given the storylines of the comic. Just not catching my interest.

"Anne" was on Buffy twice, then did the reoccurring on Angel. Which I'm sure you're well aware of. FTR, Spike was much cooler than Captain Forehead.

Yes, but the first time Anne was on Buffy, she was Chandrelle.

I did not think I was a big Buffy fan. The guy that used to work the register at my LCS would about once every two years watch all the episodes of Angel and Buffy in chronological order according to continuity - not when they aired but when they happened relative to one another in continuity. And he did not have the order written down - he knew it off the top of his head. He also thought Star Wars was better than Star Trek.

And I must agree about Spike. William the Bloody was bloody awesome. Angel was the lamest of the vampires featured on that show. As much as I loved the bitter and angry Darla, I like 'em a little crazy and Drusilla was just crazy enough.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

I love Patrick Zircher, and Lee Garbett is amazing no matter what he does. I really liked how the art kept shifting in this issue. It made sense to me. The Deadside art was spectacular. Don't remember the artists name, but kudos to him. Great art that fit that setting.
Psyched about Dr. Mirage, and a new more realistic villain for Shadowman to potentially fight.
ARt is a big part for me, and Zircher has consistently nailed everything he's done. And Garbett. And not to take anything away from Brian Reber, he is the premier colorist in this business, IMO. Everything he does just adds so much to the art. Wouldn't be the same without him.
Story looks like it could start to get interesting now...

[Blood of Heroes]

He also thought Star Wars was better than Star Trek.

Star Wars is better than Star Trek.............except for those new movies. Those are awesome!

[Chiclo]

He also thought Star Wars was better than Star Trek.

Star Wars is better than Star Trek.............except for those new movies. Those are awesome!

I thought Revenge of the Sith was the best of the whole batch.

[bygranddesign]

Comic vine reviewer gave it a 5 out of 5 review

http://www.comicvine.com/shadowman-/37- ... ff-review/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

interesting tidbit at the end

The Verdict
SHADOWMAN is so good that it comes as no surprise a screenplay is being created for this franchise. I -- a guy who doesn't usually like fantasy or magic -- find myself fully engrossed with this story in every issue. Valiant's on a roll and Shadowman's adventure is quickly becoming one of my favorite titles from the awesome publisher.

[Dr. Solar]

He also thought Star Wars was better than Star Trek.

Star Wars is better than Star Trek.............except for those new movies. Those are awesome!

I thought Revenge of the Sith was the best of the whole batch.

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the new and improved JJ Abrams version of Star Trek

[Zaphod]

He also thought Star Wars was better than Star Trek.

Star Wars is better than Star Trek.............except for those new movies. Those are awesome!

I thought Revenge of the Sith was the best of the whole batch.

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the new and improved JJ Abrams version of Star Trek

and the Star Wars too!

I really like this new version of Dr. Mirage, compared to the original. I'll forgive the "super hero" outfit, it's not how I wanted this relaunch to go and I think the universe could have survived quite well without going that route, been a pioneer on that matter in fact, but it is water under the bridge.

A "Ghost Whisperer" type character could be quite a story telling tool in this genre, it is still strange to try and figure these characters in the same universe as Bloodshot or X-O and how they mesh should prove quite a challenge, I am looking forward to how this is pulled off.

[Chiclo]

He also thought Star Wars was better than Star Trek.

Star Wars is better than Star Trek.............except for those new movies. Those are awesome!

I thought Revenge of the Sith was the best of the whole batch.

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the new and improved JJ Abrams version of Star Trek

I doubt that. That movie is almost as bad as season 7 of Buffy.

[greg]

Comic vine reviewer gave it a 5 out of 5 review

http://www.comicvine.com/shadowman-/37- ... ff-review/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

interesting tidbit at the end

The Verdict
SHADOWMAN is so good that it comes as no surprise a screenplay is being created for this franchise. I -- a guy who doesn't usually like fantasy or magic -- find myself fully engrossed with this story in every issue. Valiant's on a roll and Shadowman's adventure is quickly becoming one of my favorite titles from the awesome publisher.

The screenplay?

We've known that one... JMS! http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page ... e&id=41585" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;