Shadowman #8 Discussion

[Keith]

Jack forces Samedi into the Deadside to rescue Dox and confront Darque. The scope of what Darque is up to becomes apparent, and Jack realizes he can't handle this alone... but then seemingly proceeds to go it along and get overwhelmed by Darque's army?? Me thinks there is more to this than meets the eye!

Thought this issue was on par with the previous issue, which I think we all agree had been a big improvement. Great to see Jack showing some initative in dealing with Samedi, as well as some slicey-dicey action against Darque's baddies. Love that Jaunty remains such a enigmatic character - Samedi doesn't trust him after he brought Darque to his door, but he is clearly trying to rescue as many has he can from Darque's machinations. Samedi seems a bit wishy washy... wants to be done with Deadside, but still surprisingly protective in his role as Lord of the Dead.

Only thing I really could've done without was the multiple artist jumps. I believe there were three styles (the real world, Deadside, and Jack's flashback). While this is not new, it still was a bit jarring as we switched amongst them.

And... is that Armstrong in one of Dox's photos? Looks awfully close!

[hunter_peterson]

I agree that this issue was one of the strongest so far, despite the artistic jumps. They need to to find a way to keep De La Torre on all the time... the man is soooooooo good. And Larosa's short scene was enough to make me care a lot more about the Abettors than I have so far. That's exactly the kind of stuff we need more of if we're not going to be getting into Jack's head. I felt like we got to see more of Jack being dryly cocky as Shadowman here, which would be nicer if I actually knew how the Loa affected his personality...

Also, Jaunty was cool, but Samedi with guns works better out of the Deadside. Seems like his strength and stuff would be enough there. Maybe his guns need glowy bits or something? Anyway, I'm betting he leads the souls of the dead against Darque next issue, after Jack distracted him. Probably they'll save Dox but Darque will be both weakened and in our world.

Speaking of Darque... his motivation was finally clarified. Destroying the souls of everything on ear after causing planetary extinction so as to put an end to misery? I can dig that for a mystical big bad. Like Galactus but for souls, almost.

And I thought that was Armstrong too. Which is 100% *SQUEE* awesome! Can't wait to see that connection bear fruit. Maybe in this Sect Civil War? Hmm...

[swtor1091]

Eh.... thats how i felt.... somethings worked and others dont... when this comes to trade i'll read all the parts in hopes that it all clicks together better

[Donovan]

Does anyone else find the different speech fonts distracting? I'm fine with the wavy borders and coloured balloons, but I don't really find that Shadowman's font adds anything to his character or the story, other than to pull me out of the moment and wish they used a different font, or just the standard lettering font used for the rest of the book...

[blujay]

This issue was pretty damn good, I'm glad this book has finally found it's voice. Glad to see Jaunty pop back in, we haven't seen much of him in recent issues

Also Armstrong in the picture was pretty cool

[Zaphod]

I enjoyed this book, it does seem to be heading in the right direction. I enjoy the divergent art for multiple realms, I understand the need and utility of doing it and it's done in an artistic way the support the story.

I really liked the Armstrong easter egg.

I've been highly critical of the series, so far, JJ is proving that he was building towards a satisfying explanation for all of it. Kudos.

[KXXX]

I loved it. Deadside feels like Deadside and for that I'm hooked.

[BugsySig]

Strong issue. Loved the De La Torre pages (please, please, please get him to be the regular artist on this book ) could have done without the others. Normally Larosa is solid, but these pages seemed rushed. DLTs pages just bring soooooo much to the tone and quality of the book.

And I immediately thought that was Armstrong in that pic with Dox.

[DrSoup007]

Arguably the best Shadowman issue other than #0. It was important to the story and worth the time to delve into something that hadn't been pulled out to much. The "eaters" were freaking creepy, I like what De La Torre did with what he could, it seemed sketched and then painted is what it felt like at some panels and I like that.

[grendeljd]

Pretty solid issue, lots of cool bits in there. Those 'Eaters' rate high on the creepy scale, for sure.

Decent speech from Master Darque about his motivations, good to see a bit of complex reasoning behind it to flesh out what would otherwise be standard generic 'evil' fare. Loved the story bits with Jaunty & the fact that he/it is trying to save souls from what feels like a very dire situation in the Deadside.

Lots of great art this issue - De La Torre for the win!! Also great to see Larossa in there for a few, though it did look a little rougher than some of his other Valiant work to date. Maybe because it was inked? I think his pages have usually just been scanned pencils, but I could be wrong. I hate to say it, but I'm not a big fan of Neil Edwards work on the book so far, and this issue I think I've pinpointed a main reason why - I don't like the way he draws Jack as Shadowman, in particular the mask portion of his face. The black around the eyes is too small, and I don't think we should be able to see eyebrows - that makes it look like his face is painted white, but yet there is still a line over his mouth that suggests it is still a mask.

[BugsySig]

I hate to say it, but I'm not a big fan of Neil Edwards work on the book so far, and this issue I think I've pinpointed a main reason why - I don't like the way he draws Jack as Shadowman, in particular the mask portion of his face. The black around the eyes is too small, and I don't think we should be able to see eyebrows - that makes it look like his face is painted white, but yet there is still a line over his mouth that suggests it is still a mask.

+ 1 to all of that

[DrSoup007]

I'm not a big fan of Neil Edwards work on the book so far, and this issue I think I've pinpointed a main reason why - I don't like the way he draws Jack as Shadowman, in particular the mask portion of his face. The black around the eyes is too small, and I don't think we should be able to see eyebrows - that makes it look like his face is painted white, but yet there is still a line over his mouth that suggests it is still a mask.

+1 I can agree no more!

[Captain Craig]

This arc continues to improve upon VEI's Shadowman. The book is getting more into the book I wanted late into the second arc.

I'm kinda thinking Baron will be this back/forth type character now. A very anti-villain type thing. Not anti-hero. He's not likely to have enough power to be a full threat but in looking out for #1 he's going to cross paths with Jack. Likewise, he can't be trusted by Darque so like now may team up with forces of good to save himself. Could make for an interesting character rotating in/out of the book.

I have no problem with the shifting text boxes as someone asked. I find it helps in directing the tone and flow of the speaker.
The art, both of them, was fine this issue. Last issue felt off but it rebounded here.

Dox...he better live. Darque does seem to be toying with him. If I had one complaint it would be the cliche of the bad guy spelling out his master plan, letting a hero live, when killing him 6 panels ago would've made sense in all reality.

That was Archer in the picture, I think I glossed over that. Eager to check it out when I get home from work.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Arguably the best Shadowman issue other than #0. It was important to the story and worth the time to delve into something that hadn't been pulled out to much. The "eaters" were freaking creepy, I like what De La Torre did

[BugsySig]

This arc continues to improve upon VEI's Shadowman. The book is getting more into the book I wanted late into the second arc.

I'm kinda thinking Baron will be this back/forth type character now. A very anti-villain type thing. Not anti-hero. He's not likely to have enough power to be a full threat but in looking out for #1 he's going to cross paths with Jack. Likewise, he can't be trusted by Darque so like now may team up with forces of good to save himself. Could make for an interesting character rotating in/out of the book.

I have no problem with the shifting text boxes as someone asked. I find it helps in directing the tone and flow of the speaker.
The art, both of them, was fine this issue. Last issue felt off but it rebounded here.

Dox...he better live. Darque does seem to be toying with him. If I had one complaint it would be the cliche of the bad guy spelling out his master plan, letting a hero live, when killing him 6 panels ago would've made sense in all reality.

That was Archer in the picture, I think I glossed over that. Eager to check it out when I get home from work.

I seem to remember one of the VEI guys saying Samedi would be a major player in the VU.

Also...just a thought...second issue without Dr. Mirage, but I'm thinking she plays a big role next issue. Jack says they are not alone. I think he is referring to the dead souls in Deadside--who Mirage could have helped to organize against Darque...

[Captain Craig]

You know I had totally managed to forget about Dr.Mirage.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

You know I had totally managed to forget about Dr.Mirage.

same here actually. Although, I did think that the girl that Jaunty rescued was the same girl that came to Dr. Mirage in the prison. Anyone else think that?

[BugsySig]

You know I had totally managed to forget about Dr.Mirage.

same here actually. Although, I did think that the girl that Jaunty rescued was the same girl that came to Dr. Mirage in the prison. Anyone else think that?

Good call...she also had a stuffed bunny that Mirage used.

[sonicdan]

Also great to see Larossa in there for a few, though it did look a little rougher than some of his other Valiant work to date. Maybe because it was inked? I think his pages have usually just been scanned pencils, but I could be wrong.

I thought it was great to see LaRosa do some more pages. He does ink his own work and also helped Edwards with layouts. I posted the originals here:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=40663" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I believe there was some tight deadlines. He indicated he would have liked to of spent more time on the photos on the wall.
I do like that we see Armstrong. Sandra Darque is in one of the photos too!
DAN

[pixierosa]

I think you guys are correct - the timing is right for Dr. Mirage to step in with help. It also makes sense that the little girl is the same from her case. Good catch!

LaRosa always does good work. It was cool to see his layout process. I am also liking De La Torre's artwork.

I like the premise of the soul tree. Similar to the original series and that tree in the swamp but far more sinister. The soul eaters are an interesting concept. Still not clear on why he needs both them and souls lashed to the tree - is one a more powerful energy source or is it just dramatics for our benefit? They're a little bit like Hellraiser meets Edward Scissorhands.

Overall, I think the writing has been more solid since they've shifted to one author. Bit more cohesive.

[BugsySig]

Also great to see Larossa in there for a few, though it did look a little rougher than some of his other Valiant work to date. Maybe because it was inked? I think his pages have usually just been scanned pencils, but I could be wrong.

I thought it was great to see LaRosa do some more pages. He does ink his own work and also helped Edwards with layouts. I posted the originals here:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=40663" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I believe there was some tight deadlines. He indicated he would have liked to of spent more time on the photos on the wall.
I do like that we see Armstrong. Sandra Darque is in one of the photos too!
DAN

You can also just make out a Shadowman with a dead Pteradactyl in one of the pics...a trip to the Faraway, perhaps

[lorddunlow]

Seriously surprised Justin Jordan hasn't popped in to confirm the little girl being the same that visited Dr. Mirage.

[Zaphod]

Seriously surprised Justin Jordan hasn't popped in to confirm the little girl being the same that visited Dr. Mirage.

we may have been shunned.

[Captain Craig]

You know I had totally managed to forget about Dr.Mirage.

same here actually. Although, I did think that the girl that Jaunty rescued was the same girl that came to Dr. Mirage in the prison. Anyone else think that?

Good call...she also had a stuffed bunny that Mirage used.

With Mirage and the girl w/her bunny out of action for an issue I can tell this arc is going to read much smoother and tighter in trade.
Sixty days later is a big gap, 40 pages later....not so much.

[JustinJordan]

Seriously surprised Justin Jordan hasn't popped in to confirm the little girl being the same that visited Dr. Mirage.

we may have been shunned.

Shunned!

SHUNNED!

Nah, I just think some things are more interesting if you're left to speculate.