Shadowman #0 Discussion

[Donovan]

One question I had is that when they're standing at their mother's grave, they mention other smaller graves next to it. It was wound up with the plantation slaves showing disdain for the kids. Wasn't entirely sure what the inference was, there.

I'm not sure the two are connected, but the little graves are likely for other Darque children who did not survive (either their birth or afterwards). I think the disdain from the slaves was more related to an understanding that they were "evil" or made from dark magic.

There's a line at the end of the book, if I recall, where Sandra mentions that she understood the graves now, which I interpreted to mean that their father has killed many of their children trying to achieve his magic goals.

it seemed obvious when I read it. That being said, my memory may have made this up... if someone has the actual issue, please confirm!

[Donovan]

Where is sandria now?

About to become Mothergod, perhaps?

[MarrowMan]

Heh! If I had it my way, I'd have a .5 issue to continue this! Who's with me?

[bygranddesign]

wow wow wow

10/10

up there as one of my favorite single comic in the new valiant universe so far

Justin Jordan, Mico, De La Torrie, the color artists ... KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!

The story was pitch perfect - the art was absolute perfection. I did not want it to end ... i would scan and re-read pages a couple of times before turning the page. I wanted to savor every moment ... masterful storytelling Mr. Justin Jordan, thank you so much for telling this story. The dynamic relationship between Master Darque and her sister Sandria is one of those relationships that old Valiant fans loved ... and you just took it to another level with this story.

Bravo! I can't wait for next month!

[Knightt]

Wow, for me, this is easily the best Valiant comic to date. Every once in a while a comic will come out that is one you will remember or even consider a benchmark for the line. I am ranking this Shadowman #0 as one of those benchmarks and as I am hard to please and tend to be a bit critical on the new books (I think, because of my love for the Valiant Universe). This is saying a lot. It is a book like this that makes me want to track down every cover just because it is revered for its contents. Not the cover art itself but the book is so good, it makes you want to add every issue to your collection.

The Darque characters are my most favorite in the Valiant Universe and I think this particular story and accompanying art absolutely hit the target center mass. I've not been in love with the Shadowman title since it came out but I stick with it, still being entertained, still feeling my money and faith being well spent... but it has not enraptured me (yet) as some of the other Valiant titles have. Shadowman #0 went above and beyond the industry standard and absolutely scored a touchdown with me. The pacing of the story seemed to be right on cue with every panel to every page from the beginning to it's end, cover to cover. A single issue told an intricate and rich story. When a single story, contained in a single issue leaves you 'not' wanting this particular story to end, when it leaves you wanting more and yet ultimately left feeling very and uniquely satisfied... well, that is an indication that the writer, artists, and creative team really got it right !! THIS is good storytelling.

THANKS for a the best Valiant comic that I have read (and thoroughly enjoyed it's art) to date.

[BugsySig]

Wow, for me, this is easily the best Valiant comic to date. Every once in a while a comic will come out that is one you will remember or even consider a benchmark for the line. I am ranking this Shadowman #0 as one of those benchmarks and as I am hard to please and tend to be a bit critical on the new books (I think, because of my love for the Valiant Universe). This is saying a lot. It is a book like this that makes me want to track down every cover just because it is revered for its contents. Not the cover art itself but the book is so good, it makes you want to add every issue to your collection.

The Darque characters are my most favorite in the Valiant Universe and I think this particular story and accompanying art absolutely hit the target center mass. I've not been in love with the Shadowman title since it came out but I stick with it, still being entertained, still feeling my money and faith being well spent... but it has not enraptured me (yet) as some of the other Valiant titles have. Shadowman #0 went above and beyond the industry standard and absolutely scored a touchdown with me. The pacing of the story seemed to be right on cue with every panel to every page from the beginning to it's end, cover to cover. A single issue told an intricate and rich story. When a single story, contained in a single issue leaves you 'not' wanting this particular story to end, when it leaves you wanting more and yet ultimately left feeling very and uniquely satisfied... well, that is an indication that the writer, artists, and creative team really got it right !! THIS is good storytelling.

THANKS for a the best Valiant comic that I have read (and thoroughly enjoyed it's art) to date.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

How old is Darque supposed to be then? Someone mentioned that his existence might be the sole reason that Shadowman exists, but we saw that there were a long line of Shadowmen in the past.....

[JustinJordan]

How old is Darque supposed to be then?

201

[Dr. Solar]

How old is Darque supposed to be then? Someone mentioned that his existence might be the sole reason that Shadowman exists, but we saw that there were a long line of Shadowmen in the past.....

In the "son of so-and-so, son of so-and-so" roll call in issue one when Jack becomes Shadowman, there are 5 or 6 names.

Could be just about the right number of generations to match a 201 year-old Darque?

[Blood of Heroes]

How old is Darque supposed to be then?

201

Either that or slavery was alive and well long after the Emancipation Proclamation.

[caxiotis]

I am completely blown away by this book. Loved it. The story was the best story yet.

[greg]

How old is Darque supposed to be then?

201

I love it when we get an answer from the writer!

I suggested to Dinesh that the rest of the Shadowman #0 story should be told ... in the trade!

What does everyone think about the idea that a trade paperback would be MOSTLY new (and exclusive) material?
Particularly, the Shadowman #0 trade could be 100+ pages, reprinting this Shadowman #0 and continuing the story?

Yes? No? Any reason that a trade couldn't be mostly new and exclusive material?
Seems like it would be really interesting to see how many copies would sell of a trade that WASN'T just reprints.

[JustinJordan]

I haven't seen the printed comic, but at one point the script specifically mention that the twins birth is in 1812 there in the opening. The caption was Darque Plantation, 1812, but we may have deleted that. Memory foggy.

[greg]

I haven't seen the printed comic, but at one point the script specifically mention that the twins birth is in 1812 there in the opening. The caption was Darque Plantation, 1812, but we may have deleted that. Memory foggy.

The printed comic:
"My brother and I were born in Lousiana in 1812."
"We were born on our father's plantation..."

[hawkeyeps]

I haven't seen the printed comic, but at one point the script specifically mention that the twins birth is in 1812 there in the opening. The caption was Darque Plantation, 1812, but we may have deleted that. Memory foggy.

Nope, you totally laid that down in the first caption box- "My brother and I were born in Louisiana 1812"

And the books looked amazing, all three editions. The Parker wrap around for regular issue was coup, seminal issue Justin congratulations and thank you.

[greg]

Question:
"Darque" as a surname seems like something that would have been selected on purpose when the father got into "The Art".
If so, what was the original surname... and could it be of importance?

[JustinJordan]

I haven't seen the printed comic, but at one point the script specifically mention that the twins birth is in 1812 there in the opening. The caption was Darque Plantation, 1812, but we may have deleted that. Memory foggy.

The printed comic:
"My brother and I were born in Lousiana in 1812."
"We were born on our father's plantation..."

Aha! There you go. Thanks!

I know that line changed a few times - it started out as her mentioning that they born the same year Louisana became a state (and indeed, their birth precedes that very slightly) but that was a little oblique - so it gets slightly difficult to recall which one actually made it to the page.

(Which is why I actually consult the printed books for reference, but even then, I mess up occasionally - see Anne Alafair)

[JustinJordan]

I haven't seen the printed comic, but at one point the script specifically mention that the twins birth is in 1812 there in the opening. The caption was Darque Plantation, 1812, but we may have deleted that. Memory foggy.

Nope, you totally laid that down in the first caption box- "My brother and I were born in Louisiana 1812"

And the books looked amazing, all three editions. The Parker wrap around for regular issue was coup, seminal issue Justin congratulations and thank you.

Thanks! I think it's my best work on the book, and probably my best work for hire stuff. There's a lot more to the origin of the Darques and how it relates to Shadowman, which we'll be unspooling.

But it does relate - this is Shadowman #0 not Darque #0

[hawkeyeps]

I haven't seen the printed comic, but at one point the script specifically mention that the twins birth is in 1812 there in the opening. The caption was Darque Plantation, 1812, but we may have deleted that. Memory foggy.

The printed comic:
"My brother and I were born in Lousiana in 1812."
"We were born on our father's plantation..."

Aha! There you go. Thanks!

I know that line changed a few times - it started out as her mentioning that they born the same year Louisana became a state (and indeed, their birth precedes that very slightly) but that was a little oblique - so it gets slightly difficult to recall which one actually made it to the page.

(Which is why I actually consult the printed books for reference, but even then, I mess up occasionally - see Anne Alafair)

You handled that like a pro!

By the way I got my "no-prize" and I split it with Bugsy

[400yrs]

This issue was really good. I'll likely jump back on the book on the next arc to see if there is more of this kind of character building in it.

[hawkeyeps]

I haven't seen the printed comic, but at one point the script specifically mention that the twins birth is in 1812 there in the opening. The caption was Darque Plantation, 1812, but we may have deleted that. Memory foggy.

Nope, you totally laid that down in the first caption box- "My brother and I were born in Louisiana 1812"

And the books looked amazing, all three editions. The Parker wrap around for regular issue was coup, seminal issue Justin congratulations and thank you.

Thanks! I think it's my best work on the book, and probably my best work for hire stuff. There's a lot more to the origin of the Darques and how it relates to Shadowman, which we'll be unspooling.

But it does relate - this is Shadowman #0 not Darque #0

You have enough material for 2 books Shadowman today and Shadowman past, totally on board with your unspooling and I got a sense of that right from issue #1. I put Shadowman right up there with XO and Harbinger as one of my favourite books. Each one entertains me in an entirely different way but all are very satisfying.

Not only was your story great but the artists very much delivered, it's a book to be very proud of. I know you have gigs with DC but I very much appreciate the work you are doing with Valiant and hope it continues for the long haul.

[bygranddesign]

I suggested to Dinesh that the rest of the Shadowman #0 story should be told ... in the trade!

What does everyone think about the idea that a trade paperback would be MOSTLY new (and exclusive) material?
Particularly, the Shadowman #0 trade could be 100+ pages, reprinting this Shadowman #0 and continuing the story?

Yes? No? Any reason that a trade couldn't be mostly new and exclusive material?
Seems like it would be really interesting to see how many copies would sell of a trade that WASN'T just reprints.

from a fan perspective - i would be blown away happy

I'm not sure how great it is from a business perspective. They might be better off profit wise putting out a Darque Mini-Series and perhaps cross it over with Shadowman and eventually collect the books into a trade with a little bit of new material. In any case, I want to see more of the Master Darque and Sandria story and I'm not sure seeing bits and pieces in Shadowman will be enough. And quite frankly I want Shadowman to be the star of Shadowman ! I hate to see Shadowman overshadowed! ... And so hopefully the story of Master Darque can continue in his own title, mini-series, TPB or whatever (and hopefully Justin writes it!)

[lorddunlow]

Okay, whoa!

Where did this come from? This is one of the best single issues I've ever read. Ever. I can only think of a couple Sandman issues and the last issue of Watchmen that I hold in higher regard.

If Shadowman continues like this, the Dysart and V-ditty better watch out.

I love that all of the characters in the VEI universe are so complex.

Wow.

[erwinrafael]

I am not getting my hopes up yet on the next issue. What I am looking forward to is the next story arc.

Can somebody post that creepy picture of the babies? That's the money shot that sold me to the book.

[bygranddesign]

I am not getting my hopes up yet on the next issue. What I am looking forward to is the next story arc.

Can somebody post that creepy picture of the babies? That's the money shot that sold me to the book.

you got it! beautiful opening page



De La Torre and Mico are so good on this book .. so many great pages to choose from. Valiant needs to lock both of these guys into their own book ASAP!

Its hard to figure out where exactly the Art transition happens...

It looks like De La Torre does the 1st 11 pages
Then some combo including Neil Edwards and Larosa does page 12-15
And Mico does page 16 on - the ritual scene