New Shadowman creative team

[The Dirt Gang]

Holy *SQUEE*! Great news!

[kjjohanson]

Yes!

de la Torre is who I was hoping would be the new ongoing artist!

Milligan's take on Jack sounds great.

and they are making Shadowan's look a little less superhero-y...

looks like slight changes to the design ... more gritty feel to it

Shadowman symbol now in the middle of the chest ... which I think is more appropriate

I think it's still a little comic-booky with the emblem. I'd like to see them keep the emblem for the logo, but drop it from the costume. Or at least make it very rough and sketchy to suggest the shadowy figure without it appearing to be an icon. I mean, as is, one would think that the loa has a team of designers.

[MarrowMan]

TBH I don't think he even needs the emblem, he IS the emblem. But whatever.

This is a good point, what is the 'supposed' purpose of Shadowman's emblem from a story perspective (as opposed to being a marketing tool for the character)?

There has never been an explanation (in-story) That I can think of for it in 20 years. The Harbinger Logo, it makes sense, and is explained. No other character really has one.

[Chiclo]

In later VH1 issues, the Shadowman symbol became functional. If someone fired a gun at Jack, the symbol would bend the bullets' path into the symbol where they would disappear.

I cannot recall an explanation of what the symbol itself represented off the top of my head. I always took it to be a shadow - for Shadowman.

[albahan888]

I hate to say it but I do not like this move. After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic and that might be crazy of me but it's how I feel about it so sadly Shadowman will be the first Valiant book I have to drop and I was really enjoying it so far. Oh well... I can't even joke that it'll help my wallet because I get my stuff through DCBS so I can't get the bundle if they keep offering it so I don't know how that'll balance out now.

[paradise]

I hate to say it but I do not like this move. After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic and that might be crazy of me but it's how I feel about it so sadly Shadowman will be the first Valiant book I have to drop and I was really enjoying it so far. Oh well... I can't even joke that it'll help my wallet because I get my stuff through DCBS so I can't get the bundle if they keep offering it so I don't know how that'll balance out now.

Or, since you get a bundle, give it a chance for one issue and form an opinion based on actual comic

[paradise]

In later VH1 issues, the Shadowman symbol became functional. If someone fired a gun at Jack, the symbol would bend the bullets' path into the symbol where they would disappear.
I cannot recall an explanation of what the symbol itself represented off the top of my head. I always took it to be a shadow - for Shadowman.

Having just re-read the new VH1 Shadowman HC, there is some really cool stuff in the first couple of issues that forebodes the symbol. Nettie walking into the door and making the symbol with a shadow, other stuff too. I am pretty sure it was meant to be symbol for what Shadowman is, a being of dark power that fights for the light, the man in the doorway between our world and the netherworld.

[tchalla8]

I hate to say it but I do not like this move. After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic and that might be crazy of me but it's how I feel about it so sadly Shadowman will be the first Valiant book I have to drop and I was really enjoying it so far. Oh well... I can't even joke that it'll help my wallet because I get my stuff through DCBS so I can't get the bundle if they keep offering it so I don't know how that'll balance out now.

So even if its great....you won't support it?

[albahan888]

I hate to say it but I do not like this move. After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic and that might be crazy of me but it's how I feel about it so sadly Shadowman will be the first Valiant book I have to drop and I was really enjoying it so far. Oh well... I can't even joke that it'll help my wallet because I get my stuff through DCBS so I can't get the bundle if they keep offering it so I don't know how that'll balance out now.

Or, since you get a bundle, give it a chance for one issue and form an opinion based on actual comic

Maybe I'll read 13x and see what I think since I already ordered that but it's a long shot because I admit I can be really petty and hold grudges and this is a big one for me. He'd still be my least favorite X-Writer if Mike Carey hadn't done what he did at the end of his run.

[rkjock1]

I hate to say it but I do not like this move. After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic and that might be crazy of me but it's how I feel about it so sadly Shadowman will be the first Valiant book I have to drop and I was really enjoying it so far. Oh well... I can't even joke that it'll help my wallet because I get my stuff through DCBS so I can't get the bundle if they keep offering it so I don't know how that'll balance out now.

Or, since you get a bundle, give it a chance for one issue and form an opinion based on actual comic

Maybe I'll read 13x and see what I think since I already ordered that but it's a long shot because I admit I can be really petty and hold grudges and this is a big one for me. He'd still be my least favorite X-Writer if Mike Carey hadn't done what he did at the end of his run.

I don't know. A "grudge?" He didn't kill your dog. I mean I get not liking a certain writer for all kinds of reasons, but when you start holding actual grudge that's a bit far in my opinion. That being said though, you're entitled to your opinion.

For myself, there are a few writers out there I don't care for, but I'd still read them if it was on a Valiant title. Heck, I weathered this last Shadowman arc. A VEI book would have to get pretty bad before I dropped it.

[albahan888]

I hate to say it but I do not like this move. After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic and that might be crazy of me but it's how I feel about it so sadly Shadowman will be the first Valiant book I have to drop and I was really enjoying it so far. Oh well... I can't even joke that it'll help my wallet because I get my stuff through DCBS so I can't get the bundle if they keep offering it so I don't know how that'll balance out now.

Or, since you get a bundle, give it a chance for one issue and form an opinion based on actual comic

Maybe I'll read 13x and see what I think since I already ordered that but it's a long shot because I admit I can be really petty and hold grudges and this is a big one for me. He'd still be my least favorite X-Writer if Mike Carey hadn't done what he did at the end of his run.

I don't know. A "grudge?" He didn't kill your dog. I mean I get not liking a certain writer for all kinds of reasons, but when you start holding actual grudge that's a bit far in my opinion. That being said though, you're entitled to your opinion.

For myself, there are a few writers out there I don't care for, but I'd still read them if it was on a Valiant title. Heck, I weathered this last Shadowman arc. A VEI book would have to get pretty bad before I dropped it.

Grudge is probably the wrong term but it's the closest I can think of... maybe long term boycott. Whatever you want to call it certain writers can rub me the wrong way either with their writing, their online persona and attitudes to fans, or both and when they do I tend to not want to give any more money to what they're doing whether it's on something I was liking before they came on or not or even if it's generally considered good or not. I'll see with 13X if I can get past his X-Men run or not and maybe I'll be surprised but I am still gonna be getting every other Valiant title regardless of this move which will probably be good regardless of my personal taste.

[rkjock1]

I'm very stoked about this. Not only is Milligan one of my favorite writers, but all of his best work is from Vertigo. He's a very dark and edgy writer and I think that's exactly what Shadowman needs right now. The book has really been misfiring since the departure of Zircher.

[Brother Darque]

i LOVED Shade The Changing Man, i'm excited for this!!!

[Big Red]

I can't even joke that it'll help my wallet because I get my stuff through DCBS so I can't get the bundle if they keep offering it so I don't know how that'll balance out now.

I get the DCBS Valiant bundle each month as well.

and at this point, it would be cheaper to get all the books in the bundle than to drop one book.

You can get all 8 Valiant books for $16 in the bundle or get them all but Shadowman separately and pay $20.72.

Just sayin'.

[Phoenix8008]

Well, I don't have any previous history or knowledge of Milligan one way or the other, so I'm neutral in that respect. Since I've been of the opinion that the title needed a shakeup to make it better, I'm looking forward to the change and hoping for the best. I hadn't dropped the title already, so there's no reason for me to do so now.

After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic ...

What title/issues did Milligan do a run on in X-Men? I've been a big fan of X-Men in the past, but recent years of Marvel's GIANT EVENTS and other things I didn't care for pushed me mostly out of their house. I'm just wondering if the Milligan run was on anything I might have read.

While I can understand boycotting certain authors or entertainers for various reasons, I'd love to hear what about his run cheesed you off so much.

[albahan888]

Well, I don't have any previous history or knowledge of Milligan one way or the other, so I'm neutral in that respect. Since I've been of the opinion that the title needed a shakeup to make it better, I'm looking forward to the change and hoping for the best. I hadn't dropped the title already, so there's no reason for me to do so now.

After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic ...

What title/issues did Milligan do a run on in X-Men? I've been a big fan of X-Men in the past, but recent years of Marvel's GIANT EVENTS and other things I didn't care for pushed me mostly out of their house. I'm just wondering if the Milligan run was on anything I might have read.

While I can understand boycotting certain authors or entertainers for various reasons, I'd love to hear what about his run cheesed you off so much.

Well what I've heard of his attitude about it (which could be wrong) and his treatment of Gambit and Rogue as if X-Treme X-Men had never happened (which I hadn't read at the time) and the fact that Gambit ended up in limbo because of his run (though most likely not his call) and then that his run lead to Mike Carey... that's all not good in my opinion. It just was a bad run to me and rubbed me the wrong way about his writing so I generally avoid his work since then. That was also the first time I subscribed to a comic because I saw that Gambit and Rogue would be in it and Gambit's my favorite X-Men character if not favorite overall and that probably increased the dislike of his run especially when I added the context in later and given what happened to Gambit since because he became Death. So probably majority of issues aren't his fault given the way Marvel editorial has shown they act since then but you only get one first impression and it was a bad one for me.

[tchalla8]

Well, I don't have any previous history or knowledge of Milligan one way or the other, so I'm neutral in that respect. Since I've been of the opinion that the title needed a shakeup to make it better, I'm looking forward to the change and hoping for the best. I hadn't dropped the title already, so there's no reason for me to do so now.

After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic ...

What title/issues did Milligan do a run on in X-Men? I've been a big fan of X-Men in the past, but recent years of Marvel's GIANT EVENTS and other things I didn't care for pushed me mostly out of their house. I'm just wondering if the Milligan run was on anything I might have read.

While I can understand boycotting certain authors or entertainers for various reasons, I'd love to hear what about his run cheesed you off so much.

Well what I've heard of his attitude about it (which could be wrong) and his treatment of Gambit and Rogue as if X-Treme X-Men had never happened (which I hadn't read at the time) and the fact that Gambit ended up in limbo because of his run (though most likely not his call) and then that his run lead to Mike Carey... that's all not good in my opinion. It just was a bad run to me and rubbed me the wrong way about his writing so I generally avoid his work since then. That was also the first time I subscribed to a comic because I saw that Gambit and Rogue would be in it and Gambit's my favorite X-Men character if not favorite overall and that probably increased the dislike of his run especially when I added the context in later and given what happened to Gambit since because he became Death. So probably majority of issues aren't his fault given the way Marvel editorial has shown they act since then but you only get one first impression and it was a bad one for me.

I say give it a chance...you're only punishing yourself if it turns out to be something great and you miss it.

[tchalla8]

Well, I don't have any previous history or knowledge of Milligan one way or the other, so I'm neutral in that respect. Since I've been of the opinion that the title needed a shakeup to make it better, I'm looking forward to the change and hoping for the best. I hadn't dropped the title already, so there's no reason for me to do so now.

After his X-Men run I do not like and will not support a Milligan comic ...

What title/issues did Milligan do a run on in X-Men? I've been a big fan of X-Men in the past, but recent years of Marvel's GIANT EVENTS and other things I didn't care for pushed me mostly out of their house. I'm just wondering if the Milligan run was on anything I might have read.

While I can understand boycotting certain authors or entertainers for various reasons, I'd love to hear what about his run cheesed you off so much.

Well what I've heard of his attitude about it (which could be wrong) and his treatment of Gambit and Rogue as if X-Treme X-Men had never happened (which I hadn't read at the time) and the fact that Gambit ended up in limbo because of his run (though most likely not his call) and then that his run lead to Mike Carey... that's all not good in my opinion. It just was a bad run to me and rubbed me the wrong way about his writing so I generally avoid his work since then. That was also the first time I subscribed to a comic because I saw that Gambit and Rogue would be in it and Gambit's my favorite X-Men character if not favorite overall and that probably increased the dislike of his run especially when I added the context in later and given what happened to Gambit since because he became Death. So probably majority of issues aren't his fault given the way Marvel editorial has shown they act since then but you only get one first impression and it was a bad one for me.

I say give it a chance...you're only punishing yourself if it turns out to be something great and you miss it.

And if its terrible you can rub it in our faces

[Phoenix8008]

Looking back at other stuff he did, I see his X-Force run which totally changed that team and I hated the characters that were created for it. The art really bothered me too, but that's not Milligan's fault. As for the X-Men run, I can't comment as I only read like 2 issues of it (near the end of the run when Apocalypse was attacking). What little I saw of it didn't seem horrible, but hard to make a judgement call based on so little evidence.

Still, none of that takes away from anybody else liking it or not liking it. My current theory is that maybe he's not as good on big team books, but he did a long run on Hellblazer, so maybe single characters dealing with the occult are more his forte. That's what I'm hoping at least. I'm glad that VEI made a change, so I'm gonna give it a try as what I read in that interview sounded good to me. To each his own.

[BugsySig]

In later VH1 issues, the Shadowman symbol became functional. If someone fired a gun at Jack, the symbol would bend the bullets' path into the symbol where they would disappear.

I cannot recall an explanation of what the symbol itself represented off the top of my head. I always took it to be a shadow - for Shadowman.

I believe when Nettie first gives Jack the costume she says it is the symbol for the Shadow Loa he has attached to.

[hawkeyeps]

In later VH1 issues, the Shadowman symbol became functional. If someone fired a gun at Jack, the symbol would bend the bullets' path into the symbol where they would disappear.

I cannot recall an explanation of what the symbol itself represented off the top of my head. I always took it to be a shadow - for Shadowman.

I believe when Nettie first gives Jack the costume she says it is the symbol for the Shadow Loa he has attached to.

I believe he can also remove the symbol from his chest and throw it at his foes like a giant piece of cellophane to entangle them...oh wait that was Superman

[hunter_peterson]

I am immensely excited for this! I would have loved for Ales Kot to stay on, but this is great too. I loved Milligan's X-Statix and have heard great things about his Vertigo work. I didn't hate his JLDark, but it left me a bit cold. I think he's one of those creators that needs great creative freedom to shine, like James Robinson. And Valiant will totally be giving him that, so YES!

And I do like the costume tweaks, though I also think the loa sigil should be bigger... because it IS a magical sigil that is effectively the name of the loa, so it should be prominent. Superheroic symbols actually make a lot of sense for magical characters, because magic is written and performed through symbols just like this. It also looks cool.

[krylox]

forget milligan's superhero and marvel work (except for his x-force/x-statix run). yes, it is weak and i'm very sorry for him having to write mainstream superhero stuff in the first place, since it's just not where his strengths and interests lie. but one has to pay rent and all, right?

his vertigo work, on the other hand, is simply fantastic. back in the day, shade used to be my fav comic, imho even beating sandman on the title "the best of the late 80s/early 90 karen berger-books". adding enigma, extremist, minx, human target and the late hellblazer... all of them exceptional horror/mature adventure comics.

he and dysart will rock the vei for sure.

now, i can even get over the rather unappealing variant-mania and the rather marketing/editorial-oriented story developments which were promoted of late...

[The Dirt Gang]

I am pretty sure it was meant to be symbol for what Shadowman is, a being of dark power that fights for the light, the man in the doorway between our world and the netherworld.

Great analysis Ed! I've never thought of this before. It seems so obvious now.

[grendeljd]

I am pretty sure it was meant to be symbol for what Shadowman is, a being of dark power that fights for the light, the man in the doorway between our world and the netherworld.

Great analysis Ed! I've never thought of this before. It seems so obvious now.

+1