Shadowman #0 Discussion

[bribri]

Dear Valiant,

This is what I've been waiting for in the Shadowman series... Fantastic book. Please keep going in this direction.

Sincerely,

Bri Bri

[Dr. Solar]

The art in this book was off the hizzy.

This may be my favorite art in a Valiant book yet.

Wowza!

The story was cool too.

[Keith]

Agreed, that was a great story, and the art was amazing!!!

While I wish we would've seen some reference to a Shadowman during that era, the whole story of Darque's beginning was suitably twisted and heartbreaking enough to leave me happy at the end. Only hope is someday we can see more of the Lyceum, and just what happened when Darque eventually got there!

[Donovan]

Damn... this was a great read! Best Shadowman yet!

And I've been 'less than whelmed' by the regular series to date!

[blujay]

Homerun JJ great job

Best Shadowman issue to date, THIS is what I want to see more of going forward. This book was everything that Shadowman should be 10/10

[pixierosa]

Great story, gorgeous, moody art. Very well done.

I hope this is the new standard. This book really elevated the series.

[Mandrakk]

Great issue,the best of the entire run,I really hope that what comes after is at least that good.While I am at it,am I the only one thinking that when young Darque splashed his sister's rabbit his eyes were a bit Psiotish ? Also love the fact that Darque did Magically what the boon did through tech,on that note I am sure the Immortals would be a heck of a good source for any good practionners of the art.Would love to see something along those lines in the future.

[SJS4]

By far the best issue of Shadowman to date. Only downside was that there was no Shadowman in the book!

But it was really great. Loved the art and mood of the entire book. Have said from the start that while Zircher's art was very polished, his style simply didn't suit this type of book. He is mich more suited to straightforward superhero stuff.

Definitely looking forward to the next issue and next arc.

[BugsySig]

Amazing book. A++

De la Torre would be unbelievable as the regular artist on Shadowman.

[jmatt]

The best Shadowman issue yet. Dialogue was cheese-free. Art was fantastic. Seems more appropriate for Darque #0 but I'm not complaining. Keep this up JJ! Woot!

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.

[BugsySig]

The best Shadowman issue yet. Dialogue was cheese-free. Art was fantastic. Seems more appropriate for Darque #0 but I'm not complaining. Keep this up JJ! Woot!

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.

[JustinJordan]

The best Shadowman issue yet. Dialogue was cheese-free. Art was fantastic. Seems more appropriate for Darque #0 but I'm not complaining. Keep this up JJ! Woot!

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.

Yup.

And, you know, these are the children of the plantation owner, so they're not exactly predisposed to like them to begin with.

[BugsySig]

The best Shadowman issue yet. Dialogue was cheese-free. Art was fantastic. Seems more appropriate for Darque #0 but I'm not complaining. Keep this up JJ! Woot!

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.

Yup.

And, you know, these are the children of the plantation owner, so they're not exactly predisposed to like them to begin with.

Always nice to know I'm right

Bravo on this issue, by the way My favorite VALIANT issue to date.

[JustinJordan]

The best Shadowman issue yet. Dialogue was cheese-free. Art was fantastic. Seems more appropriate for Darque #0 but I'm not complaining. Keep this up JJ! Woot!

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.

Yup.

And, you know, these are the children of the plantation owner, so they're not exactly predisposed to like them to begin with.

Always nice to know I'm right

Bravo on this issue, by the way My favorite VALIANT issue to date.

Thanks! I think it's probably the best work for hire thing I've done.

[jmatt]

The best Shadowman issue yet. Dialogue was cheese-free. Art was fantastic. Seems more appropriate for Darque #0 but I'm not complaining. Keep this up JJ! Woot!

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.

Yup.

And, you know, these are the children of the plantation owner, so they're not exactly predisposed to like them to begin with.

First, a tip of the hat. Great issue.

We know nothing about the mother. I wonder if she's holed up in Deadside waiting to counsel and chastise an errant child like Nico, her powers surpassing even his. Could be an interesting angle... and again, we know nothing of her backstory so...

Kinda reminds me of an old joke we had here about Mater Darque (mater as in mother, someone inadvertently posted the cover of SW #8 titled as such):



No, it's the first appearance of Darque's mother, silly. A common British colloquialism.

We see her standing at the bedroom door: "You boys stop rough housing and get to sleep! Now! And you! Put down that crowbar!" Slam!

[Blood of Heroes]

I don't remember Master Darque having a first name in the original books. Did he?

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

This was an excellent book, and I'm glad Justin Jordan feels like he delivered as well.
I actually really liked the story, and the art. I still feel a little in the dark about Darque (really, no pun intended). How did he get trapped in the deadside? Where is sandria now? His eye that seems to be missing?
And where was Jack? Shadowman? This was a great story, but a 0 issue is usually about the title character, right?

[Zaphod]

Excellent job, Justin Jordan. Well written, kept me on edge. Best Shadowman to date and easily top 5 single VEI issues released.

Echoing others, I've been vocally underwhelmed by this series but this is the sort of story and writing I've been hoping for.

5/5 for humanizing Darque alone.

[Zaphod]

I don't remember Master Darque having a first name in the original books. Did he?

I remember Aram calling him ... "Pinky" I think. This book makes it quite obvious that Nicky and Sandria are pigmentally challenged. I am engaged in wanting to know more about what happened to Sandria, what drove Darque down this path.

I understand people's comments about having No Shadowman in this story but I think the Shadowmen might have began directly to stop Darque, perhaps?

Making Darque's story the genesis of Shadowman.

[Brother Darque]

Dude, Master Darque's life is like a Black Sabbath album.

[SJS4]

Regarding the lack of Shadowman, i was mostly joking. Note that Harbinger 0 was mainly about Harada's origin.

[erwinrafael]

Echoing others, I've been vocally underwhelmed by this series but this is the sort of story and writing I've been hoping for.

This is the Shadowman feel that I have been waiting for. Amazing art by everybody but especially Roberto dela Torre.

Is this how Shadowman would feel like under the sole writing direction of Justin Jordan? I hope so.

[Keith]

During my reread, one panel struck me in particular. As Darque's father is describing all he went through to learn magic, there is the one shot of what appears to be him sacrificing a slave. That slave is wearing a mask... a white mask with black eyes. A connection to the origin of the Shadowmen, perhaps?

[erwinrafael]

One thing I found interesting in this book is that I am seeing some sort of references to other VEI titles. How Darque resurrected Sandria feels a bit too similar to how the Boon works. The Lyceum is the place where all was known feels a lot like the Akashic record. The image of the tree where Darque's father was enlightened has some similarities to the significance of a tree in X-O Manowar mythology. And the glow in young Darque's eyes really looked like a psiot manifestation. Joy.

[BugsySig]

Totally thought the same things...nice, isn't it?