The new VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT has been knocking it out of the park since the debut of X-O MANOWAR several months back and SHADOWMAN might just prove to be THE most enjoyable book of the entire new Valiant line.
This particular version of Jack Boniface (aka Shadowman) is not a saxophone playing musician as seen in his first incarnation, but rather a a son searching for his past. There have been other Shadowmen before Jack...including his father as revealed in the story (a plot point that feels strangely reminscent of both the original SHADOWMAN and the ACCLAIM relaunch of TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER).
At the center of the book is a mystic amulet passed down from Jack's mother that has kept the craziness away from Boniface until he takes it off in a fit of anger when he discovers the criminal background of his parent's past...which sets the entire story in motion and turns the story quickly from dark drama to horror. The amulet also allows the Shadowman power to find Jack and Shadowman is born.
I really hope (and expect) to see more of Jack's father...who looks insanely cool in his version of the Shadowman garb. I also really want to see more of MASTER DARQUE, whose design is a great contrast the original DARQUE from the original V1 universe.
All in all, it's a solid and creepy start to what should be a great series. The artwork wasn't Zircher's best...but captured the dark feel of the book nicely.
There's 4 different variant covers to this issue...with a "SHADOWMAN BLACK" issue limited to 500 copies sent out to comic stores in September in preparation of the comic book. Some collectors might mistaken this issue for the all-black PULLBOX variant, but you won't find the SHADOWMAN BLACK issue for less than $75...and if you do, you might want to consider snagging it if you're a Valiant completist like me. But buy this book for the story! It's a great start to what should be a great series.