Dynamite Entertainment 2016
Written & Illustrated by Matt Wagner
Coloured by Brennan Wagner
Lettered by A Larger World Studios
While hot on the trail of the deadly and elusive Red Empress, The Shadow attempts to rescue a missing heiress he is convinced was kidnapped by the Tong crime leader. Falling into the Chinese gang’s elaborate trap, The Master of Darkness must find a way to escape certain death. All the while, Margo Lane and Moe Shrevnitz stand watch for any sign of trouble. Will Margo be able to assist her friend and companion? Or will the Tong death scenario claim her life as well?
I really liked this issue and how it opened. Being able to see those who are trying to adapt to America versus those who serve them, behind them, was interesting Plus that they have The Shadow, for the moment, locked in a cage well it’s a great way to begin really. More so since it picks up right where we left off.
I do like the dialogue here it’s really well done. The creativity behind a criminal’s mind in disposing of the hero yeah I think it’s great. Personally if I wanted him to meet his demise a bullet between the eyes otherwise they are getting away. Still this is comics and this The Shadow and it’s interesting to see how he’s going to get out of this mess. Half the appeal is that this man with the incredible mind and seeing it in action. Though he has given up who he works for, the Red Empress, and enough that he’ll receive justice at the Shadow’s hands eventually.
Shrevie and Margo are outside as usual when they run into trouble of their own. Ah Margo ever ready to jump into the fray that is The Shadow’s world and go running off after him to save the day. Headstrong as she is, she’s also fearless and as we see willing to go the distance. Only the title of this book is about her Death and so it must come to pass, or does it? Read carefully my friends and see if you can spot the clues that The Shadow doesn’t?
So with all the action, revelations and characterization that we’ve gotten so far things are only about to get that much more intense starting next issue. I can’t wait either as we start to see more of the man and less of the emotionless being that is The Shadow start to take control.
It must be a special kind of feeling to get to work with your son on a comic. Matt’s artwork finished and brought fully to life by his son is awesome here. Then again it’s Matt and his signature style and look and personally i’ve been a fan since day one (of seeing his work) and I continue to be everytime I see something new. The flow of the story, the use of pages and panels with backgrounds, angles and perspective all are the work of a man who's mastered his craft.
I can’t wait to see where this goes next and the emotional roller coaster ride the characters will take us on. Also to see if my suspicions are correct though after being left with rather remarkable last page they do waver a bit.
This is The Shadow and he’s awesome and the book has that old pulp quality to it but also a modern sensibility with incredible interiors. This is why the character has retained it’s popularity for so long because people who enjoy him tell stories like this that make us enjoy him too.