Introduction for Valiant Shadowman Vol. 1! Collecting Shadowman’s legendary first appearance in the original Valiant Universe – featuring classic work by Steve Ditko, Steve Englehart, Bob Hall, David Lapham, Jim Shooter and more! Jack Boniface nearly died one night – attacked by something out of a nightmare. But since that terrifying experience something has changed. Now, when darkness falls, a feeling comes over him, an urge to destroy the demons that would defile the New Orleans night. Wild, reckless, and hell-bent on eliminating evil in all its forms, Jack is now his city’s new protector – the nocturnal avenger simply called Shadowman. This Valiant Masters volume collects SHADOWMAN (1992) #0-7 and material from DARQUE PASSAGES (1994) #1.

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This premise of this preview revolves around Jack Boniface, the Shadowman, a character who has long been a staple in the Valiant Universe. Set against the backdrop of New Orleans, the setting offers a rich tapestry of culture and mysticism. However, despite this potential, the narrative fails to fully utilize the vibrant and atmospheric setting, resulting in a story that feels generic rather than immersive.

One of the main issues I had with this preview is the character development. The main character in this preview has some complex history and deep emotional layers. But this preview is sho watered down to such an extend that the main character is very shallow and have almost nonexistent personality.

The protagonist in this preview feels more like a caricature than a fully realized individual. This lack of depth makes it difficult to engage with or empathize with the character, which is crucial for a series centered on personal transformation and heroism.

The side characters in this preview also suffer from a lack of development. Many are introduced without sufficient backstory or context, making their presence feel more like filler than integral parts of the story. Their interactions with the main character of this preview are often superficial, lacking the emotional weight needed to drive the narrative forward.

The plot-wise aspect of this preview leans heavily on clichés and predictable twists. While there are moments of intrigue, they are overshadowed by a reliance on standard superhero tropes. The storyline lacks the originality or creativity needed to distinguish it from other entries in the genre, resulting in a narrative that feels stale rather than exciting.

The pacing of this preview is very uneven with certain sections dragging while others feel rushed. Key plot points are often glossed over which have left me with a sense of incompleteness and like the creators of this preview had no idea what they were doing with this one. This inconsistency disrupts the flow of the story, making it difficult to maintain interest.

On the positive side of this preview, the artwork does provide some redeeming qualities. The illustrations capture the dark and mystical tone that Shadowman embodies, with a visual style that complements the supernatural elements of the story. However, even strong artwork cannot fully compensate for the shortcomings in narrative and character development.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 2 / 5