Comics review: The Shadow #2

The Shadow #2
by Garth Ennis and Aaron Campbell

First off - let me mention there I'm coming from. As a comic collector and reader for quite some time, it would be almost impossible for me not to have heard of the Shadow. I think I first had a glimpse of the character in an issue of DC... perhaps it was a Batman title - it's been a long time, I can't really recall it anymore. 

My first real introduction of the Shadow, and Cranston was via the Howard Chaykin mini series - and boy, was I blown away! I liked what I saw - the mystery and powers (explained away as his being a trained Shambala agent), and the '45s replaced by Mac10s. I was glad to see that this was continued (at least, for a while - but without Chaykin in the mix, I felt something was lacking). Other than that, I might say I'm a tyro when it comes to the Shadow - and if the Chaykin modernization is rendered non-bearing, then I hardly know the character at all. So I just might be entering this with a newbie's angle.

Now to the review...

This is part two of the Shadow’s adventures "The Fire of Creation", and whereas the first issue focused on him being in the U.S., approached and asked for help by the American Intelligence, this issue shows The Shadow as Lamont Cranston, with perennial companion Margo Lane, on a plane from Hawaii to China.

The story gives hints – by way of the conversations between Cranston and Lane, of just how bad Cranston’s past life was. I guess you’d call this a hook for the new readers (and old readers as well… after all, this Shadow is not exactly the same as Chaykin’s more modern version – though at this point, there is hardly any defining difference as well. That may still happen – or not), in a World War II setting, and at this point in time, the Shadow has to deal with Japanese Imperialists; aside from the Nazi agents that he had to fight on said plane – though it seems, their beef is more with Cranston than the Shadow. 

It is interesting to note that the Japanese Major is under the impression that the Shadow is merely using the Cranston identity – and is not Cranston… though this little detail, he did not bother letting his German allies get wind of.

Basically, this issue is still a build up… making the readers better know the characters from both sides of the Pacific, specifically, Major Kondo and General Akamatsu on one side by way of their conversations and manner of relaxation - and Agent Finnegan whose impressions on Cranston being a maverick agent are obviously not on a favorable note – but then again, he is a career agent, so his reactions to Cranston are but natural.

Anyway back to the Shadow – his appearance is preceded with a darkening of the plane… then there is the introductory laugh, and forgive me for saying this, but this is where I miss Chaykin’s rendition of the laugh – after all, his rendition gives me the impression that the Shadow’s laugh comes from everywhere; and by that manner, can give a very chilling effect to anyone hearing it. This rendition was just… well, a word balloon with larger and reddish fonts. Different enough, but not having the same Chaykin style effect. Mind you, this is not a letdown to the series' letterer Rob Steen. It's just be a personal preference.

Other than that minor point, the Shadow came in guns ablazing… as he is wont to do He did not start the shooting – but he is quite intent on finishing it – all this is happening, mind you, while the plane is going down. He even got a chance to cloud a Nazi agent’s mind with the help of his ‘ring’.

Overall, the issue was a great continuation to the first one – it brought the story forward at a nice pace, it did not lack for some Shadow action – yet did not feel rushed and forced. If anything, Garth seems bent on making this story move forward with a reasonable pace. Aaron’s art is easy to follow, and though some panels seem a bit rushed – the characters’ faces are distinct enough, and the backgrounds are sometimes very simple, so as not to distract from the main characters, or shown enough details to  remind us just where things are happening. 

The opening splash page with the plane and it’s route is reminiscent of Indiana Jones and, of course, the story narrative style of the ‘40s. These are deftly colored by Carlos Lopez, who really pours on the reds and blacks when the Shadow is on panel vs. the brighter, lighter (meaning it has more lighting) colors of the other scenes. Does this imply that the Shadow literally brings a shadow of doom and gloom with him? Too early to tell.

I would like to definitely continue reading – and enjoying The Shadow. I was also tempted to seek out the various covers… each one a masterpiece. I ended up with the John Cassaday cover, and as great as it is, those made by Jae Lee, Howard Chaykin and Alex Ross, fan favorites all – are each ‘poster’ worthy. In fact, I do hope that Dynamite does this… bring out posters of these covers, that is. Even the cover of Ryan Sook, looks good. Though, I'd personally choose his cover last, it does give an almost Chaykin look and feel... and I did say I liked Chaykin's Shadow, right?

On a 5 star rating consideration, I’d give this issue a 3 ½ stars – mind you, this is, after all, just a ‘build-up’ and yet... where most build ups seem to stretch things into a not too necessary manner (unless you consider the possibility of padding them for trade collections, which I'm glad Dynamite does not seem to practice), and end up with a weak middle... the Shadow issue #2 continues the progress of the story - and our learning more of the Shadow himself, in a satisfying manner. So mind you, this rating is what I'd consider to be of higher quality than the usual issue #2 of other titles.

The Shadow, Lamont Cranston, Margo Lane and other characters mentioned in this review, including the images shown and published by Dynamite are properties of Dynamite entertainment - not of this reviewer.