Shadowman 11 discussion

[kevinbastos]

Thought I would be the one to jump quickly into this one - wondering if anyone else noticed the change on the Shadowman 11 cover from this:



Over to this:



I know that this one is an old Ghosts & Goblins homage...

But which game is the first an homage to, again?

[rambone]

the brady bunch

[Donovan]

Mega Man!

[Donovan]

[kevinbastos]

Thanks!

[mateo107]

oh, I hadn't noticed that, I wonder if it means that those characters aren't in play anymore?

[kevinbastos]

Don't want to make anyone paranoid.

But the high score?

5318008

I KNEW I knew that from somewhere...

[kevinbastos]

Last general commentary about the Shadowman issue - before I read it.

When I was in the store, the owner told me that he had ZERO copies remaining of the 8-bit version for the shelf - after all of the pulls. Since it didn't require him to get 20 copies, he ordered parallel to his last sales (with a few extra for the shelves).

All of them are gone.

In addition, he said that the mask version was his favorite. I went and got a second copy from the shelf for wearing later. Plan to scan and wear them - with Mads - later on tonight.

Could THIS be the place that the pullbox copies get more costly? I know that the first set of 8-bit versions are already up in cost...

[BugsySig]

Hmmm...where do I start...

1) I liked the issue. It's nothing spectacular, and don't believe it added much to the character of Shadowman, but it was a fun read. That's all though. It was a filler issue, and taken as such was good.

2) The Dr. Mirage appearance was a nice surprise and added a bit to that character after going MIA for the second half of the last arc. I'd really like to get some more explanation on her powers and background, though.

3) I don't want to say the art was terrible, but it was not good and terrible in spots. My biggest gripe though is that all the characters look white. Jack should look creol/mixed, and instead just looks really tan. Mirage in no way looks Asian. It's more than a coloring issue, but an inability of the artist to draw ethnic features. This is an issue among many artists, unfortunately.

Overall I'd give the issue a 7.5/10...a solid C effort for a filler issue.

[caxiotis]

Don't want to make anyone paranoid.

But the high score?

5318008

I KNEW I knew that from somewhere...

Turn the high score upside down and add another 5 to the beginning

[kevinbastos]

Boobies-s?

I was just checking the reg way

[grendeljd]

Hmmm...where do I start...

1) I liked the issue. It's nothing spectacular, and don't believe it added much to the character of Shadowman, but it was a fun read. That's all though. It was a filler issue, and taken as such was good.

2) The Dr. Mirage appearance was a nice surprise and added a bit to that character after going MIA for the second half of the last arc. I'd really like to get some more explanation on her powers and background, though.

3) I don't want to say the art was terrible, but it was not good and terrible in spots. My biggest gripe though is that all the characters look white. Jack should look creol/mixed, and instead just looks really tan. Mirage in no way looks Asian. It's more than a coloring issue, but an inability of the artist to draw ethnic features. This is an issue among many artists, unfortunately.

Overall I'd give the issue a 7.5/10...a solid C effort for a filler issue.

Pretty much agree with everything you've said about the issue, Bugs. Not a terrible issue, but an enjoyable read that felt like a filler in a good way [tickles my nostalgic sense for the old days of Marvel & DC fillers]. Not too much going on in terms of character development. Good to see Dr. Mirage show up - and I fully agree here, I'd like to see more explanation of her abilities - this turned into a bit of a superhero fight once she started forcing the spirits out of those guys, it looked more like she was punching them with energy fists rather than having a supernatural ability to force them.

[grendeljd]

Thought I would be the one to jump quickly into this one - wondering if anyone else noticed the change on the Shadowman 11 cover from this:



Over to this:



I know that this one is an old Ghosts & Goblins homage...

But which game is the first an homage to, again?

Isn't there a third round of 8-bit variants coming? I remember seeing both of these Shadowman 8-bits solicited, but can't recall at the moment which issues they were meant to be on.

I really love the mask cover - I should have ordered more than one! I can see that one shooting up in value a bit, what with some people likely getting tempted to wear 'em [especially if you're participating in Hawkeyeps' Shadowman day thingie!]

[tchalla8]

Talking about the issue itself. I released a big sigh of "whatever" after I was done. Everything was solid. Nothing was awful. But for $3.99 I need more than solid. In the end I have to believe this story will have no impact on the Valiant universe or even the Shadowman universe whatsoever.

As for Mirage...I'd love to forget she was ever in this issue. Drawn so poorly, and her outfit just becomes more and more of a joke. Suddenly I've lost interest in her story if that's going to be what she's like.

[BugsySig]

Talking about the issue itself. I released a big sigh of "whatever" after I was done. Everything was solid. Nothing was awful. But for $3.99 I need more than solid. In the end I have to believe this story will have no impact on the Valiant universe or even the Shadowman universe whatsoever.

As for Mirage...I'd love to forget she was ever in this issue. Drawn so poorly, and her outfit just becomes more and more of a joke. Suddenly I've lost interest in her story if that's going to be what she's like.

Agreed on Mirage's costume. At least some groundwork has been laid for her to quit the entertainment biz, ditch the stripper suit, and become a private detective/consultant.

[bygranddesign]

Just finished reading this issue

I echo the sentiments of Bugsy and Grendel ... it was a solid issue

I think Zub did a pretty good job of getting inside the head of Jack ... but he is not going to be the regular writer so there is only so deeply he can delve inside Jack and his thinking and personality without over stepping his bounds. So it was sort of a nice get-to-know-you-a-little-more type experience but nothing too personal.

My issue with the story was that it was a little bit of everything but not quite enough of one thing (if that makes sense..) a little bit serious, a little bit silly, a little bit scary... I wish it focused more on being scary.

other observations
- I like the added dimension of explaining that spirits can be summoned from the deadside .... but it was never explained whether they escaped or whether the Djab Spirit's were summoned
- The art wasn't great in spots but the splash page of the Halloween parade was pretty sweet
- Interesting moment when Shadowman and Dr. Mirage almost kiss ... i won't read into too much but something to keep an eye on.
- I like how Jack transformed ... they showed the transformation which I thought was cool ... and something we have talked about wanting to see. Also interesting that the costume was changed a bit for this issue with the added jacket

overall solid issue ... 7/10

Looking forward to next month ... anthology issue

[Bl00dsh0t]

Despite my comments on other Shadowman Discussion threads I've generally enjoyed each issue that's come out - though the story till this point did feel condensed (#0 and #10 the exception). As for #11 there were some nice things and others that left me scratching my head:

The Good:- Dr. Mirage returns. We get some insight into what she's been doing since that half arc she appeared in. I liked the little interaction with Shadowman as a potential love interest. The fight screen with the spirits was cool too. A big plus seeing her return. The character has a lot of potential
- Jack morphing into Shadowman. I think JJ tried to capture this in #1 but it didn't quite work. Zub did it well here.
- New Orleans! Yes! The city is a huge part of Shadowman, great to see the atmosphere return
- the self contained story. While a standalone it certainly has linkages with the previous arcs.
- the brief mention of Alyssa

The Bad- I got the detachable mask cover, upon first read the mask started to detached
- Left me wanting more of Dr. Mirage! I hope we don’t have to wait too long post #13 for her return. I can see a real interesting dynamic between her and Shadowman developing.
- Shadowman defeated Master Darque, how on earth did a couple of annoying/playful spirits disarm him? Probably my biggest gripe with the issue

Overall I'd give it a 7.5/10. There was a lot to like and the pacing was pretty good. Was nice to read a later Shadowman issue (in reference to #6-#9) that didn't feel like the characterisation was forced or the plot condensed.

[hawkeyeps]

Thought I would be the one to jump quickly into this one - wondering if anyone else noticed the change on the Shadowman 11 cover from this:



Over to this:



I know that this one is an old Ghosts & Goblins homage...

But which game is the first an homage to, again?

Isn't there a third round of 8-bit variants coming? I remember seeing both of these Shadowman 8-bits solicited, but can't recall at the moment which issues they were meant to be on.

I really love the mask cover - I should have ordered more than one! I can see that one shooting up in value a bit, what with some people likely getting tempted to wear 'em [especially if you're participating in Shadowtuga's Shadowman day thingie!]

Fixed it for you

The mask cover is really great, nice heavy cover stock and it's all perforated. I think it came out really well.

As for the issue itself I quite liked it especially for a done in one, we got to see Dr.Mirage as well as more of a New Orleans type of adventure which has been kind of lacking up until now.

7.5/10 seems about right, an extra .5 just for the mask cover.

[chriskay99]

Glad to see an internal monologue voice for Jack. Hoping that continues over to the book when Milligan takes over.

[Carson]

I truly think the folks at valiant listen to what we say on this board and thoughtfully consider it. They gave us several things we've been clamoring for in this issue:
- New Orleans
- Dr Mirage
- An internal monologue

It still wasn't a great issue, as many have said. But I'll give em a B+ for getting us out of Deadside and back into New Orleans.

The art was meh in most places. I miss Zircher's clean lines and dynamic composition, or De La Rosa's grimey textured style. Both were great in their own way. This issue's art was just ok.

Looking forward to the new creative team and hopefully some forward progress in the right direction!

[bygranddesign]

Didn't understand why the Djab spirits mutated the pug into a huge monster ... but didn't really do the same with the 2 humans it took over. Maybe the less evolved the host is ..the more it can be manipulated and controlled??

Or maybe the mutated effect depends on how bad the host is?

As a Pug owner ... I know how naughty Pug puppies can be...

[Donovan]

I really didn't care for the art here. In more than one place I actually had to think for a second to realize that what I thought was one panel was actually two.

Story-wise, it was ok. Nothing too special, although I don't envy a writer who is handcuffed to filling space while waiting for the 'bold new direction' to kick in. On a whole, i'm glad Valiant put this issue out, rather than just suspend the book until the new direction issues are ready.

[swtor1091]

read my review at the link below and follow my page .... I hated this issue btw so listen to me rant haa

[Magnus9178]

I love 5318008

[Aomalle27]

Well I'm definitely in the minority here, but I enjoyed this issue. It's good to get a break from arcs, and this is a decent stand alone issue. I like Dr Mirage getting more exposure (although I agree the rendering of her in this issue was off, looked more Annie Lennox than asian). Hoping for a return of the Dr too ( her husband in VH1). Also agree the rendering if Jack was off too, looked white, not mixed, to my eye anyway. Although I love Shadowmans look towards the end of the issue, two distinct parts of the skull motif, upper and lower, made him look more menacing and less cartoony. Seeing demons/ the dead that are more mischievous instead of doomsday was refreshing too.