The Shadow

• Title: The Shadow #24
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chris Roberson
• Artist: Giovanni Timpano

The series’ two-issue finale begins here with a string of unexplained deaths in Chinatown and the coordinated rise of the recent undead by an unknown force planning on taking control of New York City. The unexpected horror-element is a surprise as The Shadow dismisses reports of the walking dead only to be attacked by a mob of zombies.

Although The Shadow learns why some in Chinatown believe the dead are rising from the grave, I’m betting the answer is far more nefarious and complicated than simple ceremonial burial practices. Given all that the unusual adventure has to reveal in a single issue, however, I wonder if we’ll be given the full story or if part will be left untold.

With Howard Chaykin on deck to write and illustrate a six-issue mini-series taking place in the late 50s following up the conclusion of this ongoing title, it’s a little unclear where the character goes from here, but I’d be surprised if Dynamite didn’t have future plans for the vigilante who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

• Title: The Shadow #23
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chris Roberson
• Artist: Giovanni Timpano

After traveling around the world for answers to the severed finger sent to him, The Shadow returns to New York to find the old acquaintance whose plan to use the ring to impersonate his former colleague and create a new power base in the United States has backfired.

Presented almost entirely from the White Tiger’s point of view, The Shadow #23 fills in the gaps to the man’s story including taking the gem from the jungles of Guatamala, the series of events that lead him to losing one of his fingers while attempting to assume the role of the Girasol, and his attempts to crawl from poverty once more.

The end of the issue wraps up the arc as The Shadow finally tracks down the the White Tiger (which he really didn’t need to leave New York to do), and provides his own brutal justice for the man’s crimes. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

• Title: The Shadow #22
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chris Roberson
• Artist: Giovanni Timpano

The Shadow‘s whirlwind world tour makes a stop in the jungles of Guatamala where the vigilante’s search for answers concerning the ring will have to be put on hold as The Shadow teaches some cooperate workers that deforesting the land of the Xinca tribe and kidnapping their chief will not be tolerated.

Most of the first-half of the issue is relatively uneventful as the youthful enthusiasm of two of the younger members of the tribe get their elder taken captive. Luckily for them, the legendary protector shows up to dispense a little justice.

By the end of the issue The Shadow is prepared to return to New York which brings up an interesting point. Although it has showed off the character in various locales, while providing bread crumbs to the mysterious vigilante’s past, the trip is actually a complete failure as The Shadow learns nothing of interest in any of these stops. The final stop on his journey is the least interesting of the bunch, so its probably a good time to get him back to New York City. For fans.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

• Title: The Shadow #21
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chris Roberson
• Artist: Giovanni Timpano

The Shadow‘s search for Bai Hu leads the vigilante to the Himalayas in search of a former acquaintance, a Chinese military officer who, like The Shadow, once served as a warlord dealing out death and destruction. Remembering all too well what the vigilante was capable of when he knew him as Ying Ko, Jin Fulin eagerly answers the questions posed.

Although he does not find the man he seeks, The Shadow’s journey is far from a failure as he dispenses justice on both his old friend and a washer woman whose particular method of revenge (soaking the soldiers uniforms in a special chemical that will burst into flames after too much exposure to sunlight) is both chilling and brutal.

Once again the storyline touches on a piece of The Shadow’s past without revealing too much of the man he once was, other than the fact that he lived many lives in several different countries before learning the secret to cloud men’s minds and deciding to make New York City his home. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]