The Shadow

• Title: The Shadow #19
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Chris Roberson
• Artist: Andrea Mutti

Although I’m not the biggest fan of Andrea Mutti’s art in the issue, The Shadow #19 marks a good opportunity for those looking for a place to jump in on the title. The issue not only begins a new story arc involving the mysterious past of the man known to the world as Lamont Cranston but also reintroduces Margo Lane, The Shadow’s network of spies around New York City, and his ability to coerce information out of unwitting allies (such as the police commissioner) as The Shadow searches for a connection between the Russian mob and a series of kidnappings of young women from wealthy local families.

Putting both his network and the intimidation tactics of his alter-ego to good use, Cranston manages to locate and save every single victim but what he finds at the scene will force The Shadow to leave New York City and journey halfway around the world to understand what the box containing a severed finger wearing a ring very much like his own signifies. The issue sets up the larger mystery with a single-issue tale that works well all on its own. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

• Title: Noir #1
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Victor Gischler
• Artist: Andrea Mutti

Written by Victor Gischler, whose run on The Shadow I quite enjoyed, the new five-issue mini-series from Dynamite Comics stars the Black Sparrow (a character introduced by Gischler in his run) and Miss Fury (who only appears in the final panels of this first issue).

Noir #1 sets up the storyline of the mini-series (a lost Templar treasure many are willing to kill to find) and we’ll as offering the reunion between The Shadow and the Black Sparrow who pick-up right where they left off with threats, innuendos, flirting, double-crosses, and danger.

After having a precious Moonstone stolen from her (which she rightly stole all on her own for a client she then decided to double-cross), the Black Sparrow shows up in Lamont Cranston’s home with an unusual proposition. Although he knows he can’t trust her, The Shadow agrees as the pair delve into the mystery of the stone and how it is linked to a small tower in Newport which some believe was constructed by the Knights Templar.

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Noir #1Read More »

• Title: The Shadow: Year One #6 (of 8)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Matt Wagner
• Artist: Wilfredo Torres

The early days of Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane‘s relationship continues as The Shadow hits the streets looking for answers about the oppressive force he feels lurking behind the gang war and Margo, in an attempt to prove her use to her scary new friend, decides to help the vigilante find missing crime boss Big Gun Massaretti who once tried to have the former lady of the evening thrown off a rooftop.

I’m very surprised that six issue into the eight-issue mini-series our hero is still largely blind to his true adversary. Given that only two issues remain I’m guessing the eventual confrontation between the two may be relatively short given that our hero has yet to even learn his name.

Issue #6 plays on a common damsel in distress theme as Margo takes a foolish chance that puts her in danger with The Shadow nowhere in sight. Since we know Ms. Lane isn’t destined to die, I’d expect The Shadow to make a miraculous save before returning to hunt down his true enemy. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]