Shadowman #5: The Deadside Cometh

I’ve been lucky enough to get a very early review copy for Shadowman Issue 5, the start to the major event Deadside War. And let me tell you, even without colors (that’s how early this wonderful copy is) Issue 5 is an amazing issue and a perfect jumping on point for new fans and old!

Jack is back and better than ever! After issue 4 released Cullen Bunn’s fantastic run on Shadowman took a little break, but in January 2022 Bunn’s run builds up to the event of the year (and it’s only the start of 2022)! Deadside War is going to be an amazing event that will bring Shadowman, and the other Loa’s to the edge of death and life. Issue one is an amazing ignition for this major event. Bunn’s writing in this issue is top tier spooky, action packed and just all around a good time. Bunn is really showing that he is the master of the horror/superhero world. The Deadside under his pen in this issue is creepy and full of things that send shivers down my spine. But this issue is also action packed as Shadowman faces down zombies and demons. More side characters are added in this issue as we meet the brand new Abettors; Resse, Gemma, Zaya, Elaine and Lenny. And they are a cast of characters for sure! We also see more of the Loa Gods and what they have been up to. Let’s just say Cullen really knows how to include so much in only 20 pages, and yet it feels like just the right amount of mystery to make me want more.

The art of this issue is done by Pedro Andreo, who comes over from his amazing run on Valiant’s Bloodshot! Andreo is really perfect for this series, his touch and style adds so much to the horror feeling of the series. In one part he draws this demonic stage that is just full of holes, and as someone with trypophobia (fear of holes in things) this both freaks me out and scares me, which is something this book should do! Andreo has such talent at drawing not only terrible and beautiful things, but his style also lends itself to character design. Andreo does an amazing job with the new Shadowman design, but he also does an amazing job with new characters too! For example The Abettors. They are only in the issue for a short time, yet his designs for them are so unique, that even with that short amount of pages we get to understand a little about the characters with just the way they look; a punk girl, a hippie and a biker for just a small taste. I can’t wait to see Andreo draw more creepy things!