Sunday, October 18, 1992
Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt
It's the question everyone is asking and dying to know the answer to. Who is Shadowhawk?
The new Shadowhawk series is telling a four-part story titled, appropriately enough, "Out of the Shadows." At first glance, it might seem the character is the one emerging from the shadows, but in truth it is creator Jim Valentino who is stepping out of the shadows of luminaries like Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, and Jim Lee. As the only Image founder not to have a million-selling issue under his belt, Valentino not only faces the pressure of creating a compelling story, but also has to prove he's worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as While Portacio or Marc Silvestri.
If he's under pressure, apparently no one told Valentino.
Since Shadowhawk's first appearance in the back of
Youngblood #2, it was obvious Valentino had a hit on his hands. The ultra-violent vigilante was like nothing we'd seen before: part Batman, part Punisher, part Wolverine, all mystery. It was enough to make me say, "Badrock who?" At least for a minute or two.
The graphic violence of Shadowhawk has turned off some readers, but to me it opens a door of deep philosophical ideas like "what is heroism?" and "where is the line that divides good and evil?" Shadowhawk snaps the spines of criminals who are clearly guilty. What do you want him to do? Buy them tea and crumpets?!?!?
Obviously, what makes Shadowhawk such a gripping character is the shroud of mystery around his identity. We all know Batman is Bruce Wayne and Spider-Man is Peter Parker, but Shadowhawk dares us to discover his true identity. Could he be Captain Frakes or former district attorney Paul Johnstone or weapons collector Carlton Sum?
Is he even a he at all? My money is on Christina Reid, the former police officer dismissed from her job for using excessive force. There are some who think the title will go downhill once Shadowhawk's identity is revealed, but anyone who's been reading can see that Valentino is weaving a rich tapestry full of strong supporting characters, brewing back conflicts, and one of comicdoms most facinating rogues galleries.
Whomever Shadowhawk turns out to be, the first two issues have made it clear it's going to be a thrilling ride finding out. Valentino deserves credit for the gutsy decision to present us with a mystery that challenges our minds instead of a stright ahead superhero story. ¶ 6:16 PM
It's the question everyone is asking and dying to know the answer to. Who is Shadowhawk?The new Shadowhawk series is telling a four-part story titled, appropriately enough, "Out of the Shadows." At first glance, it might seem the character is the one emerging from the shadows, but in truth it is creator Jim Valentino who is stepping out of the shadows of luminaries like Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, and Jim Lee. As the only Image founder not to have a million-selling issue under his belt, Valentino not only faces the pressure of creating a compelling story, but also has to prove he's worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as While Portacio or Marc Silvestri.
If he's under pressure, apparently no one told Valentino.
Since Shadowhawk's first appearance in the back of
Youngblood #2, it was obvious Valentino had a hit on his hands. The ultra-violent vigilante was like nothing we'd seen before: part Batman, part Punisher, part Wolverine, all mystery. It was enough to make me say, "Badrock who?" At least for a minute or two.The graphic violence of Shadowhawk has turned off some readers, but to me it opens a door of deep philosophical ideas like "what is heroism?" and "where is the line that divides good and evil?" Shadowhawk snaps the spines of criminals who are clearly guilty. What do you want him to do? Buy them tea and crumpets?!?!?
Obviously, what makes Shadowhawk such a gripping character is the shroud of mystery around his identity. We all know Batman is Bruce Wayne and Spider-Man is Peter Parker, but Shadowhawk dares us to discover his true identity. Could he be Captain Frakes or former district attorney Paul Johnstone or weapons collector Carlton Sum?
Is he even a he at all? My money is on Christina Reid, the former police officer dismissed from her job for using excessive force. There are some who think the title will go downhill once Shadowhawk's identity is revealed, but anyone who's been reading can see that Valentino is weaving a rich tapestry full of strong supporting characters, brewing back conflicts, and one of comicdoms most facinating rogues galleries.
Whomever Shadowhawk turns out to be, the first two issues have made it clear it's going to be a thrilling ride finding out. Valentino deserves credit for the gutsy decision to present us with a mystery that challenges our minds instead of a stright ahead superhero story. ¶ 6:16 PM
