Shadowpact?

[RichStanz]

You know I really like the concept and the characters of this book, but I am dropping it with issue 6. The writing is sort of just meandering all over the place. ... Its a shame really since I had such high hopes for this series.

Personally, I didn't mind the first storyline, but with each ensuing storyline, I have gotten more disappointed.

I like the individual issues that have focused on Ragman and Blue Devil, but the book still isn't giving enough characterization, in my opinion.

I picked up Day of Vengeance on the intrigue of the premise. Counting that mini-series, this team has been around for 14 months, and I don't really know a lot about them. Nightmaster is still a blank slate to me, and he has been sparsely used in the last few issues. Enchantress and Nightshade are just kind of there.

If you were unfamiliar to the DC magic universe, like I was, this series doesn't satisfy your curiousity - not b/c of impenetrable contonuity, but because nothing amazing truly happens in it.

D of V established at least 4 very interesting plotlines, that I was looking forward to: 1.) Who would be the new Dr. Fate? 2.) What is going to happen with the Spectre? 3.) What is going to happen with Shazam? 4.)What role will Shadowpact play as the "new laws of magic" are written?

That last point practically screams "premise!" and its honestly been so underexplored in this book. Since the first storyline has wrapped up, it feels like every plot has been Dr. Gotham (an under-explored main villian) throws a new evil, magical being at the Shadowpact, who for some reason are separated and/or disorganized, in attempt to distract them while he plans for his grand return. It has about as much depth as an episode of the Power Rangers. Each issue is just about the "monster of the month."

The problem is that Willingham is a FANTASTIC writer. "Fables" is comic book art. And you know, Shadowpact is still an amazing concept for a team. And everytime they display the Oblivion Bar on panel, you get a glimpse of pure imagination.
But for all the wild, fun frenzied energy that "D of V" brought in introducing a new status quo for DC magic, none of it is in this book.

The Dr. Fate plotline is being resolved in its own mini-series (5 issues in 2 months - something I can't throw money at) which will feature members of Shadowpact. I see no reason why it couldn't have been resolved in their own book.

The Spectre is being addressed in 2 of his own mini-series, with back-up stories by Brian Azzarello that, in my opinion deliver far much more entertainment, as he uses Dr. 13 to examine the weirder corners of DC supernatural.

And Shazam is being handled in his own mini-series. "D of V" established so many plot threads that I (maybe naively) assumed would be addressed in "Shadowpact." But instead I would have to buy 4 books (5 once the Fate event happens) if I wanted the complete story. And they all have great creative teams involved. But I can't afford that many new books.

And seems like when the dust settled, Willingham was left to write about the scraps with some really engaging characters that can't quite live up to their potential.

I'm ready to drop this book, but I'm not sure sure if I should stick around for this Demon storyline. It seems like the story this book should have had months ago.

[Bloody Thumb]

Is this the first time the Bar has shown up in DC comics? I just wonder because Marvel did essentially the same idea in the Mid Ninties in it's ghost rider series. Both companies useing a similiar idea like that for similiar purposes makes me think the idea actually probably began some where else.

[Belfast_Fanboy]

Yeah like in a Image or Dark horse comic lol no i think the bar has been around before i seem to vaugely remember it in the back of my mind and im not really a big DC reader before this past year or 2?

[Jack Zodiac]

Nope. First time the bar showed up was Day of Vengeance.

[shaxper]

Personally, I didn't mind the first storyline, but with each ensuing storyline, I have gotten more disappointed.

I like the individual issues that have focused on Ragman and Blue Devil, but the book still isn't giving enough characterization, in my opinion.

I picked up Day of Vengeance on the intrigue of the premise. Counting that mini-series, this team has been around for 14 months, and I don't really know a lot about them. Nightmaster is still a blank slate to me, and he has been sparsely used in the last few issues. Enchantress and Nightshade are just kind of there.

If you were unfamiliar to the DC magic universe, like I was, this series doesn't satisfy your curiousity - not b/c of impenetrable contonuity, but because nothing amazing truly happens in it.

D of V established at least 4 very interesting plotlines, that I was looking forward to: 1.) Who would be the new Dr. Fate? 2.) What is going to happen with the Spectre? 3.) What is going to happen with Shazam? 4.)What role will Shadowpact play as the "new laws of magic" are written?

That last point practically screams "premise!" and its honestly been so underexplored in this book. Since the first storyline has wrapped up, it feels like every plot has been Dr. Gotham (an under-explored main villian) throws a new evil, magical being at the Shadowpact, who for some reason are separated and/or disorganized, in attempt to distract them while he plans for his grand return. It has about as much depth as an episode of the Power Rangers. Each issue is just about the "monster of the month."

The problem is that Willingham is a FANTASTIC writer. "Fables" is comic book art. And you know, Shadowpact is still an amazing concept for a team. And everytime they display the Oblivion Bar on panel, you get a glimpse of pure imagination.
But for all the wild, fun frenzied energy that "D of V" brought in introducing a new status quo for DC magic, none of it is in this book.

The Dr. Fate plotline is being resolved in its own mini-series (5 issues in 2 months - something I can't throw money at) which will feature members of Shadowpact. I see no reason why it couldn't have been resolved in their own book.

The Spectre is being addressed in 2 of his own mini-series, with back-up stories by Brian Azzarello that, in my opinion deliver far much more entertainment, as he uses Dr. 13 to examine the weirder corners of DC supernatural.

And Shazam is being handled in his own mini-series. "D of V" established so many plot threads that I (maybe naively) assumed would be addressed in "Shadowpact." But instead I would have to buy 4 books (5 once the Fate event happens) if I wanted the complete story. And they all have great creative teams involved. But I can't afford that many new books.

And seems like when the dust settled, Willingham was left to write about the scraps with some really engaging characters that can't quite live up to their potential.

I'm ready to drop this book, but I'm not sure sure if I should stick around for this Demon storyline. It seems like the story this book should have had months ago.

I can't say that I haven't had many of these thoughts myself, and you state them quite well. However, while the title has consistently lacked an engaging premise since Day of Vengeance concluded, I've found the characters endearing enough to make up for it. While Nightmaster has been woefully ignored for most of this run, I think we've gotten a pretty good sense of most of the other characters, particularly Blue Devil and Ragman (both of whom received their own single issue stories). I think Willingham is taking too long to establish these characters succesfully, and I agree that he's taking his sweet time reintroducing a premise (what's so significant about the name "Shadowpact" anyway? It was eluded to many times in the earlier appearances, but has been virtually ignored since). But, despite all of this, I LIKE the characters. In fact, I like them enough to suffer through the tired premise of the underdeveloped enemy putting them through trial after trial. A lot is happening in the magic area of the DCU right now, and I still have faith that Shadowpact will be at the core of at least some of it. The title is taking it's time, but it has grown on me. I'm feeling these characters far more than I did in that first story arc, and I'm curious to see how they continue to grow together and as individuals. These characters still entertain me each issue, and I'll stick by them for that. But if they aren't doing it for you, then it just may be your time to bail.

[Schornforce]

Is this the first time the Bar has shown up in DC comics? I just wonder because Marvel did essentially the same idea in the Mid Ninties in it's ghost rider series. Both companies useing a similiar idea like that for similiar purposes makes me think the idea actually probably began some where else.

There was a similar bar in Chris Claremont's "Sovereign Seven" which was sort of a nexus of realms/worlds/whatever, IIRC. It wasn't the same bar, however.

[DMike]

It's also pretty reminiscent of the Worlds' End Inn from the Sandman story of the same name, where people travelling between worlds or realities would be able to have shelter or stories or refreshment on their way.

[Jack Zodiac]

Also, in "City of Heroes," there's an interdimensional rave club called Pocket D. :p

[Indigo Al]

I liked the latest issue, with the Demon. But now I'm worried - is Shadowpact being cancelled with # 10?

[Thnikkaman]

It's already solicited through #12.

[Apathy Boy]

What was the name of the magic bar in the original BOOKS OF MAGIC mini-series by Neil Gaiman? Was that the Oblivion Bar?

[Indigo Al]

What was the name of the magic bar in the original BOOKS OF MAGIC mini-series by Neil Gaiman? Was that the Oblivion Bar?

Nope, that was called "Bewitched", it was in San Francisco, and it was owned by Phantom Stranger/Tim Hunter foe Tannarak (i think?).

[FanboyStranger]

"Oblivion" was a bookstore in the original Nightmaster stories. (Late '60s- early 70s, hippie interest in Tolkien, "books can take you places" mentality.) As far as I can tell, it last appeared in Millar's Swamp Thing run as part of the "Trial by Fire" arc, but the Nightmaster was appearing in Steve Seagle's Primal Force at around the same time (the two stories kinda contradicted each other, leading to another DCU/Vertigo rift, which was unfortunate as Millar tried hard to have his Swamp Thing grounded in the DCU.) Rook changed it to a bar sometime before Day of Vengeance, a good move in my opinion.

[drwho]

Compared to the first issue would you all say that this book has improved a lot? I haven't touched it since the number one.

[jerrymcl89]

Compared to the first issue would you all say that this book has improved a lot? I haven't touched it since the number one.

I think it's been much better since the first three-issue arc ended. Although I do think it seems to be better in the issues that focus on one character. I don't think Willingham has entirely gotten the team dynamic to click.