EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: Ennis' "The Shadow" #1

[CBR News]

Courtesy of Dynamite, CBR presents a look at Garth Ennis' "The Shadow" #1, including an exclusive look at new pages from the pulp-icon's return to the world of comics.


Full article here.

[havok1977]

Up the blood! I expected nothing less from Ennis

[jsf]

This looks great. Can't wait.

[Shimarenda]

It looks like I made the right call not adding this to my pull list.

[crossbones]

this seems interesting. will check out the first couple issues at least.

[Guicho]

I appreciate the grittier hard boiled "hero", and that's what I'd want from the gun-toting Shadow. Campbell's art looks great and definitely sets that mood.
I do hope there's more to it then the mindless gore-fest showcased here.



I'm guessing(hoping) the bloodbath is this one character's ("clouded-mind") interpretation/retelling of what went down?

..."Then, about halfway through the story, you'll get one supporting character's take on the Shadow's origin -- the idea being, no one really knows for certain except the Shadow, and he's not doing much talking. He makes everyone too nervous to research his origins in depth."

Definitely intrigued, looking forward to see how it's played.

They'll probably get a few scandalized knee-jerk reactions against the gore (...exploding heads & eye-sockets...really, that's how you're going to sell this?), that's probably what they were looking for.[lol]

I anticipate The Shadow inspires more than that.

[emb021]

I appreciate the grittier hard boiled "hero", and that's what I'd want from the gun-toting Shadow. Campbell's art looks great and definitely sets that mood.
I do hope there's more to it then the mindless gore-fest showcased here.

I'm guessing(hoping) the bloodbath is this one character's ("clouded-mind") interpretation/retelling of what went down?

Definitely intrigued, looking forward to see how it's played.

They'll probably get a few scandalized knee-jerk reactions against the gore (...exploding heads & eye-sockets...really, that's how you're going to sell this?), that's probably what they were looking for.[lol]

I anticipate The Shadow inspires more than that.

Problem is, this ultra-violent image isn't that accurate for the Shadow. It's something I expect from The Spider, a Shadow competitor, then the Shadow himself. The Shadow was more of a spymaster type of character. He, pardon the expression, often times worked in the shadows, deploying is various agents (who often as sort of proxy heroes, got into situations that forced the Shadow to get them out of) to deal with the situation, often before he actually appeared on the scene. Unless he was already there, but in disguise. Yes, the Shadow would kill if needed, but not in this manner.

[CaptMagellan]

Really looking forward to this!

[Guicho]

Problem is, this ultra-violent image isn't that accurate for the Shadow. ....

Nobody said it was.
And since you quoted me, seems like you missed this part of what I wrote.

I'm guessing(hoping) the bloodbath is this one character's ("clouded-mind") interpretation/retelling of what went down?

Meaning I'm guessing this is somebodies "clouded-mind" memory, (yes he has that ability too) of what went down, and he allows this image to persist.
And the relevant part of the interview I quoted.

..."Then, about halfway through the story, you'll get one supporting character's take on the Shadow's origin -- the idea being, no one really knows for certain except the Shadow, and he's not doing much talking. He makes everyone too nervous to research his origins in depth."

Suggesting he not only allows an erroneous mystique about him, but in fact encourages it, this is in keeping with the character's M.O.

Again I'm not surprised by peoples knee-jerk reactions to the blood bath, it's probably exactly what they wanted,
I'm hoping there's more to it than that.

[Guicho]

......double

[Mr. Holmes]

I was looking forward to this, but it looks like this is going to be a typical Ennis blood fare.

[Devin D]

Garth Ennis is one of my favorite writers. I won't be keeping this off of my pull-list.

Also, in response to the images post - When has an Ennis comic ever just been a mindless bloodbath? From PunisherMAX to The Boys, it's always just been fancy window dressing over a much more layered story/theme.

[Ed Love]

Nobody said it was.
And since you quoted me, seems like you missed this part of what I wrote.

Meaning I'm guessing this is somebodies "clouded-mind" memory, (yes he has that ability too) of what went down, and he allows this image to persist.
And the relevant part of the interview I quoted.


Suggesting he not only allows an erroneous mystique about him, but in fact encourages it, this is in keeping with the character's M.O.

Again I'm not surprised by peoples knee-jerk reactions to the blood bath, it's probably exactly what they wanted,
I'm hoping there's more to it than that.

I think you're missing the problem. It's not that the Shadow killed a bunch of gangsters, he did that quite a bit. It's the graphic nature of how it's presented that's a big part of the problem. Whether it's a clouded memory or really happened is really beside the point: how it is on the page, it's not in keeping with the tone of the character. It's not a big surprise considering the interviews where he lists the Chaykin series as being the best take and pretty much dismisses the pulps and any potential criticism of him not getting the character right with "I'm more interested in potential of the character".

I also have problems of the Shadow just standing there five feet away from the gangsters shooting them down with none of them getting a shot off. Even with all of his mysteriousness and ableness, Gibson made the Shadow still seem human. He cloaked the Shadow's actions and battles with an aura of plausibility. A battle like that would be a close thing and exciting. He would have to use the shadows and whatever cover the landscape afforded. He still might get wounded, some might escape due to him missing or running out of bullets. This scene makes him look kewl and bad@$$ but it's not really exciting or thrilling.

Campbell's art looks great though. Each series I see him on, he seems to improve. A pity he's not doing the Spider as his stark work would be perfect for it.

[josh straightedge]

Buying this.

[Mr. Holmes]

Garth Ennis is one of my favorite writers. I won't be keeping this off of my pull-list.

Also, in response to the images post - When has an Ennis comic ever just been a mindless bloodbath? From PunisherMAX to The Boys, it's always just been fancy window dressing over a much more layered story/theme.

I read the Midnighter ongoing, and that's basically what it was. Speaking of whom, Warren Ellis described Midnighter as "Shadow by the way of John Woo." I bet Ennis has a similar understanding of the Shadow.