Valiant; $4.99

Jack Boniface, aka Shadowman, is bonded with the Shadow Loa to be the guardian of the Liveside and protect it from the Deadside. His services are needed again with the emergence of Dr. Silk who plans to change humanity by messing with the order of life and death. He is also aligned with Shadowman’s greatest enemy, Master Darque, and plans to free him from his prison in the Soulside.

A new version of the Magpie, a murderous servant of Master Darque, is killing people across Louisiana on its way to New Orleans. Following warnings from Doctor Mirage and Punk Mambo, the team of Shadowman, Alyssa Myles, and the Abettors go after the new Magpie to stop it from taking more lives for Master Darque.

Similar to the other new Valiant books, Shadowman: Soul Eaters #1 does a very good job of reintroducing the character. Writer A.J. Ampadu provides the necessary details to refresh or introduce new readers, then digs right into the story. Shadowman is Valiant’s horror-leaning book and that comes through with the menacing design of the Magpie from artist Sergio Monjes and colorist Exequiel F. Roel.

My only complaint is that the book contains unnecessary nudity that turns it into a Mature title. Otherwise, it’s a strong first issue with a good hook to bring readers back for more.

-Amanda Sheriff