ALL-NEW ARC! The coming of Master Darque is upon us. Jack Boniface has just been to Hell and back. After surviving the horrors of the Deadside, Jack is taking his new abilities to the limit and discovering more about the legacy of the Shadowman with each passing night. But what if he wasn’t the only thing that managed to escape back to Earth? Something dark has arrived in New Orleans, leaving death and madness in its black wake. What’s more, the city’s deadliest cartel assassin is after Jack, and he refuses to die – literally!
Summary
A worshipper of Baron Samedi assassinates members of the “Gatherers”. In a diner Alyssa and Jack evade an assassination attempt but a waitress is killed in the crossfire. Dr Mirage is introduced while Jack Boniface learns of the Shadowman line. In the deadside Master Darque proposes an alliance with Baron Samedi.
The Good
Cover- Nifty image of Master Darque with his pale white skin and eyes blaring at us while the tattoos on his skin and the glyphs of the background glow with eerie light; it stands out on the comic stand like few others this week! The use of the color red must also be commended as it enhanced the overall package like you would never believe.
Black Hero-Jack Boniface and Alyssa are our dynamic duo thought the latter gets very little panel time this month.
Action- This issue opened with a huge bang as bodies are pumped full of lead and blood splashed across the floor. Good times!
Mystery- Who is this new villain and what is his connection to Baron Samedi? Who is Baron Samedi?
Interior Art- Patrick Zircher, Lee Garbett, Stefano Gaudiano and Roberto Delatorre combine to make this a stunning issue with a variety of styles.
Valiant- So the new Dr. Mirage made her debut this month, that’s apparently a big deal, so if you’re a fan, you’re in luck!
The Bad
Art- Having so many artists on one book may not be suitable for all readers since a few have radically different styles than the others.
Villain- I’m still waiting for this new rendition of Master Darque to fill me with the dread the original did. He’s supposed to be the great and terrible thing, but the shoe has not dropped just yet.
The Ugly
I like this book surely, it’s the only thing I’m reading from Valiant but it’s not quite where I know it could be and not as accessible or as thrilling as it should be. Overall though I must say it’s still one of the better books with a black lead on the shelves 3/5
