Comic Book Review: American Gods #1 - Dark Horse Comics

"Shadows"
Story and Words by Neil Gaiman
Script and Layouts by P. Craig Russell
Art by Scott Hampton

"Somewhere in America"
By P. Craig Russell and Lovern Kindzierski

Shadow Moon is preparing to be let out of prison.  He has a wife waiting for him at home an a job working with his best friend.  Things seem to be looking up for Shadow but there is a storm coming.

I am a big fan of the "American Gods" novel by Neil Gaiman and I was happy that the adaptation to comic book worked as well as it did.  It has been a few years since I have read the novel but reading this comic book brought back those memories and makes me eager to, not only read more of the comic, but to also watch the upcoming "American Gods" live action series on STARZ.

One of the things I find fun about reading adaptations is seeing how similar or different characters look.  When reading a novel, I tend to get a picture in my head and it is interesting to see another person's interpretation turns out to be.  Most people came out very similar, other than Mister Wednesday.  Not a huge deal, just different than what i pictured.  I am sure the STARZ series will be full of surprises in that respect.

The art itself looks good throughout this book.  The art especially shines in the "Somewhere in America" mini story(something else that is in the novel).  I am a big fan of  Lovern Kindzierski's colors as I have reviewed a number of books that he worked on.

I received this comic book in the Comic Block subscription box and you can read my review of the entire box here.  Let me know your thoughts on this comic, the novel, or how you think the television series will be.  Place your comments in the section below or find us on social media.

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Comic Book Review: The Shadow - Issue 4 - Dynamite

“The Shadow"  Issue #4

Written By: Cullen Bunn

Art By: Giovanni Timpano and Marco Lesko

The issue begins with the Shadow monologuing about a item he took from London in the last issue, and the author of that particular item, while making his way back to America. We then cut to Los Angeles, California, where the Shadow is attending a magicians show for high paying customers who enjoy grand spectacles. More dialogue confirms in the minds of the reader that the Shadow is a servant of justice and will stop at nothing to ensure that the guilty pay for their crimes. The Shadow makes his way back stage to discover who else is behind these recent criminal actions and he’s confronted by the Sandman once more. After a brief entanglement it’s revealed that they aren’t the only two there and it’s not looking good for the Shadow or the Sandman.

This issue was dialogue heavy which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You need some issues to explain more about what has and will be occurring in the series. This felt like that issue. While there is some enjoyable action towards the end the one aspect that I enjoyed the most was a two page spread showing the mind of a writer who composes stories from nightmares. The art work was unique and I was entranced. The panels used to tell the story were not typical squared off panels and it flowed so well across two pages. Excellent work on the art early in the issue.

The Sandman is becoming quite a complex villain as we move from issue to issue getting just a little bit more of his character with every encounter he has with the Shadow. I’m not fully convinced he’s as menacing as I feel we’re being led to believe. He feels like that one villain who talks too much, is a adequate fighter but escapes on some level of luck, similar to Bond villains. None the less, he’s proving to be a challenge to the Shadow and that keeps his character entertaining to read. 

Again, another $3.99 well spent. This series continues to build and build upon the detective type story with the golden age of Hollywood design. The Shadow and all characters present had some enjoyable dialogue this issue and I still look forward to reading the next issue. Who knows what evil lurks in the pages of the next issue? Only the Shadow knows… so stop by your local comic book shop and pick a copy up today. Oh, and tell them Maskerpiece Theatre sent you. 

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Comic Book Review: The Shadow - Issue 3 - Dynamite

“The Shadow"  Issue #3

Written By: Cullen Bunn

Art By: Giovanni Timpano and Marco Lesko

The issue begins with the Shadow battling wild and mysterious beasts who have been released from their cages. After defeating the animals the Shadow finds Sandman in a room full of mutilated human bodies, seemingly dead, and the dialogue between characters tells us there’s more to Sandman than just being a hired hand to kill the Shadow. Furthermore, it’s revealed that there’s another secret society of magicians and in order to find out more about this war that is building the Shadow must travel to London. There he meets one of Houdini’s competing magicians and friend but their time together is cut short when Shadow discovers that she has been poisoned. 

This issue starts off with action and ends with murder. What a ride this issue was! The art work done for the room full of mutilated bodies was enjoyable. It’s not every day I read a comic that has bodies lying dead on the floor from being strangled but somehow the strangling hand was cut off. Also, what type of murderer pops out someones eyes and then lays them next to the head of the now presumably dead body? This issue pulled out all the stops for murder and mayhem. 

The dialogue between Shadow and Sandman was entertaining as well. We learn that Sandman is more methodical than originally thought and he’s not just a hit man, but more a calculated assassin of sorts. The writing also informs us that Shadow realizes his powers are being tested and that he needs to increase his abilities to become more powerful in order to stop the secret societies of magicians that are waging war on each other. 

This series will be staying at $3.99 it appears but I’ve accepted that and I still feel it’s worth it. I also still feel that even a dollar less would attract more readers who might not know anything about The Shadow. It’s worth the read if you’re into the 1940’s era detective crime and murder saga’s. It’s worth the read if you’re into magic also. Stop on by your local comic book shop and pick a copy up today. Oh, and tell them Maskerpiece Theatre sent you. 

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Comic Book Review: The Shadow - Issue 2 - Dynamite

"The Shadow"  Issue #2

Written By: Cullen Bunn

Art By: Giovanni Timpano and Marco Lesko

The issue begins with the Shadow in a graveyard speaking to the grave of Houdini who has been dead for 10 years. We cut to a shipping yard where the Society of United Magicians is seeking the aid of “Sandman” who brings with him boxes full of mysterious and powerful creatures. From we cut to the Shadow interrogating a man who tells us the back story on Houdini’s last great spell and it’s origins., why the Magicians want it and what it’s potential power is. 

“The Shadow” continues to entertain in this second issue. We find out how desperate the Society of United Magicians is and to what lengths they’ll consider to achieve their goal. The Shadow continues to build on his knowledge using his detective skills and interrogation methods that only he has at his disposal. The final pages reveal that there’s more danger in store for our hero and I can’t wait to read how the Shadow handles this threat. 

This issue was $3.99 but could’ve been $2 and still been just as enjoyable. I don’t feel the $4 price tag was unreasonable but this series could be less expensive and would probably reach more readers. “The Shadow” is a fun read and it’s sometimes campy delivery works well. I’m excited for read more in this series and want to see how far the magicians will go to achieve the knowledge that they seek. 

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Comic Book Review: The Shadow -Issue 1 - Dynamite

“The Shadow"  Issue #1

Written By: Cullen Bunn

Art By: Giovanni Timpano and Marco Lesko

The issue begins with a magician, Carlini, dying in bed and being greeted by “The Society of United Magicians" who are in search of Houdini’s last great magic trick, from beyond the grave. From there it cuts to a circus where the Shadow is trying to apprehend another magician while battling circus freaks, who are literally shooting themselves at him from cannons. It’s revealed that the Magicians are searching for Houdini’s secret with violent means but only the Shadow knows Houdini’s secret and the Magicians will not stop until they’ve uncovered the secret… by any means necessary.

What a fun trip back into the world of “The Shadow” and mystery meets crime drama. All the aspects of the Shadow are captured here and even the dialogue is appropriate to the character and the world this story takes place in. Old cars, old planes, old guns, classic outfits and hairstyles, it’s all here. Even the font used when the Shadow laughs and disappears feels right. If you’re a fan of the Shadow you’ll appreciate this issue. If you aren’t yet a fan, you might still enjoy the campy feel of a 1940’s murder mystery that deals with magicians.

The initial issue was only $1 and well worth it. The story is well paced and keeps you engaged without slowing down too much for dialogue. The swiftness in which the Shadow moves is captured here as well and if you grew up listening to, or recently have enjoyed, the old radio shows you can hear Orson Welles maniacal laugh each time the laugh happens in this issue. I’m curious to see where the story goes with this nefarious group calling themselves “The Society of United Magicians” and I hope after reading you are too. 

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