Shadowman returns to the Valiant Universe this April in an all-new ongoing monthly series! The character was all set to make his return earlier in 2020, but that return was delayed due to COVID-19 concerns. Now Shadowman will make his triumphant return in a brand new monthly written by Cullen Bunn (War of the Realms) and drawn by Jon Davis-Hunt (The Wild Storm) and on sale April 28th, 2021.
Created by comic legends Jim Shooter (Secret Wars), Steve Englehart (Batman), and Mike Manley (Darkhawk), Shadowman was among the first waves of Valiant characters. First appearing in 1992, Shadowman has since been an important part of every version of the Valiant Universe and has made the transition to video games and other merchandise as well. When Valiant relaunched in 2012, Shadowman was a key character as well and has been since. In almost all versions of the character, he is the alter ego of Jack Boniface; he draws his powers from the Shadow Loa, a voodoo spirit bound to his bloodline. He has an impressive array of powers such as enhanced strength and endurance, as well as regenerative capabilities and the ability to move between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
In an exclusive announcement on Variant Comic’s YouTube channel, Valiant announced Shadowman’s return in April. The video introduces the creative team of Bunn and Davis-Hunt, discussing their past works, as well as bringing the reader up to speed on exactly who Shadowman is, his powers, as well as the concepts of the Liveside, the Land of the Living, and the Deadside, the land of the dead.
We are then treated to an overview of the opening pages of issue one, showcasing Davis-Hunt’s artwork. We learn Baron Samedi, one of Shadowman’s enemies, takes him to a mysterious mansion near New Orleans where a masked secret society is about to perform some sort of ritual, involving dousing members in blood. Shadowman immediately senses something is off and sets out to investigate. The preview ends there, and the official release date of April 2021 is announced.
Since Valiant’s relaunch earlier in the decade, the company has been successful in reinventing their stable of characters for the modern era. Their books have nominated for awards and translated into movies. Shadowman is one of their most important characters and will be returning in a major fashion. By leaning into the horror-based nature of the character, they are ensuring that his impact on the Valiant Universe will continue for years to come.
