Tag Archives: 4001 a.d.: shadowman

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

PaperGirls07_CoverWednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: 4001 A.D.: Shadowman #1 (Valiant Entertainment) – 4001 A.D. has been a pretty great event so far, and while it isn’t the best miniseries Valiant are putting out right now (Divinity holds that title), it’s still better than most other . As with the Bloodshot tie-in comic, this one looks like it can be read independently of the main series; so if you’re not reading the main series, you can sill pick this up no problem.

Batman #2 (DC Comics) – I really enjoyed the first issue – much more than I expected I would – and so naturally I’m looking forward to this. Tom King’s take on Batman  has been solid, but at only an issue in it’s probably too early to pass fair judgement on that, eh? Plus, there’s David Finch on pencils, and as I’m a big fan of his work, it’s hard not to jump on this book.

Moon Knight #4 (Marvel) – Honestly, this series hasn’t been as good as the 2014 series, but we’re also only four issues in. I’ll give it a couple more before I do cancel it, because it feels like there is potential here for a great story… but we haven’t really seen that yet. That said, the artists’ are probably the best part of this book.

Vote Loki #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was brilliant fun. Is it particularly faithful to the Presidential election process? I honestly don’t know, but I absolutely loved it nonetheless. It’s a fun comic that doesn’t take itself too seriously at all, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

 

Anthony

Top Pick: Roche Limit Monadic #4 (Image Comics) – Roche Limi has been a great, cerebral, neo-noir, sci-fi ride right from the beginning. This is the final chapter of the trilogy that will feature the philosophical, thoughtful words of Michael Moreci, Kyle Charles’s expressive, flowing illustrations, and Matt Battaglia’s moody colours.

The Fix #4 (Image Comics) – Last issue ended with a literal bang that could potentially swing this series into an even darker direction. Nick Spencer, Steve Lieber and Ryan Hill have been crafting quite the hilarious and poignant series so far. It will be interesting to see what arises before this series takes a little break and check in on Mac (and Pretzels?!) since last issue focused more on Donovan.

Paper Girls #7 (Image Comics) – Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang and Matt Wilson continue to present an inventive, fun and entertaining ride and are introducing a whole new set of unexpected directions after the last issue. With its colourful aesthetic, imaginative images and grounded characters, this has been a monthly treat.

Tokyo Ghost #8 (Image Comics) – Rick Remender is one of the most exciting creators out there right now whose Image titles are all stellar in their own right. Working alongside the incredibly detailed line work of Sean Gordon Murphy and one of the best colourists in Matt Hollingsworth make Tokyo Ghost one of those titles that is firing on all its creative cylinders. This is also one of the most relevant titles on the stands poking at the multiple distracting vices that surround us, even though this is a futuristic setting. Now that the character of the Tokyo Ghost has been revealed, it appears that Constable Dent will have his hands full.

Moon Knight #4 (Marvel) – The best Marvel titles are the ones not directly under the sway of events and Moon Knight stands tall amongst the bunch. Jeff Lemire, Greg Smallwood and Jordie Bellaire continue the push/pull of whether Marc Spector is insane in the membrane but either way, this continues to be one of the more entertaining and visually spectacular series Marvel is releasing.

 

Mr. H

Top Pick: Batman #2 (DC Comics) – King and Finch had such a great and unique opening installment, so naturally I am back. Like Snyder did on his run, King seems to be focused on putting the Man back in the Bat. We had a whopper of a cliffhanger last time and I am so curious to see what Gotham and Gotham Girl (Sounds like she should be on the CW) are up to. Are they run of the mill Superpowers? Or something more. Really enjoyed Finch’s pencil’s last time too. Well rounded issue that I’m looking forward to seeing more.

The Amazing Spider-Man # 15 (Marvel Comics) – While I hate the whole Regent character. I thought we were done with him back in Amazing Spider-Man: Renew your Vows, this issue looks to have MJ all front and center. Anytime a writer uses her right is a treat for me. Let’s hope that’s what Slott has on his mind here.

Green Lanterns # 2 (DC Comics) – Buddy cop drama with other worldly ramifications? Yup. I’m on board. Plus I am digging this Red Dawn plot line. Eager to see where it goes.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Sheriff of Babylon #8 (Vertigo) – Easily one of the best comics on the market right now. This murder mystery set in the Green Zone in Iraq is a fascinating behind the curtain look at life in the war zone in 2014 and each issue is a master class in character study and how to use imagery to enhance the spoken word.

Civil War II: Kingpin #1 (Marvel) – What’s the Kingpin been up to? We find this out with this Civil War II tie-in, my most anticipated one. The talented Matthew Rosenberg is at the helm which has me really excited to see what Marvel’s king of crime is up to.

The Flintstones #1 (DC Comics) – The recent reworking of Hanna-Barbera characters has been interesting, and this latest one tackles the classic cartoon characters. I’m not sure at all what to expect but Mark Russell has delivered hilarity in Prez, God is Dissapointed in You, and Apocrypha Now. I expect no less from this.

Kim and Kim #1 (Black Mask Studios) – Kim & Kim are twentysomething besties out to make a name for themselves in the wild world of interdimensional cowboy law enforcement. That’s the description and it sounds awesome. The artwork looks fantastic too.

Solarman #1 (Scout Comics) – Joseph Illidge, Brendan Deneen, and N. Steven Harris bring back the classic character and gives him a modern facelift. I’ve read the first issue and it’s a must get.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Civil War II X-Men #2 (Marvel) – Magneto is ready to go to war against Inhuman and mutant alike to ensure the future seeing Inhuman, Ulysses, doesn’t jeopardize the future for mutants.  This is typical Magneto, doing what he thinks is right to ensure the survival of mutants; nothing really ground breaking, but I did enjoy the first issue and it’s always fun seeing Magneto take matters into his own hands.

Batman #2 (DC Comics) – Not being an avid DC reader, I really enjoyed the start of this Rebirth title.  I’m curious to learn more about this new Gotham hero and to see how Batman reacts to him; because Batman always plays well with others.

Green Arrow #2 (DC Comics) – Yup, another DC title on my list.  The first issues were fun, and I’m really enjoying seeing Ollie and Dinah together again.  This new iteration of Dinah is going to take some getting used to though (rock singer chick).  And the ending from issue #1!  Damn, gotta see what happens with that.

Justice League: Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – Yup, this is the third DC title on my list (Marvel is having a quiet week) and I’m a sucker for a team book.  Going in not knowing anything about these characters post New 52 but I am intrigued by the synopsis; a ‘new’ Superman that Batman and Wonder Woman are suspicious of?  Interesting.  And a couple new Green Lanterns I see.  Well, here’s hoping!

Review: 4001 A.D.: Shadowman #1

4001-SM_001_COVER-B_HETRICKIn the synapse-shattering world of the future, witness the dawn of the dead’s greatest hero and the fate of a young girl who may be humanity’s only hope! As Rai leads a revolutionary insurrection against the forces of New Japan, the legendary hero called Shadowman returns to fight another day in the year 4001 A.D.!

Whenever one is presented with a comic that ties in to a major event, in this case Valiant‘s 4001 A.D., the question that one should always ask is “how is my enjoyment of the main event going to be affected if I don’t read this comic?” The answer, with 4001 A.D.: Shadowman #1, is that it won’t be. This is a tie-in comic with at best a tenuous link to the main event.

Personally I’ve yet to read much Shadowman, so I won’t be able to give fair judgement on whether the comic ties up any loose ends, plot threads and such.

Once you get past the fact that this tie-in has a tenuous link to the main comic (in that there seems to be very little – if anything – in this issue that will impact the main 4001 A.D. story line), you’re left with a very interesting comic. Written by Jody Houser and Rafer Roberts4001 A.D.: Shadowman #1 is a very interesting comic that while it appears as a one-shot, there’s every reason to believe that Valiant will return to this set of characters in the not so distant future – and I hope that’ll be the case.

But, I hear you ask, do you have to be a fan of Shadowman to get anything out of this comic? While I’m sure it’d help, even with my lack of familiarity with the character, I really enjoyed this comic. At it’s most basic idea, it’s a familiar tale of people being sacrificed to serve the greater good, but just because it’s a familiar trope doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a bad thing; 4001 A.D.: Shadowman is a comic about questioning what you’ve been told, and whether following blindly is as good an idea as you’d typically expect.

Houser and Roberts have come together to co-write a comic that introduces some pretty interesting new characters to the Valiant Universe, and I hope that we see more of them going forward; and depending on the reception to this comic, I think that could be likely in the coming months and years.

Story: Jody Houser and Rafer Roberts
Art: Robert Gill Colourist: Micheal Spicer
Story: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Read

Valiant provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review.

Preview: 4001 A.D.: Shadowman #1

4001 A.D.: SHADOWMAN #1

Written by JODY HOUSER & RAFER ROBERTS
Art by ROBERT GILL
Cover A by TRAVEL FOREMAN (MAY161894)
Cover B by MEGHAN HETRICK (MAY161895)
Character Design Variant by RYAN LEE (MAY161896)
Interlocking Mega-Cover Variant by RYAN LEE (MAY161897)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | ONE-SHOT | On sale JULY 6 (FOC 6/13/16)

A blood sacrifice is made, a war looms, and the Deadside…rises!

In the synapse-shattering world of the future, witness the dawn of the dead’s greatest hero and the fate of a young girl who may be humanity’s only hope! As Rai leads a revolutionary insurrection against the forces of New Japan, the legendary hero called Shadowman returns to fight another day in the year 4001 A.D.!

Valiant rising stars Jody Houser (FAITH), Rafer Roberts (A&A: THE ADVENTURES OF ARCHER & ARMSTRONG) and Robert Gill (BOOK OF DEATH) reveal the dark side behind the 41st century’s coming conflict…and bring you the future of the Deadside today!

4001-SM_001_COVER-A_FOREMAN

4001 A.D.: Shadowman #1 – Brings Darkness to the Future in July!

As Rai’s rebellion against New Japan rages in the heavens above…a new Shadowman will rise to deliver justice to civilization’s darkest reaches in our world and the next!

Valiant is proud to present your first look inside 4001 A.D.: Shadowman #1 – a haunting new adventure bursting from the most ambitious comics event of the year and into an essential, standalone one-shot from rising stars Jody Houser and Rafer Roberts and acclaimed artist Robert Gill! On July 6th, a blood sacrifice is made, a war looms, and the Deadsids rises…as the mantle of Shadowman passes to one of Earth’s forsaken children in the ravaged world of the 41st century!

In the synapse-shattering world of the future, witness the dawn of the dead’s greatest hero and the fate of a young girl who may be humanity’s only hope! As Rai leads a revolutionary insurrection against the forces of New Japan, the legendary hero called Shadowman returns to fight another day in the year 4001 A.D.!

Featuring covers by Travel Foreman, Meghan Hetrick, and Ryan Lee, jump on board the next self-contained entry-point to Valiant’s blockbuster summer event right!

4001 A.D.: SHADOWMAN #1
Written by JODY HOUSER & RAFER ROBERTS
Art by ROBERT GILL
Cover A by TRAVEL FOREMAN
Cover B by MEGHAN HETRICK
Character Design Variant by RYAN LEE
Interlocking Mega-Cover Variant by RYAN LEE
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | ONE-SHOT | On sale JULY 6th (FOC – 6/13/16)

4001-SM_001_COVER-A_FOREMAN

Valiant’s Massive 4001 A.D. Interlocking Mega-Cover Charts the Summer’s Biggest Event!

Valiant has released a first look at all 12 united components of the publisher’s massive 4001 A.D. Interlocking Mega-Cover by Ryan Lee – a sprawling, one-of-a-kind interconnecting cover spanning across all 12 chapters of Valiant’s blockbuster summer event during “The Summer of 4001 A.D.”!

Beginning with 4001 A.D. #1 (of 4) by writer Matt Kindt and superstar artists Clayton Crain and David Mack on May 4th, each chapter of Valiant’s epic summer event will come complete with a limited edition variant that forms a component piece of the giant-sized, four-foot tall by two-and-half foot wide 4001 A.D. Mega-Cover. Connecting across 12 issues the cover features Rai, X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, the Eternal Warrior, Geomancer, and more of Valiant’s legendary heroes locked in battle against Father, the tyrannical ruler of New Japan!

“The Summer of 4001 A.D.” explodes with the return of Rai’s award-winning ongoing series in RAI #13 – the FIRST ISSUE of an ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT revealing the origin of New Japan and its very first guardian! Discover the essential history behind the dawn of 4001 A.D. here as writer Matt Kindt and acclaimed artist CAFU unearth the answers behind Father’s tyrannical rise to power. How did New Japan come to orbit Earth? Who created Father? And just what is Rai’s true nature…and what happened to his nine earlier predecessors that once patrolled New Japan in his stead? Discover the shocking answers as RAI #13 returns to set the events of 4001 A.D. in motion – and reveals the epic arc of the Valiant Universe’s future history!

“The Summer of 4001 A.D.” escalates even further as a staggering cast of superstar talents come aboard to reveal what the 41st century holds for Valiant’s most iconic heroes in a new series of four indispensable one-shots! Featuring X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, and the debut of an all-new, top-secret character with a crucial tie to the present and future of the Valiant Universe, “The Summer of 4001 A.D.” erupts into full force here with four new chapters from Valiant’s most acclaimed creators, ripped directly from the pages of 4001 A.D.:

4001 A.D.: X-O MANOWAR #1
Written by Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH); Art by Clayton Henry (HARBINGER WARS)
Coming in May

4001 A.D.: BLOODSHOT #1
Written by Jeff Lemire (BLOODSHOT REBORN); Art by Doug Braithwaite (ARMOR HUNTERS)
Coming in June

4001 A.D.: SHADOWMAN #1
Written by Jody Houser (FAITH) & Rafer Roberts (A&A: THE ADVENTURES OF ARCHER & ARMSTRONG); Art by Robert Gill (BOOK OF DEATH)
Coming in July

4001 A.D.: [CLASSIFIED] #1
Written by [CLASSIFIED]; Art by [CLASSIFIED]
Coming in August

Each chapter of “The Summer of 4001 A.D.” is designed for maximum accessibility and can be read in concert with the core 4001 A.D. series or stand on its own for a centuries-spanning vision of the future.

One hundred years from today, Father – the benevolent artificial intelligence that governs the island nation of Japan – will gain sentience. To defend its borders, Father will take drastic action by launching Japan into space…where its people can thrive in isolation, away from the overpopulated and resource-deprived planet below. Over the centuries, as New Japan orbits our increasingly unstable world, it will become a model society – one built on peace, prosperity…and Father’s control.

A thousand years from today, Father will create the first Rai, founding a lineage of technologically enhanced heroes engineered to defend New Japan and sworn to protect it from all enemies. For hundreds of years into the future, the Rai will single-handedly enforce New Japan’s justice well…and serve Father without question.

Now, at the dawn of 4001 A.D., the latest Rai is about to inherit the dark truth behind the origin of his kind…and discover the sinister secret at the heart of Father’s existence. For New Japan to live, Earth must die…and as Rai challenges his former master for the first time in more than a millennium, the lone guardian of New Japan will be cast out of his own Father’s kingdom…

Exiled from the only realm he’s ever known, Rai now walks the ravaged world of 4001 A.D. in search of forgotten heroes like himself…on a mission to collect the last surviving legends of a broken planet…and to forge a rebellion with the power to bring the most advanced civilization in history crashing back down to Earth.

Earth must rise. Father must fall. Rai! Eternal Warrior! X-O Manowar! Bloodshot! Shadowman! Geomancer! And more! The war for the ultimate fate of humanity begins on May 4th!

4001_Mega-Cover