Review: The Shadow/Batman #3
You will rarely see me give a perfect score to any title I review. I always find something to nit pick about or a gaping plot hole that needs to be dealt with, or just some things about the issue that slows everything down. Here is, thankfully, another exception to the rule. It is a perfect comic book in every way imaginable. I truly didn’t see the end of this issue coming and I can generally guess a lot of the twist endings in most comics I review. If you buy this comic book, you buy a masterpiece!
The Creative Team:
Steve Orlando gives us his best work in writing this tale of twisted sensibilities. He guides the reader into a world of madness that only Shiwan Khan and Ras Al Ghul could create together. There is not one dull panel in this entire issue. The tension increases as our heroes discover something new about the Silent Seven. Robin’s detective skills are honed proving his worth as the son of Bruce Wayne. It’s a writing tour de force as Orlando shows his love for both franchises and this series should definitely win some kind of comic book awards for excellence!
Giovani Timpano gets better with every issue. He is clearly the best choice to bring Orlando’s words to life. The scene where Robin breaks into a prison in New Jersey is neatly rendered, it isn’t just a splash page but panels within panels. We see the birds eye view (sorry) and then the offspring of the bat charges headlong taking his prey by surprise. Then there’s a scene later in the book where the Shadow is firing away at his arch-nemesis and that is a visual treat. His style is clearly more European than American which makes his take on the characters fresh and unique. It’s stylistic and the detail in his work is exquisite.
In Conclusion:
The characters are incredibly well thought out from both franchises. The villain team up is the best fans of both characters could want. We are drawn into this world and can’t let go. I cannot praise this issue enough. The suspense builds, and the twist ending is the best I’ve seen in the world of comics. You would almost need a sixth sense to know what’s going to happen to one of the main characters. I can not wait for the next issue! To be continued. ***** (a 10 rating)
The Shadow/Batman #3
Writer – Steve Orlando
Art – Giovanni Timpano
Colors – Flavio Dispenza
Letters – Taylor Esposito
Publisher – Dynamite/DC
Publication date – December 2017
About the Author
Kevin Given Kevin Given has studied with "Longridge Writers Group" and "Writer's Boot Camp" a speech/communications major from the University of Maine Presque-Isle/Orono sites. He has created the "Karl Vincent Vampire Hunter" franchise which includes 2 novels and 8 comic books. They can be found on amazon, Indyplanet and Kindle. For a limited time you can get digital copies of "Karl Vincent: Vampire hunter" #1 and "Files of Karl Vincent" #1 for free on Indyplanet. Kevin is producing the third novel in the series "Dracula Rising" (working title) and developing "Foul Blood" into comic book form.
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