DCU Comic Book Reviews

SHADOWPACT #3

The (Short) Year Of Living Dangerously

September 2006

Written by Bill Willingham

Pencils by Cory Walker

Inks by Cory Walker

Cover by Bill Willingham

Synopsis

Riverrock, Wyoming, is currently encased in a blood barrier by Lady Strega, who is creating a powerful magical spell that requires the sacrifice of the citizens of the town.  Shadowpact entered the two to save it, but found themselves captured by Strega’s team, except for Detective Chimp, who unfortunately been captured by Karnevil, who likes to torture his victims.  However, when Karnevil leaves to go see Strega, Detective Chimp is able to break free.  When Karnevil comes back, Detective Chimp beats up him, ties him up, and then goes in search of the others.  Meanwhile, one of Strega’s team, the White Rabbit, is unsettled by the ramifications of Strega’s spell, so he decides to free Shadowpact.  The group realizes they can’t defeat Strega who is too powerful.  Enchantress, however, has an idea that might idea.  So, while the rest of the team battles Strega’s team as a diversion, Enchantress is able to break down the blood barrier.  To do so, Enchantress had to make a sacrifice and rather than kill anyone, she took away one year from everyone.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Wow, that was a quick ending to this story.  It almost felt like there had been an outline for a longer story but someone in editorial decided to cut it down and end it now.  All of the events that led to the ending seemed rushed and forced (can someone say deus ex machina?).  Consider that the team is rescued by one of the bad guys having a change of heart and consider that the solution to ending the conflict is to circumvent a fight.  Hell, even Enchantress’ “loss” in the last issue was revealed to be a ruse after the fact.  Despite my ranting and raving about the ending to this issue, I am still enjoying the series and I look forward to more.  Willingham has got a great handle on these characters and their dialogue and interactions are always fun to read.  And, as much as I hate to repeat myself, Detective Chimp will get me reading as long as he is feature.  Come on, what he did to Karnevil was absolutely priceless. 

I would also like to add that even thought Willingham did not handle the art chores this issue, I did not notice it until I checked the credit page.  It was a good job by Cory Walker.  I wonder if Willingham has given up entirely on the art or if this was just a “fill-in” artist. 

I do have to ask this:  if the year caused the men to develop these lengthy beards, why doesn’t Nightshade have extremely hair legs or Enchantress have hairy arm pits?  Not that I want to see such things, but I did have to ask.  And Nightmaster needs a car?  I thought he lived in that dimensional bar he owned.

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