DCU Comic Book Reviews

SHADOWPACT #16

Part Three of the Redemption Contract:  Down In The Zero

October 2007

Written by Bill Willingham

Pencils by Tom Derenick

Inks by Wayne Faucher

Cover by Tom Derenick and Wayne Faucher

Synopsis

Doctor Gotham has caused a volcano to explode in the middle of downtown Chicago.  Earlier, Shadowpact had been in the midst of fighting Doctor Gotham.  Nightshade and Detective Chimp were in the process of saving a school bus full of children when the volcano explodes.  Immediately, D.C. tells Nightshade to start teleporting whomever she can out of the area.  Nightshade teleports as many buildings as she can to her nightshade dimension, saving thousands of people’s lives.  Elsewhere, Enchantress, Zauriel, and Nightmaster go after Doctor Gotham while the Justice League and Justice Society help to evacuate whomever is caught in the volcano’s blast. In hell, Blue Devil’s attorney tries to legal remove Danny from his contract with the devil, but the arguments are not valid since Danny’s contract is actually part of his brother’s contract.  In Gotham City, Blue Devil meets with a priest from the Vatican who will perform an exorcism for Danny, provided he completes thirteen tasks.  In Chicago, Shadowpact attack Doctor Gotham and effectively reduce his power, but he is able to get away.  Now, the team must begin to help Chicago rebuild. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I like the way the logo for Shadowpact was written on the cover as if Zatanna was chanting one of her backward spells.  A great effect and kudos for whoever thought of it.  However, the drawing of Zatanna is not the greatest and the pose (or position of her legs) is not the smartest decision for a comic book that could/should appeal to young kids (or is it supposed to appeal to horny teens?).  there is a better way to put her on the cover rather than the gratuitous crotch shot that we have been given. 

As for the rest of the comic book, I think I have finally decided that out of the two concurrent plots in this book, I much prefer the Blue Devil plot than the Doctor Gotham plot.  Sadly, in terms of pages there is less Blue Devil than the volcano in Chicago.  It is a risk to write to unconnected plots in one book because if one is better than the other, the entire book suffers.  And that is the case here as the Doctor Gotham plot is standard material that is failing to hold my interest.  Too often I find myself wanting to learn more about Danny’s plight.  The sequence with the lawyer was handled well and ended (as I think so) the way it should.  The original premise for getting out of the contract was too obvious so if that was the end, I think it would’ve been lame.  As such, Willingham finds a good way to keep Danny’s status quo.  Moreover, Willingham was able to tie it into Danny’s family which has been an interesting plot development since the book first began.  Overall, it is good stuff and I hope Danny’s trials take up more space in the book. 

It is the little things that can sometimes elevate a comic, like the second page where you have two different news helicopters reporting different theories for the ones responsible for the volcano.  Or the kid’s reaction to Detective Chimp.  Each of these bits is minor in terms of the overall storyline, but it is typical of Willingham’s writing and really adds to the book. 

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