DCU Comic Book Reviews

SHADOWPACT #24

The Burning Age, Part Two of Three

June 2008

Written by Matthew Sturges

Pencils by Phil Winslade

Inks by Phil Winslade

Cover by Phil Winslade

Synopsis

The Phantom Stranger tells three different versions of Shadowpact (past, present, and future) that now is the time they need to stand up and defeat the Sun King.  The Phantom Stranger even tells Daniel Cassidy that he will have a part to play.  In Peru, various members of Shadowpact chase down an Ifrit carrying a Threshing Box full of souls.  In Los Angeles, Daniel locates the first Blue Devil costume.  In Riverrock Wyoming, the Sun King consumes enough souls and takes the body of Dr. Gotham.  In Gotham City, various members of Shadowpact find Dr. Gotham’s headquarters, but it is empty.  All over, the world is in upheaval, announcing the Sun King’s arrival.  In Wyoming, the combined forces of the three Shadowpacts face the Sun King.  Meanwhile, Jack of Fire tries to get away, but encounters Blue Devil.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Overall, a pretty good issue but also pretty forgettable since it suffers from middle child syndrome.  There is no beginning to the story and no ending, which comes next month, so Sturges main goal is to get the teams in place to battle the Sun King.  Most of the issue kinda meanders around; I get the feeling that Sturges is simply marking time until the battle begins, although I must admit the two-page spread of the beginning of the battle was worth it.  Don’t get me wrong, it was enjoyable, but there is a part of me that knows where Sturges is heading with the ending to this series, so it was just a matter of getting there.  The fact that the there is back to Riverrock, the sight of the very first issue of this series and the place where the Sun King was “born”, is a cool way to bring the series full circle. 

I also liked the two page description of the past and future members of Shadowpact.  My favorite had to be the Buddhist Dragon (At one with kicking your butt).  Would’ve worked better with “ass” but I laughed out loud anyway.

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