Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary blog to the ODPH podcast. On this edition….The Year Of Valiant is officially kicked off with Shadowman #5 by CULLEN BUNN, PEDRO ANDREO, JORDIE BELLAIRE & CLAYTON COWLES for Valiant Entertainment. The latest run of adventures from Valiant’s supernatural hero, Jack Boniface, has been an excellent read with the last installment giving readers chills to what horror awaits our hero & the rest of the Valiant Universe. If you haven’t checked out that run (Issues 1-4 written by Bunn & art by Jon Davis-Hunt), make a point to dive in. However, issue #5 is a great jump-on point for new readers as well. How does the next phase of the adventures of Shadowman kick off? Let’s check this issue out, shall we?

SHADOWMAN #5 On sale JANUARY 19th | 32 pages, full color | $3.99 US | T+
Written by CULLEN BUNN
**Art by** PEDRO ANDREO
**Colors by** JORDIE BELLAIRE
**Letters by** CLAYTON COWLES
**Cover A by** JON DAVIS-HUNT
**Cover B by** JONATHAN MARKS BARRAVECCHIA
**Pre-order Cover by** ADAM POLLINA
Credit: Valiant Entertainment

*** POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING ***

First and foremost, Valiant kicks off this issue with a quick recap page explaining Boniface to readers. It’s a subtle move but one I think is very important to welcome new readers into stories. I really enjoy the set-up for the page’s look (no Baron Samedi is a slight bummer, but very cool artwork makes up for it).

The issue kicks off in New England with a child practicing some dark magic in attempts to resurrect his dead mother. What he gets is a lot more than what he bargained for. Meanwhile, in New Orleans, readers get a glimpse of a moment of normalcy for our hero. playing sax and dealing with an old friend, Alyssa. During this exchange, Jack breaks down some lingering thoughts that have carried over from the previous arc. Things are changing faster than he can control & you can hear the doubt in his voice. Even with some possibilities for help, Jack feels like this is something to handle alone.

He gets his wish as he leaves to handle a big threat. Once it’s settled, Jack focuses his attention to unveiling a possible plan to solve this issue once & for all. At the same time, there are others watching these moves & have plans to thwart Boniface’s plans for their own games. Readers are given a solid cliffhanger when an old threat makes a bold proclamation.

Few people have mastered the level of horror like Bunn has. The opening sequence is very bone-chilling and gives the rest of the issue a strong start. Bunn also creates a fun sequence where Jack is being “normal” in New Orleans. We haven’t seen too much of this in recent issues & this is a fun compliment to the serious story being weaved. There are great building moments throughout this issue for the war that is coming within these pages.

Andreo makes a big splash with the art for this issue. The panels deliver on strong action scenes (see the previous panel in this review) that give a big impact for Boniface’s return. It’s balanced out very well with the quieter moments with the young child. No matter what character Andreo is thrown here, he really brings something special out of each page he does. For new readers, this duo makes a dynamic impression. Longtime Valiant/Shadowman fans are in for a treat here as well.

“The DeadSide War” kicks off with a strong issue & really sets the tone for the Year Of Valiant. Perfect blend of horror & action. Very excited for where this story is gonna lead. Make sure you get this issue at the LCS’s this week because fans will be buzzing about what kicks off here for weeks to come.

Hit me up on Twitter & let me know what you thought of Shadowman #5. As always, thanks for reading!

SHADOWMAN #5 (VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT 2022)

Ken M