Welcome back to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book complementary blog to the ODPH podcast! On this edition, the Year Of Valiant continues on in the pages of Shadowman. SHADOWMAN #7 by CULLEN BUNN, PEDRO ANDREO, JORDIE BELLAIRE and CLAYTON COWLES for Valiant Entertainment has been a must-read since it’s return. The Deadside War is heating up with a lot of familiar faces returning for the event. If you’re a Valiant fan, this is a must-read event. Let’s not waste anymore time and jump into this issue, shall we?

SHADOWMAN #7 - On Sale March 16th
Written by CULLEN BUNN
**Art by** PEDRO ANDREO
**Colors by** JORDIE BELLAIRE
**Letters by** CLAYTON COWLES
**Cover A by** JON DAVIS-HUNT
**Horror Movie Homage Variant Cover by** DAN BRERETON
**Pre-order Cover by** CHRISTIAN WARD
Credit: Valiant Entertainment

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS WARNING ***

The issue picks up with Shadowman’s idea of making peace between the dead and living has failed. Because of his actions, Deadside is now unleashed onto the world. The Deadside now has a physical form. Along with her walking amongst the living, Blights have now crossed over as well. The odds are stacked against him. There is little hope left. However, with a world full of heroes, all is not lost.

Readers get some great cameos from all points of the Valiant Universe. They see how they’re reacting to this event. When we said, this is a must-read event, there was no punchline there. Anyone who’s anyone is involved here. The first wave of defense goes on the offense against the Deadside. Punk Mambo leads the Abettors into a direct battle with the evil incarnate. While this is happening, Shadowman is away reflecting on what’s happened and what will possibly come from this. How this all unfolds is a great read with a final page that will have readers very excited for what’s next.

If you are a new reader here, one thing you should kno is I’m a big fan of Cullen Bunn’s work. The story being crafted here is really pushing our hero to the breaking point. What was thought to have been a workable solution to end this madness has not worked. Jack Boniface has to deal with this and Bunn makes this a prime point of this issue. The hopeless battle between Mambo, the Abettors & Deadside brings that possible bleak future to a very real personal moment thru Jack’s eyes. How this is resolved makes for a great read (as usual).

Andreo’s art……WOW. Since taking over this book, he’s put some fresh energy into the life of Jack Boniface. Andreo’s action sequences really stand out on a page. They really capture the intensity of the moment. Even in Jack’s reflection, readers get the sense of where the mood shifts and how he will be handling this scenario moving forward. Great work with the cameos in this issue as well. At some point, I wouldn’t mind seeing Andreo on a team book for Valiant. He balances out multiple characters on a page with ease.

Overall, the Deadside War takes some fascinating turns in the pages of Shdowman #7. The creative team of Bunn & Andreo deliver on a bleak state of the Valiant Universe while keeping hope that there might be something on the horizon to change everything. Swing over to your LCS and get this issue!

Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you thought of Shadowman #7. As always, thanks for reading.

SHADOWMAN #7 (VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT)

Ken M