Book of Shadows: The Ultimate Valiant Magic

Book of Shadows from Valiant Entertainment is a very special feature. One on hand, the writer Cullen Bunn continues his Shadowman epic. But in addition, he includes the Valiant Universe’s other supernaturals. Not limited to voodoo sorcerers like Punk Mambo, other characters like ghost whisperer Doctor Mirage appear. But does their battle against an ancient evil bring out the best in them?

Background

So time for a quick introduction for the cast. Jack Boniface, Shadowman is the Valiant Universe’s representative for the supernatural. Well him and his power source, Shadow Loa Bosou Koblamin. With Jack is Persephone, a character from the end of the Deadside War. Without spoilers, she’s tied to the Deadside, the mystical realm of the dead. So powerful that counter-Voodoo priestess Punk Mambo remains wary of her. Just think of Punk like John Constantine but with more sass.

But now let’s go into two characters Cullen Bunn hasn’t used before. The first is Dr. Shan Fong Mirage, a medium who really can talk to ghosts. Yeah, Mirage actually wants to help people, especially the dead ones despite getting on TV. It’s why she learning magic from… some different places. Finally there’s the Eternal Warrior, one of four ancient Sumerian siblings who gained different forms of immortality. Gilad Anni-Padda’s brand comes from being tied to the Earth’s life-force. As long as the Earth lives and has need of him, Gilad will live on. Or he can fight his way out of the afterlife. Naturally, he’s had a lot of enemies; one of them is who our heroes face.

Book of Shadows: Supernatural Empathy

Cullen Bunn crafts a keen awareness of how people see horror in Book of Shadows. The opening isn’t scary just because hellish werewolves are attacking people. It’s how it uses a classic first act to build up tension. By working with the artist Vicente Cifuentes and letterer Dave Sharpe, the creatives build anticipation in an otherwise normal town. People are celebrating a fair while an omniscient narrator reads historical catastrophes in juxtaposition. Combine this with a little girl looking nervous about something, the tension explodes.

Through the girl’s shock and awe at the sudden appearance of the monsters, that’s when the story has their attention. While readers want something good to come out of this, they still empathize with the girl’s fear of her saviors. That’s especially the case with Persephone, despite her attempts to put the girl at ease, she’s still terrifying. Summoning grotesque spirits in disorienting colors by Nick Filardi will do that. I should probably mention how this series gives us the crux of the plot amid the girl’s scares. Nothing is wasted in a good first act.

The Shadows Are Cast

And all of that is just for new readers. There’re plenty of things for readers of Bunn’s Shadowman, especially in regards to Persephone. She’s still new to the world and doesn’t understand how scary her power is. Plus Punk Mambo’s remarks remind readers how much of a threat she can be. But those same readers are also on the side of Shadowman trying to ease Persephone into the world. Those two are practically Persephone’s respective shoulder devil and angel. Persephone may want to be her own person, but she can never shake off what she was.

As for the rest of the cast, it takes a few issues but they come into their own. Gilad is definitely necessary per his relationship with the villain Exarch Fane. But aside from that, his experience with the afterlife is what will help flesh out Doctor Mirage’s role. With Shan’s ability to speak with the dead, she could’ve easily been an exposition machine. Instead the second issue puts her into action by working an angle that no one will see coming.

Which is why the third issue puts so much on Gilad and Mirage’s dynamic. These two are used to the dead and finding peace in it. But things have changed with familiar comforts long gone. While Mirage is getting by while learning new things, Gilad’s stuck in his ways. Despite the efficiency in handling, Fane seems prepared for him in ways only Mirage sees.

The MacGuffin As The Villain

Back to Exarch Fane, his debut didn’t have much going for him. I don’t just mean his pectoral spouting dark lord outfit, but his presentation doesn’t leave a strong impression. His movements and actions barely have any weight to them. The only thing that’s actually of note about him is his manner of speech. His unique theatrical voice has energy that bely his lackluster presence. Enough to make me think of Mark Hamil or Charlie Adler voicing him.

That is until readers get a complementary villain at the end of the second issue, the titular MacGuffin itself. Not only does it drive the plot forward, but it’s a character in its/her own right. Aside from empowering Fane, she serves as a good foil in form and function. While Fane’s lack of dynamic expression can make him look dull, the book makes up for it in its shapeshifting. Not only that but the way she speaks makes her feel like a proper puppet master. Enough for Fane to look at her with adoration to please her every whim. But that’s also why being reduced to an object in the last issue feels like a waste. She had potential in the final confrontation with Gilad and Mirage and it just didn’t happen.

Leap In Art

With that in mind, there is a notable change in art by issue 3. After the months-long hiatus, Cifuentes art makes marked improvements. The once stiff looking Fane becomes more expressive thanks to the use of angles and lighting. Most of the settings also become more atmospheric with Fane’s fortress featuring a library that makes heroes feel small in comparison. And the actions flow so much more smoothly. Whatever the reason for the hiatus, it was time well spent for the art direction.

Book of Shadows: Bookmark On Little Victories

Book of Shadows has a decent first act with character dynamics that grow with the plot. My favorite piece of it comes from Persephone who is ripe for the most development. Not to mention she makes a strong first impression for newcomers. But it’s going to take a bit more time because this series ends with her current status maintained.

Along with this, the other characters are best appreciated when following Bunn’s previous Valiant stories. It makes the dynamics between three cast members something to get invested in anyway. The other two meanwhile have just the right amount of motivations and arcs to come full circle with everyone else.

The second act is nothing to sneeze at either. It allows for the rest of the plot elements to come together nicely. Everyone has a specific role to play and they’re executed pretty well.

But then, readers wonder what’s supposed to happen next. The ending is only just fine; it feels like potential plot points like the title “character” are glossed over.

So for good plot and character structure, art, and time invested, this series gets 7.8/10.