REVIEW: 'Shadowman' #3 by Cullen Bunn, Jon Davis-Hunt, and Jordie Bellaire

 Shadowman faces his most fierce opponent yet as he seeks answers and tries to keep the Deadside at bay. Don't miss this fantastic supernatural series. 

SHADOWMAN #3

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Artist: Jon Davis-Hunt, Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Publisher: Valiant Comics

Release Date: June 23, 2021

Cover Price: $3.99

Masters of terror Cullen Bunn and Jon Davis-Hunt continue terrifying tour by bringing the supernatural defender to Barcelona.

What is your darkest secret worth? Shadowman must face demons from his past and demons of the present as he encounters the sinister Undertaker. Will Jack be dragged into a Hell of his making?

Score: ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

Part of what's made Valiant's latest run of 'Shadowman' apart from the talented creative team is its episodic nature. It feels like a brand new adventure every month and a new monster to fight. And no monster has been tougher so far than the Pallbearer. It feels like Cullen Bunn and Jon Davis-Hunt keep ramping up the action with every new issue. The Deadside continues to find more ways to enter our world and Shadowman can feel it. But how long can he keep the demons away?

The story alternates between Barcelona in the present and Port-Au-Prince in the past. He looked to oracle Mama Cecile for answers in Haiti only to find her murdered. Whatever killed her Shadowman felt was staking him too. An evil force out to get people connected to the Loa. Could he be next? That question was quickly answered in Spain. Enter the Pallbearer. 

Davis-Hunt's designs and lines are super-clean and crisp. Even as gnarly and deadly as the sight of floating demons that swarm like jellyfish can be, Davis-Hunt's framing and choreography are easy to follow and never muddled. He wants us to see the details right down to every jagged fang of the demons. His versatility shows again when even the conversational panels between Shadowman and Baron Samedi are paced so well and expressive. Yes, he makes even a talking skeleton expressive. But then, of course, the fighting scenes are explosive and splashy. From the Pallbearer, who looks like wrestling's Undertaker, to the appearance of the Shadow Loa itself, there isn't a false move in the art at all. Clayton Cowles' lettering is vital throughout from varying speech balloons to the many sound effects needed. It's all hands on deck when Shadowman is involved. 

'Shadowman' continues to be a fantastic action-horror comic because of its A-list creative talent. Shadowman is on the case when the Deadside tries to merge into our world. Mystery and questions still remain in this entertaining supernatural thriller. If you like John Constantine you'll love Shadowman.