REVIEW: 'Book of Shadows' #1 by Cullen Bunn, Vicente Cifuentes, and Dave Filardi

 

BOOK OF SHADOWS #1

Written by CULLEN BUNN

Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES

Colors by DAVE FILARDI

Letters by DAVE SHARPE

Cover A by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

Cover B by ADAM GORHAM

Cover C by TRAVIS ESCARFULLERY

Pre-order Cover by KELLEY JOMES

Shadowman. Eternal Warrior. Punk Mambo. Doctor Mirage. The supernatural protectors of the Valiant Universe unite for the very first time to stand against a terrifying ancient threat: Exarch Fane. No one is safe as the fearsome foe has his cold hands on the Book of Shadows.

Master of horror Cullen Bunn and bone-chilling artist Vicente Cifuentes present BOOK OF SHADOWS, a supernatural event that forms a brand-new team in the Valiant Universe… but will they be enough to stop Fane’s wrath?

On sale July 27th | 32 pages, full color | $3.99 US | T+

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: After a thrilling first arc of 'Shadowman,' Cullen Bunn is ushering in a team-up of epic proportions from all corners of the Valiant supernatural universe. Consider it the Bunn-verse, if you will, as Shadowman joins forces with the Eternal Warrior, Punk Mambo, Doctor Mirage, and the embodiment of the Deadside -- Persephone, to take on a raging force of evil unleashed by Exarch Fane himself. 

This first issue is wall-to-wall action with a cleverly intertwined plot that's revealed in-between confrontations. The team's distrust of Persephone is apparent as she tries to do her best to show she belongs among them. She's Shadowman's responsibility and so far, she's shown to be a powerful ally. The personalities mix well and the constant threats enable them to show what each can do. 

Vicente Cifuentes designs some beautifully horrific monsters and some dramatic magical moments that are enlivened by Dave Filardi's colors. The composition of these panels is so well spaced that the team never feels stuffed together but rather, is given the real estate to stand apart. The fighting is also well choreographed and impactful. Seeing Eternal Warrior go head-to-head against Fane is especially fierce and demonstrates the magical power Fane wields. 

'Book of Shadows' lives up to the hype Valiant promised and who better to bring this supernatural A-team to life than Cullen Bunn. It's an action-packed adventure featuring some of the best characters Valiant has to offer.  New and old fans alike, will love this supernatural team-up.