A weekend fun reading review…because sometimes a Pastors need a break from heavy reading also.
Cullen Bunn. The Shadow: The Last Illusion. Runnemede, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment, May 25, 2016. 144 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
Have you heard of the pulp 1930s era superhero name the Shadow? He’s one of the oldest superheroes from the pulp age whom the creator of Batman “borrowed” the concept of the Shadow (I am saying this as a fan of Batman). Older generations would hear about the adventures of the Shadow on Radio; that was way before my time. In this modern retelling of the Shadow you see that the character the Shadow fight crime and pursue a mystery with twists and turns. As someone who love the references to the 1930s in comics this satisfied my interests and the story was worthwhile! I am glad Dynamite Entertainment have printed this story about the Shadow on trade paperback collecting all the issues for this story arc and I hope they would have more stories of the Shadow in the future (I think I am almost done with all their recent stories of the Shadows that they published).
The story begins in 1936 in Los Angeles though there’s flashbacks of the Shadow’s memory of training he had with the famous Harry Houdini with tricks and feats. The book is about the Shadow goes after a group called The Society of United Magicians who would kill to learn the secret of the “Last Illusion” concerning how one can actually come back from the dead. They go after Harry Houdini’s wife base upon rumors that her late husband communicated to her and the Shadow protects her though he hypnotize her to find out what she knows and cloud her mind to not remember for the sake of her protection. As a result the league goes after the Shadow while the Shadow is also on the path to bring the league to face justice. This adventure involves facing illusions, traps and secret hidden rooms and doors and things not appearing to be what they are. Along the way the Shadow discovered that there is another society of illusionists that are on a war path with The Society of United Magicians who have an insidious agenda called the disciples of Nitocris. It comes to a dramatic conclusion in the final issue even with the evil forces having the upper hand.
The plot was well done in this work. It was a darker story line than what I’m use to; potential readers need to be aware of that. I appreciate there’s nothing crazy woke which seems to be in comics today.
The Domain for Truth 
Who knows the hearts of men, only the Shadow knows, ( I remember this but not all) I loved the radio days.
Wow you heard this on the radio? That is amazing you know about this character! I totally enjoyed this comic. Hope you are doing well Bonnie?
I am well and hope this for you and Family.
Darkwing Duck seems to be based upon him
According to Wikipedia he is! “Darkwing Duck tells the adventures of the titular superhero, aided by his sidekick and pilot Launchpad McQuack (from DuckTales). In his secret identity of Drake Mallard (a parody of Kent Allard, the alter ego of the Shadow), ” Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkwing_Duck#Premise
Good to see confirmation; it was a hunch
[…] The Shadow: The Last Illusion […]
Hey, Jimmy, I see you and I are on the same page today with comic reviews! I enjoyed this review of the Shadow graphic novel. Good stuff. I can see how the creators of Batman drew upon the Shadow. I was curious if Batman ever teamed up with the Shadow, so I googled it and it happened in 1973 in an issue of Detective Comics and in 2017 in a six-issue limited series. Did you ever read that? I see it’s available at Amazon (link below). You may have reviewed it at one time, but my memory is shot. I hope you’re having a good rest day!
I did review the Batman/Shadow team up the one that you linked! Here was my review: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2017/11/28/review-batman-the-shadow-the-murder-geniuses/
But I didn’t know there was one issue in 1973! I need to see if I can find it! I also need to review another of The Shadow and Batman team up which is the second volume to the one you linked; Did you grow up hearing the Shadow on radio or was that before your time?
Ahh, glad you knew about that team-up and already read and reviewed it.
RE: Detective
I googled it and the Batman-Shadow 1973 team-up is actually Batman Comics, Issue #253 (November 1973). Link below.
Yeah, the Shadow was way before my time.
Enjoy before the left make the Shadow go woke
I can remember (long ago) listening to a late night radio program where I was introduced to the Shadow.
Wow was it not a kids program since it was late night radio program??
You got it right!