Publisher: Dynamite Comics
Writer: David Avallone
Artist: Dave Acosta
Editor: Joseph Rybandt
Release Date: 20 April 2016
Price: $3.99

The Twilight Zone: The Shadow #1 is the perfect example, if any were needed, of how The Shadow continues to inspire the legion of black-garbed vigilantes who had emerged in his wake since his debut as a 1930’s radio show through pulp novels, comic books and one big screen outing. In fact, with his most recognisable descendent currently taking a critical panning following his on-screen bout of fisticuffs with his primary coloured stablemate, it’s surprising The Shadow hasn’t been snapped up by some enterprising producer for another silver screen re-boot.

Rooted firmly in the gothic-noir sensibilities of the 1930’s The Twilight Zone: The Shadow #1 shows why The Shadow effortlessly dominates any medium he appears in as it taps into that decade’s most infamous year, 1939 and pits the slouch hat wearing avenger against the world’s favourite villains, the Nazi’s.

Nothing chills the spine quite like a crowd shouting ‘Seig heil’ and nothing undermines that sinister chant quite like a maniacal ‘Hahahahahahahahaha!’ from the shadows. Hot lead and swift retribution quickly follow, but, this being The twilight Zone, nothing is quite as it seems as we veer off into a story that delves into the mystery of who The Shadow really is.

In The Twilight Zone: The Shadow #1 Dave Acosta’s art is as stylish as a slouch hat and David Avallone’s script is as crisp as the retort from a pearl handled revolver. Read, enjoy and if you’re tempted to commit some evil act along the way, just remember, not only will you end up on Santa’s naughty list, but The Shadow knows!

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker