Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
Writer: Jody Houser and Rafer Roberts
Artist: Robert Gill
Colourist: Michael Spicer
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

4001AD Shadowman #1 is a dark, dystopian fable about the symbiotic relationship between Sanctuary, the last remnant of a shadow dimension called The Deadside which invaded Earth centuries ago, and Gethsemane, a human city that relies on Sanctuary for the power it needs to survive.

All Sanctuary asks in return is the sacrifice of three orphans every season.  In 4001AD Shadowman #1 we get double-dealing politicians, kindly monsters and Kaia, a young woman destined to be a sacrifice who is meant to steal Sanctuary’s power source but whose attack of conscience could lead to an even bigger disaster. As  familiar and as comfortable as a favourite cardigan, this mix of mysticism, fairy tales and sci-fi, gives us nothing that is new but Jody Houser and Rafer Roberts set the scene succinctly and with enthusiasm.

The one thing we don’t get is Shadowman himself but if the last panel is anything to go by he won’t be long in making an appearance and that could just be the injection of adrenalin that 4001 AD Shadowman needs to lift it above the common herd.

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker