Review: Shadecraft #2

Shadecraft, on the surface is about a girl living in a world where shadows come to life. More importantly, it demonstrates the coping mechanism of a family in crisis. Family members of people with health problems, such as strokes or comas, can be affected by Burnout. Moreover, Shadecraft demonstrates how each family member develops its own coping strategy to manage the family turmoil.

Story Thus Far:

High School Teenager Zadie is coping with the coma status of her brother from a car accident a year ago. As her family continues to adjust to their status a caregiver, Zadie tries to juggle the turmoil at home and her school life. Unfortunately, there are more bullies than Zadie can handle. That is until Zadie has an encounter involving dark silhouettes or shadow people in the woods. One of the dark silhouettes, claims to be the soul of her brother Ricky.

Dialogue:

Considering the big reveal, the dialogue is amazing. Especially in between Zadie and Ricky which were endearing. At times I forgot that there were dangerous Shadow people around because the dialogue was intriguing.

ART:

The creative art team for Shadecraft consist of Artist, Lee Garbet and Colorist, Simon Bowland. It leans hard into the Pop art movement to give us a sense of who Zadie is and what type of background she is coming from. Readers will be more interested in the depictions of the Shadow people which has more of an impressionistic feeling.

Final Thoughts:

Shadecraft, has a uniquely textured approach to its narrative. Which is why it nails so many aspects: to include the family coping mechanisms; how social media can be an ethical feedback guide; and how today’s parents use technological Negative reinforcement as a parenting tool versus investigating if the child might need therapy. Like that solves anything.

Note to Comic Speculators:

Anyone that calls themselves a speculator and does not have at least issue #1 in their holdings is full of it. Netflix has preemptively picked up Shadecraft, an upcoming comic book from Image Comics created by Lucifer showrunner Joe Henderson and artist Lee Garbett. Shadecraft #2, also has the 1^st appearance of a new character that will play a big part in the story going forward.