Shadow Walk HC
Publisher: Legendary Comics
Release Date: December 17, 2013
Price: $24.99
Creators: Max Brooks, Mark Waid, Shane Davis
Format: 128 pgs., Full-Color, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0-7851-5397-9
ICv2 Ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
 
The Valley of the Shadow of Death is an actual place in Iraq and over the centuries many have had the misfortune to find it but only one has ever left it alive; John Raines.  Recently discovered by satellite it appears to be a source of a new form of energy that the world desperately needs as total war is about to break out across the Middle East.  Raines serves as a guide for a group put together to claim it which includes soldier Robert Judge, Priest Adam Tucker and scientist Bela Goranl.
 
Based on a concept by Legendary Comics founder Thomas Tull and developed by Max Brooks of World War Z fame, like all of the comics from Legendary so far Shadow Walk reads and looks like a Hollywood summer blockbuster.  Sort of Hellboy by way of Predator, and while full of painfully predictable characters and situations, writer Mark Waid does a solid job of making them seem at least semi-plausible.
 
There's plenty of monsters and action and the art by Shane Davis is nice enough, but unfortunately Shadow Walk sputters out after a strong start.  Its major problem though is someone apparently decided the premise wasn't sky high enough and the elite commandos who accompany the main characters look like they escaped from a 90's Wildstorm comic.   In particular "Sauvage," who sports a mohawk, is missing the lower half of his face and likes to leap in the air ninja style while flinging what appear to be batarangs.
 
--Steve Bennett: Writer and retail services consultant.