Batman/ The Shadow 2017 comic book crossover Review | Steve Orlando DC and Dynamite Comics
Channel: ComicgeddonTV
Date: 2017-06-23

Batman/ The Shadow 2017 comic book crossover Review | Steve Orlando DC and Dynamite Comics
Batman/ The Shadow 2017 Crossover REVIEW DC Comics/ Dynamite Entertainment DC Comics Batman/ The Shadow comic book Review
From the incredible minds of iconic authors Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando comes the resurgence of a classic noir character. The Shadow was a major influence of the Batman himself and now appears in this incredible six issue crossover event. 

While investigating the murder of a Gothamite, Batman identifies his prime suspect as Lamont Cranston... but there are two problems with that. One, Batman is not aware Lamont's alter ego is the master detective known as the Shadow. Two, and more importantly, Cranston seems to have died over half a century ago!

But that's not all either! The Shadow plays a series of mind games with Batman that reach all the way back to Bruce Wayne's original training to become the savior of Gotham. Was the Shadow Batman's teacher all this time? Only, THE SHADOW KNOWS! 
It's not that far fetched, as The Shadow debuted in Detective Story Hour radio show on July 31, 1930 and in print for the first time in The Living Shadow on April 1, 1931. While Batman made his debut appearance in Detective Comics #27 in March 1939. 

The rights to The Shadow are currently licensed by Dynamite Entertainment and has since August 2011. And I have to say, so far all of the Shadow stories I've read from Dynamite have been great. If you want to learn more about the mysterious vigilante detective known as The Shadow keep an eye out for our episode on The Shadow and our Review of The Shadow NOW! Coming soon to Comicgeddon TV: Where All Geek Culture Collides! 

 BATMAN/THE SHADOW #1-6 and stories from BATMAN ANNUAL #1 and DETECTIVE COMICS #253 and #259.

Issues 1 and 2 are currently in comic book shops as well as on Comixology. But if you want to waite for the Trade paper back or hardcover, it'll be in stores November 28, 2017 and will collect BATMAN/THE SHADOW #1-6 and stories from BATMAN ANNUAL #1 and DETECTIVE COMICS #253 and #259.

With that being said let's get into the review on Issues #1 and 2.
Issue #1 opens with Bruce Wayne at the top of the French Alps to seek help from his former teacher Henry Ducard, The World's Greatest Manhunter. Bruce Admits that Ducard's teachings have helped him for years in solving mysteries but that he's finally uncovered a case even he, the world's greatest detective can't solve. The violant murder of a man well loved in gotham. a man who treated the inmates of Arkham with respect and earned their respect in return. A man who's been honored by the city of Gotham for his service. A man who's not wealthy by any means. 33 years old, Type O Negative Blood, Food Service employee at Arkham Asylum, Foster Parent to rescue dogs. Name? Lamont Cranston. 
Out of no where as Batman investigates the murder scene, laughter pierces his solitude from out of the shadows. But how? Batman cased the scene himself. The only ones there were the police. After a fairly quick battle on the rooftop, the indivual involved is revealed to be none other than The Shadow! Through Batman's research and investigation, he discovers the identity of The Shadow as being Lamont Cranston. Not the Lamont Cranston who was murdered, but another Lamont Cranston. This Cranston was born in 1900 and died of cancer in 1963.
 Batman visits known associates of  Cranston. Mr. Vincent whom The Shadow had stopped from committing suicide and held it over his head for 50 years. Clyde Burke a reporter who knew Cranston was the Shadow but had no proof. The grave of Cliff Marsland, a fighter pilot in World War 1 and the taxi driver for Cranston who died the same year as Cranston. Finally, he visits Margo Lane. Margo reveals that Lamont Cranston wasn't the Shadow's only identity but 1 of many. Kent Allard, Ying Ko etc. She reveals she and all of his agents got old, but he didn't. The Shadow's hate kept him young. Obsessed with punishing crime. But she hadn't spoken to him since he told all of his agents to start calling him MASTER. 
I'll refrain from going further into this story, as any more will ruin the experience for you. But I will tell you, this is a story of twists and turns, mystery and deception. It seems to take place in the main DC Universe as well but outside of the Dynamite Comics universe. I've only managed to read through the first 2 issues so far as issue #3 doesn't come out until June 28. But I highly recommend this 6 part story line. Issue #3 should be even more epic as the cover has Batman and the Shadow going up against the clown prince of crime himself... THE JOKER! Can the Shadow protect Batman from the combine onslaught of the Joker and Stag as well as the mystical powers of Shamba-La? Find out in Batman/ Shadow #3! 


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