DC Comic Book: The Shadow #8

It’s important to note that superhero comic books owe their very existence to the early pulp magazine characters such as Doc Savage, The Spider and The Shadow.

DC Comics had attempted to cement The Shadow into his own series on a number of occasions but unfortunately none of them stuck around for long.

In 1987 The Shadow was given his own series once again.   Beginning is issue #8 the title was helmed by writer Andrew Helfer and new artist Kyle Baker.

If you’ve never had the opportunity to see Kyle Baker’s artwork I encourage you to do so.  It is truly unique.

For such an offbeat title like The Shadow and being that the series stars a former Pulp hero his style works perfectly.

Baker breaks down pages in pretty much the standard array of panels-nothing outrageous or groundbreaking.

However it is his art that makes the panels pop. His unique talent for unusual panel layouts, character distinctiveness, portraying emotion and ability to add details is second to none.

While his line work is simple and his shadows are selective, it is his variety of character interactive poses that really attract the reader’s eye.

There are no wasted lines or unnecessary details.  The art is crisp, clean and easy to follow as the story progresses.

Baker’s art graced the pages of comic books for a relatively short period of time.  He went on to other projects.  More than a cartoonist, Kyle is an illustration and storyteller with a style all his own.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV) “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”