Most of Valiant's stable of superheroes err within the world of science fiction, but the mystical Shadowman deals with the dark world of the undead. Based on various elements of New Orleans culture, including its permutation of Vodun, the character has made a huge mark in both the Valiant Universe and the real world. The skull-faced speaker for the spirits has been away from publication for a while, but now he's poised to again have an ongoing series of his own.
Here's a look back at the supernatural hero's many feats, which include the mastery of his macabre powers, his exploits in the world of video games, and even getting his own holiday.
Out from the Shadows
The Shadowman title is a long legacy of individuals who defend the world against the forces of darkness. The current Shadowman is Jack Boniface, a youth from New Orleans. Whereas others in the Valiant Universe gain power from their genetics by virtue of being psiots, Jack's powers come from his symbiotic bond with the Shadow Loa spirit. Jack's father Josiah was the previous Shadowman, but he fell in battle years ago against the land of the living's greatest foe, Master Darque. Fleeing Darque's machinations, Jack's mother was forced to leave him in foster care, where he grew up without knowing his paranormal legacy.
As an adult, Jack is eventually hunted down by demons who are part of Darque's Brethren. After they seemingly kill him, the Shadow Loa spirit finally merges with him, turning him into Shadowman. From then on, he works alongside the team known as the Abettors to wage a war against Darque. He also interacts with other Valiant heroes such as Ninjak and the British voodoo practitioner Punk Mambo, who both save him when he briefly falls under the sway of Master Darque.
Shadowman's powers include enhanced physical faculties such as strength and reflexes, as well as regeneration, night vision, and a general sense of fearlessness. He can also freely enter and exit the Deadside, where deceased spirits dwell, as well as animate dead creatures and entities to do his will. The classic Shadowman typically could not operate during the daytime, however, with his powers only working at night.
Shadowman Video Games
In 1994, Valiant Comics was bought out by video game developer Acclaim. The company was restructured and rebooted in an attempt to make the franchises more viable to translate into video games.
Though Turok was more well known for his resulting video games, the Shadow Man games (spelled as two words as opposed to one) were also successful in their own right. Instead of Jack Boniface, players took control of Michael LeRoi, the current Shadow Man from the Acclaim comics who had recently been bonded to the Mask of Shadows. Journeying through the Deadside, Michael must defeat the demonic Legion and his horde of killers, one of whom is actually Jack the Ripper.
A 3D action-adventure game with platforming elements, the game is very similar to the typical Tomb Raider formula of the time. The game -- which released on PC, Dreamcast, Playstation, and Nintendo 64 -- was both a financial and critical success, leading to the Playstation 2 exclusive sequel, Shadow Man: 2econd Coming. There was even a limited release Shadow Man Nintendo 64 console. Though a campaign to see the games re-released on the Nintendo Wii fell through, it will be remastered for current consoles sometime in the future.
Shadowman Day
Strangely enough for a character from an independent comic book, Shadowman can actually boast having his own holiday.
"Shadowman Day" was proclaimed on January 17, 1993, by New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy. The event involved a walking tour of the French Quarter, including visiting the grave of New Orleans voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. There was also a traveling Valiant Comics Art Show, where tourists and fans could meet with Valiant creators such as Bob Layton. Local news outlets also covered the festivities, further validating the momentous occasion.
Sadly, the event has yet to be replicated since, owed mostly to Valiant's financial and publishing tumult in the following years. There is a chance the holiday could eventually come back to the land of the living, much as Shadowman's popularity continues to do in the revitalized Valiant Universe.