It took Shadowman half of a year to get to the point where I could really follow an issue. Sad that I am writing a review that talks about how great a writing is now that it's essentially not a difficult piece of garbage to follow. The change is focus was desperately needed. And while the story doesn't completely abandon all that came before it, I can certainly feel that Delano has soundly shut the door on the old garbage. The art is much cleaner, too. Not certain if the intent was to model the old style for a while and gradually shift over, but it was welcome, certainly. And the new look on voodoo was great, too. I loved the set for Nettie - she's changing her place, and where she sits with the old Shadowman. The change is welcome.
Bringing back BATROC!
It really says something when I am reading a comic, and longing to have Batroc as a lead in a comic vs the Red Skull, right? He just felt so mishandled in the hands of Kirby. And that is pretty harsh, isn't it? Strange that I just started reading all of the Dr. Tomorrow stuff - and made some serious comparisons to the greatness of Kirby - and in his readings, I tend to not be too polite. The comic is better here, actually. I could see the referents inside of the readings. Kirby was creating a sense. And maybe he did a much better job painting the scenes when he reflected what was actually around him. When he saw the simpler stuff, in other words. Combine that with the fact that the story uses much simpler villains - and they are two of my personal favorites - the Swordsman and Living Laser. Then, make the story a much easier one to follow, too. Perhaps when Captain America exists in an easier place, he's easier to follow.