What We Do in the Shadow War
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Viktor Bogdanovic
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: March 29, 2022
I have been looking forward to the Shadow War as my Spring Event since Dc announced it. The fact that it's Joshua Williamson telling the whole story is a huge plus, even if some of the things leading up to it haven't all been stellar. Current crossovers prove the "too many cooks" adage accurate, so I like to have one writer telling the whole story. So, how is this Alpha issue, and does it have me more excited for the Shadow War? Let's find out...
Shadow War Alpha #1 begins by getting everyone to speed on the big plot points leading into the crossover. Mainly, we see Ra's al Ghul isn't feeling well, the Lazarus pits are cursed, and Talia and Damian are getting along in an al Ghul sort of way. We then check in with Batman, doing Batman things in Gotham before finding out that Ra's is turning himself in. That's pretty damn big, and while it feels a bit out of nowhere, he tells Talia that he has a plan to help their family, especially Damian, in the long run.
It's undeniable that the Shadow War has a lot to do with family. However, while I like seeing the progression of a softer side of Damian carrying over from the Robin run, the stuff with Batman and Damian feels a bit too forced for me. I guess Williamson needs Damian to pick a side initially, so Batman comes off as cold
, to begin with, but then devolves into a colossal asshole before too long.
That all happens during and because of the events surrounding Ra's addressing the world as he turns himself over to the authorities. I won't spoil that part here, but I'll tell you it instantly makes the story more significant and exciting. However, this is where Batman tells Damian that he could have saved Alfred. This scene plays off weird. I don't think Batman would ever say that, and there may have been a big "but" or "if" coming where Batman takes the blame for it all, but when Damian flips out, Batman starts to explain, then goes silent. Again, it seemed there only so Damian would pick a clear side for now.
It's tough to talk about the rest of the issue and remain spoiler-free, but what happens in this issue certainly sets up the "war" part of the title between Deathstroke, Talia, and their armies. It does all look like a setup, and the fun of it is guessing who would do it because the list is so damn long.
So, am I more excited about the Shadow War after reading this Alpha issue? Actually, I am at about the same level of hype as I was going in. I liked this issue and many of the things Williamson set up, but there wasn't anything that particularly floored me. There were a couple of instances where the characters felt a little off, but the art was excellent throughout, and everything felt big like the start of an event should.
Bits and Pieces:
Shadow War Alpha #1 kicks off the Shadow War crossover event with some big moments that will shock a few readers. While some of the characterizations felt off, the art was great, and Joshua Williamson makes everything feel significant. Even if you aren't reading all the books involved, this one is easy to recommend to most DC Comics fans.
8.0/10
I am a bit disappointed by this and I say that as someone who did not care too much about it in the first place. I'm interested in the Ra's plot, though I already have my suspicions that it's all a ruse by Ra's but the scenes with Batman and Damian annoyed the hell out of me. I'm tired of the way writers keep making Batman as shitty as possible. It's getting old already. If this is the best Williamson has to offer in an event, my expectations for Dark Crisis have been diminished a bit.
ReplyDeleteMerlyn
I agree the Batman is shotty take is getting old, but I think it's Williamson forcing it so Damian picks the other side for this story. He makes sure Batman is nice earlier, not realizing it's worse then when he is mean to his own son. I'm guessing that the whole Alfred thing will be resolved in this and the explanation is Alfred's death hit Batman harder than we can imagine.
DeleteQuestion is: Do you think this will be much better than Batman: Fear State?
ReplyDeleteI really hope so!
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DeleteI bought this Shadow War: Alpha digitally along with Jock's One Dark Knight #2 this week - I liked it. I haven't got any of Tynion's run on Batman but I bought a few of Snyder and Capullo's volumes (Court of Owls, two Zero Year volumes), Tom King / Tony S. Daniel / Lee Weeks' Batman vol 8 Cold Days( I like the part of that volume with Nightwing and KGB), and vol 2 of Batman: Eternal. Also have various Nightwing, Red Hood books and first two issues of Becky Cloonan's Batgirls.
DeleteOn One Dark Knight, I loved the detail, like the map of Gotham, that Jock puts into his story in the first issue - it's like so much storytelling through art alone. Havn't got around to reading #2.
I'm from UK, hi.