The Shadow: Year One #9

Published by: Dynamite Entertainment
Released on: Apr. 30, 2014

Matt Wagner's excellent take on the hero takes to the streets of Chinatown, where the citizenry hide in their homes and business, afraid to even go outside. One of The Shadow's agents, Margo, heads into the heart of that locale to investigate but soon only encounters Lamont in disguise. They realize something is seriously wrong here and that something bad is going to happen.

[WHO KNOWS WHAT SPOILERS LURK IN THE REMAINDER OF THIS ARTICLE? THE SHADOW KNOWS...and confirms their existence.]

Two tong leaders meet in secret and nervously discuss the direction their gang is taking. Their leader, Zhao Li Po, has taken up the call of war on the Italian gangs, breaking a truce of sorts that's kept them both operating on their own without much bloodshed. Both of these men discuss how Po doesn't seem quite himself these days, even preferring to eat raw meat…

After a meeting with Po and the other leaders in the tong wherein Po openly declares this war, the two men express their outrage once outside and away from Po. And, of course, The Shadow is there to observe it all. He places an “anonymous” call to Det. Cardona, warning of this impending gang war and that innocent people will die. So the cops are able to intercept the Italian gunmen headed into Chinatown, at least briefly postponing the fighting.

The Shadow suspects that his nemesis Dr. Zorn is behind all this, hiding deep within Po's stronghouse. He's able to infiltrate that place and locate the secret location of Zorn who, naturally, has been expecting him. He appeals to The Shadow's past - even using his name of Ying Ko - as well as his penchant for violence. It's just the pesky “justice” thing that's the hangup, apparently. Some of the tong henchman attack then but The Shadow, with his twin .45's, is able to handle them quickly and efficiently. As he walks up to Zorn to finish him off as well the evil doctor activates a trap door that throws The Shadow into a pit of venomous snakes!

Brisk, well-paced and 100% thoroughly consistent with the long-standing character Matt Wagner's story is a great read for both the casual and long-time fan alike. Wilfredo Torres' artwork is up to the task quite capably as well here. This particular series promises to conclude in the next issue, too.