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Published by: Dynamite Entertainment
Released on: May 7, 2014
Howard Chaykin returns to this series, even handling the artwork for the cover as well as writing/artwork duties.
[SPOILERS]
The story opens with a setting of New York City in 1949 on New Year's Eve and the narrative details what that place - standing in as THE symbol for America - has gone through the past 20 years. Which is the same amount of time that The Shadow has been its protector. The narrative points to what is to come, that any complacency and self-righteousness is about to be undone by the Cold War and such. And crime also never rests, so this issue opens with a long-time enemy of The Shadow, the self-proclaimed “Prince of Terror†Mr. Stark, trying to rob the Federal Reserve Bank.
With the help of his super-strong, super-loyal agent, Jericho Druke, they're able to foil Stark's plot by crushing him under a huge load of gold bricks. They think the threat over but find an interesting item at the crime scene so, later, The Shadow shows them this new wrinkle - miniaturized gold bricks, as big as a stick of gum but apparently with the same density as a full-sized ingot.
Meanwhile, a top U.S. scientist named Thorpe who specializes in molecular physics heads to London with a hottie on his arm, unaware of the trap he's playing right into. Back in the States, Lamont and Jane head out for a celebratory ball, to dance and enjoy at least one night together not fighting crime. However, their reverie is cut short when, at the same party, in walks Benedict Stark, alive and well. He is, though, apparently shorter now than Lamont remembered…
The criminal plot thus guaranteed with Thorpe's blackmail, the evil plot lingers as Lamont and Jane take a quiet hansom cab ride through Central Park. Jane asks him why he's being so quiet and he admits that they do indeed need a vacation together and, with that, Lamont announces to her that The Shadow is now officially retired.
Pulpy and thick, layered with good and bad characters, it's a proper return to form for Chaykin with the character he resurrected 20+ years ago. His artwork style now is a little flashier but still lush and detailed, not really missing a step at all. And by going the “retired hero inevitably pulled back into action†route he's setting this up nicely to re-explore those foundations that make The Shadow so enduring a character.
