Shadowpact, Volume 4: The Burning Age

Shadowpact, #Volume 4

by Matthew Sturges (Writer), Various (Illustrator)

When the mystical realms spews forth a threat to Earth too huge for any one hero to face, Shadowpact, the DCU masters of the macabre, step up to shut the supernatural villainy down!
Collecting the final issues of this acclaimed series, this volume features not one, but three incarnations of Shadowpact as heroes of the past and future unite with today's mages to keep the spectacular menace of the Sun King at bay. But can the team keep from going out in a blaze of glory or is this the last hurrah of the numinous squad?
Matthew Sturges is the co-writer (with Bill Willingham) of Jack of Fables, House of Mystery, both from Vertigo, as well as JLA: Salvationist Run. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and their two daughters.

Collecting: Shadowpact 20-25

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Fiction, Comic Book

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2009

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series was a fun read.

[Timothy Pitkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really cool stuff like I liked that they allowed some characters to leave like Nightmaster but the final battle against the Sun King was really cool and seeing different Shadowpact groups throughout time was really cool. Their were some very interesting designs and I would have loved if they explored them more and their backgrounds.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt a bit rushed to wrap up the series, but overall a good story with good characters and interesting, and different type stories than regular superhero stuff. Wish this book would have lasted longer.

[Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this team. I wish we could have gotten more from them. At least I’ll be able to reread the books later.

[Ribrarian Not · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro de historietas con ISBN propio. Tomo 4/4.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It all comes down to this. The Sun King is coming, half the team is trapped in the Nightshade Dimension, and it all rides on the Shadowpact.

The first three issues are fairly inconsequential, but this is easily made up for by the titular Burning Age storyline that brings everything together to conclude the series and all the plot threads going on so far. It's a suitable ending, and lets the series finish on it's own terms - it feels like the story has run its course, rather than a slapdash conclusion.

Art duties are mostly Phil Winslade, and whilst I prefer Tom Derenick's Shadowpact work, he is a competant artist to finish the series off. Derenick fills in some issues, as does Kieron Dwyer, and they are all decent and consistent.

Shadowpact has run its course, and this final trade has a fitting finale, dragged down by a three issue arc that doesn't really do much.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always liked second stringer characters, and the Shadowpact fit that niche perfectly. This collection ties up their series run, and has two story arcs. The first arc I found ok, detailing adventures in the Nightshade realm, and Nightmaster's return to it was its champion. It was all resolved a bit too easily, but enjoyed. The second arc details the Sun King coming to conquer Earth, and the Phantom Stranger bringing together Shadowpacts from the past and future; very nice idea, though I found the story a little hurried. Enough good bits throughout to give this a solid 3 stars.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This entire series has been rather average - at least story wise. The art is better and the last few issues have some wonderful panel construction.

But I am left wonder at what could have been....

Good concept, neat characters, but the stories were bland, often timid superhero fare (which is fine if you are wanting some bland, timid superhero fare (I often do).

[Wiktoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 maybe
I really enjoyed this. It had a solid plot with amazing characters. I have to admit, this is the first time I read anything about the Shadowpact - I've never even heard of them, and I definitely fell in love. all these heroes were so interesting and fun to read about. another awesome fast-paced story although I found certain scenes so dialogue-heavy I didn't really want to read on.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

Find this book at Hillingdon Libraries

[Declan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying conclusion to this run of comics. Have also become a big Blue Devil, Detective Chimp and Ragman fan.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a shaky start, the conclusion of Shadowpact means they go out with a bang. A well deserved finale to a good series. I like the fact that you meet Shadowpact through the ages.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice focus on Blue Devil — and to a lesser extent Nightmaster — but this final volume just doesn't have a lot of heart.