With the proverbial trap sprung, can our heroes recover from their losses and muster up the gumption to win the day?  Should you care?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Dynamite:

Kondo’s trap succeeds beyond his expectations, as a bloody massacre leaves our heroes alone in the wilderness without hope of rescue. Deep in the kingdom of Buffalo Wong the object of everyone’s desire is revealed, and Margo Lane and Pat Finnegan begin to see just how far Lamont Cranston will go in pursuit of his goals. Meanwhile, the Shadow begins to lay plans for a cataclysmic showdown with his foes.

The penultimate issue of this arc is here, and truth be told it’s another solid outing that focuses more on plot progression rather than exposition.  This is by far the tightest release yet from this creative team, as they skillfully move the pieces across their imaginary board, in a way that effectively ignites interest in next month’s conclusion.

Garth Ennis hits the script out of the park, offering a somber and at times exciting jaunt that will please fans.  His work on The Shadow has yielded a solid interpretation of the pulp hero, and this story arc has successfully explored his personality to the point that readers can walk away feeling like they know the character intimately.  I hope the final issue takes its time and ends this little epic in a way that’s both interesting  and satisfying.

Aaron Campbell does an excellent job on the art.  I honestly feel like this issue is a prime example of the talented artist at his best, as he skillfully employs heavy lines to inform some unique situations.  A specific moment comes to mind when The Shadow is dealing with some soldiers, the work done here melds with the script in a way that elevates the narrative quality to the point that it was more than mere panels on a page, it was poetry in motion.

The Shadow #5 is a very good release that continues to build on this creative team’s stellar record.  Recommended.

4/5