The latest story arc continues here, but is it a chore to get through or a delightful trip worth taking?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Dynamite:

Revolutionary Part 2 (of 4) – The Shadow finds himself face to face with George Orwell smack dab in the middle of the Spanish Civil War, but his mystic powers fail to illuminate what significance this literary legend holds for the world. No time to figure that out! The Shadow’s campaign against a murderous gang of gun runners takes him on a tour of Barcelona’s underbelly where he meets the beautiful and dangerous Black Sparrow! But is he really an old friend in disguise? Pause to ponder that and you might miss the deadly dogfight over the Spanish countryside. Pack a parachute, Shadow, because you’re going to need it!

The tone of this series has it within itself to inspire a lot of varying emotions from its devoted followers.  First and foremost this latest arc is hearkening back to some high adventure styles while still maintaining a strong sense of humanity. The end result is a release that’s an exceptionally good piece entertainment.

Scribe Victor Gischler turns in a script that asks more questions than it answers but still manages to illustrate the circumstances of the varying conundrums quite well.  From the characters to the a dynamic air battle, this specific jaunt has a lot packed within that happens rather quickly. But don’t worry it accomplishes all it needs to do in order to give the next part of the arc a proper set-up.

Aaron Campbell handles the art as the book continues to rely on heavy lines to deliver its engrossing style.  His pencils seem perfectly suited to the tone but there are a few moments where faces and places lack detail or even distinction.  But for the most part from the first panel to the last one this is exactly how a comic book is done.

The Shadow #9 gets another excellent addition to an already sterling saga.  It may not do everything it needs to but this release earns a recommendation.

4/5