Shadow, Midnight in Moscow #4, September 2014
Continuing our ongoing series celebrating multiple anniversaries for the classic pulp character, The Shadow.
Howard Chaykin will tell you — often, and with emphasis — that he is not a guy rooted in the classic pulps.
That said, there is something consistently special about his artistic interpretation of the Shadow.
Maybe it’s his actual distance from the character that makes it so terrific. It’s strictly a professional relationship, without fannish admiration.
Whatever the reason, Howard’s Shadow always looks like the character should look like in my mind’s eye.
On this bold and striking cover, the buildings and effects were added digitally of course, and atypically, I’m thrilled they were. I love the character composed powerfully on his own in the original art.
As noted, striking and bold. Lots of black ink and just enough lighting. Guns out, cape flowing.
Just as it should be.
