Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Tom Derenick; Wayne Faucher; Pat Brosseau; & Mike Atiyeh
Cover Art by Tom Derenick; Wayne Faucher; & Mike Atiyeh
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for December 2007, the macabre Darkness and Light’s second chapter is entitled “Separating.” At the ethereal Oblivion Bar, the Phantom Stranger regrets his inability to warn the Warlock’s Daughter re: the Sun King’s psychotic Protégé. Enchantress intervenes to push her naïve student back to long hours of homework. In Gotham City, the Protégé delivers another mesmerized female victim to his evil father for horrific consumption.
Trapped within the Nightshade Dimension, the trio of Nightmaster, Ragman, and Nightshade thwart a welcoming committee of ghouls. The Shadowpact sets out to find their missing teammates. Detective Chimp and Enchantress consult on the police’s vile discovery of Protégé’s first victim (from the previous issue). The pair advise the police that a magically-powered serial killer is on the loose.
Warlock’s Daughter joins the Protégé’s collection at his father’s Gotham City manor. Yet another of Protégé’s implied sexual conquests is revealed. The demonic womanizer argues with his demented father. Protégé chillingly schemes to manipulate a seduced Warlock’s Daughter into destroying the Shadowpact for him.
REVIEW:
Though this fantasy-horror storyline’s implied misogynistic elements (most are off-screen) are vile, writer Matthew Sturges does a solid job building his various sub-plots. For instance, the dialogue that Enchantress shares with Warlock’s Daughter and later Detective Chimp is well-scripted. The smarmy creepiness that Sturges instills in the ruthless Protégé also comes off as intended. More significantly, there is an intriguing sense of unpredictability to this issue.
In terms of visuals, the art team does a splendid job supporting Sturges’ sinister plot twists. The sometimes-unsettling Darkness and Light storyline should merit a parental advisory warning, but Shadowpact # 18 is actually a pretty good read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
With a thumbnail cover reveal of Shadowpact # 19, the single-page “DC Nation” column has a Halloween theme. Other covers glimpsed are Aquaman # 57; Death of the New Gods # 1; and Justice League of America # 14.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
