Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Pat Broderick; Bruce Patterson; Jose Rosen; & Tom Smith
Cover Art by Pat Broderick
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics for May 1994, this opener for a three-issue mini-series is entitled “Shadow-Games.” Set prior to X-Factor # 100, an overpowered Spider-Man is captured by a new superhuman group of ruthless mercenaries dubbed ‘Shadowforce.’
Having witnessed this incident, Flash Thompson is rebuffed by The Daily Bugle to investigate. He then desperately calls any super-team willing to respond. X-Factor (including Havok, Polaris, Wolfsbane, Multiplex, & Wolfsbane) investigate Flash’s report and find some unsettling clues to the mystery. Meanwhile, The Bugle experiences an attempted squeeze play re: national security’s desire to suppress publicizing Spider-Man’s capture.
Escaping confinement, Spider-Man realizes that he’s the latest test subject in a covert research lab seeking to produce the U.S. Government’s own custom-made super-heroes. Despite X-Factor’s additional firepower on his side, Spider-Man finds himself caught in the crossfire of a super-team shoot-out.
REVIEW:
As much as a Spider-Man/X-Factor cross-over sounds forgettable, Issue # 1 is a pleasant surprise. Despite relying on the genre cliché re: a rogue government cell, writer Kurt Busiek still devises an intriguing plot with Spider-Man’s cast (except Mary Jane & Aunt May don’t appear) all on their game. Busiek also scripts excellent support from X-Factor, as they don’t require Spidey’s star power to carry them.
In that sense, this inspired storyline would have been ideal for Spidey’s defunct Marvel Team-Up series. Yet, the best element is that the art squad’s visuals are shockingly good – suffice to say, this project’s initial salvo gets first-class treatment. For Marvel fans, Shadowgames # 1 is a terrific read worth keeping.
Note: A sole parental heads-up is that a full-page third-party ad features imagery of Psylocke in a skimpy bikini top.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a full-page “Bullpen Bulletins” column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
