The Shade #11 – Review

By: James Robinson (story), Frazer Irving (art)

The Story: Now where is Dr. Who when London needs him?

The Review: As we get near to the end of this series, it’s worth reflecting back on the reasons why Shade embarked on this journey in the first place.  At the time, he seemed like a man who wanted for nothing: an endless supply of wealth, a penthouse in his favorite city, a girlfriend he loved, even some begrudging respect in the superhero community.  Yet something made him feel unsettled enough to leave.  The quest for his blood just gave him the excuse to do it.

So what was he really looking for?  If you thought his story is about the unbreakable bonds of family, the last panel of this issue makes it pretty clear that such bonds are anything but.  Considering the enormous amount of deference Shade has given to his descendants in the past, his actions seem a bit shocking, but no more than a bit.  Robinson throws the twist at us at the very last second with no build-up, and Shade seems no more blasé about it than usual.

We get the same problem again during the issue’s climax.  On its face, Shade’s strategy to overcome the might of the Egyptian celestials cleverly relies on plot threads from previous arcs, but we never actually see/saw a hint of him doing the actual groundwork.  Perhaps even worse, we don’t get to see the direct effects of his work on his powers; we just have to assume it made a difference.  I’m also unimpressed with Robinson using the excuse that the celestials are too “unfocused” to suppress Shade as they did last issue; sounds like a narrative CYA move to me.

Frankly, the celestials seem like an interesting idea that took on a life of its own and not exactly in tune with the themes of Shade’s story either.  I suppose you can say their cosmic amorality stands as a kind of warning to Shade, of the kind of being he might himself become someday if his powers continue to grow and if he reverts back to the flippant man he used to be.

But right now, that future doesn’t seem likely.  He not only seems disgusted by the celestials’ childish violence (at his worst, the Shade doesn’t appreciate the excess or unnecessary), he’s downright appalled by them.  And this gets to the heart of what this whole journey really has been about: simply, to discover what kind of heroism or villainy lives on in this immortal figure, and in the process, reconnect with his humanity.

We know Shade gave up such earthly feelings of nobility and vengeance because he felt above all that.  Looking at the heroes who come out to save London in its hour of need, he says, “[T]he man I was at one time would have felt scorn for these Mystery Men…I would have laughed at their meager triumphs and valiant failures.”  And then he approaches something close to a break in composure: “The man I was would have—I’d have—instead I’m not sure exactly what I feel.”  We see his dawning realization that even if he wants to, he can’t make himself feel as he once did, indicating he’s changed a lot more than he ever thought.

Irving does a great job conveying the enormous difference in power between Shade and his opponents by sheer scale.  When you see his shadowy wisps curling about these massive, glowing beings, you immediately get the sense of how insubstantial and tenuous Shade is compared to them, and what an uphill battle it will be for him to even strive to move them.  And I admit I am kind of fond of Irving’s literal approach to talking heads.

Conclusion: Somewhat slow and dense for what should be the climax of a pretty fantastic story.

Grade: B-

– Minhquan Nguyen

Some Musings: – CYA, for those of you who haven’t yet been introduced to this wonderful term, is an abbreviation for “Cover Your Ass,” a piece of advice whose soundness is obvious.

– I enjoyed the sight of British superheroes coming out to do their part in the battle, though not quite as many as Paul Cornell established in Knight and Squire.  I’d like to know more about Beaumont, London’s “indestructible man,” if the opportunity arises.