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The shadow #1 Alex Ross Cover
Garth Ennis is the fan-favorite writer of such books as Preacher, The Boys, and The Punisher. Now, he takes goal at pulp legend, The shadow from Dynamite Entertainment. Westfield’s Roger Ash contacted Ennis to learn a lot more about his plans for the book.
Westfield: What appeals to you about The Shadow?
Garth Ennis: terrific character with a terrific look – the hat, the scarf, the coat, the twin 45s. He has a strong sense of the dramatic, even the theatrical, and he typically engineers complex and tortuous ends for his foes. big tactical thinker, very dangerous. shows mercy when appropriate. Considers himself an agent of fate – sees the bigger picture, knows how to step the pieces around the board. And, of course, the power to cloud men’s minds – which comes in helpful when he’s taking on odds of twenty to one.
Westfield: What can readers look forward to in the book?
Ennis: six issues of action and intrigue in one of the most romantic and appealing eras of human existence – the 1930s. The new York waterfront, the pan Am China Clipper, the amazing Orient in the shape of the Shanghai underworld. Fiendish villains, sinister Germans, lots of derring-do, a stunning heroine and – of course – the shadow himself.
The shadow #1 Howard Chaykin cover
Westfield: will you be bringing back any of The Shadow’s classic supporting cast?
Ennis: Margo Lane was the only one that appealed – a brave and resourceful young woman who soon finds herself out of her depth. As the shadow tells her, this time it’s not just colourful villains and dens of intrigue – this time the stakes are much, much higher.
Westfield: What can you say about artist Aaron Campbell’s contribution to the book?
Ennis: thrilled to be working with Aaron. wonderful attention to detail, terrific storyteller, very professional.
The shadow #1 John Cassaday cover
Aaron Campbell is the artist of such books as Dynamite Entertainment’s green Hornet: Year One and Sherlock Holmes. now he teams up with writer Garth Ennis to tell new stories of The Shadow. He recently talked with Westfield’s Roger Ash about his work on the book.
Westfield: What attracted you to the project?
Aaron Campbell: What wouldn’t attract me to this project? It’s the Shadow, it’s Garth Ennis! The shadow is an amazing character in an amazing time. I indicate what’s not to like? It’s new York City and other exotic locals in the 30s, WWII is getting ready to start. You have the old school mystique of eastern mysticism wrapped up with a badass gunslinger. Plus, The shadow is one of those characters that everyone is aware of but very few know much about so there’s this chance for readers to explore something completely new.
Westfield: how much design work are you doing on the series?
Campbell: Well, I spent the first couple weeks working closely with Nick [Barrucci] on the look of the character and for the most part it’s going to be the shadow that we are all familiar with. Black cape with the red lining, big floppy fedora, trench coat and red fluttering scarf, dual m1911 pistols. looking back through all the existing material you’ll find though that there’s never been one consistent way of depicting him. His costume has always had little differences here and there and the individual styles vary dramatically. For my part I’ll be sticking to what I know and the style I’ve been developing, which is to say heavy on the shadows, a certain adherence to reality, and an nearly fanatic devotion to place and time.
The shadow #1 Jae Lee cover
Westfield: have you took pleasure in your collaboration with Garth Ennis?
Campbell: It’s still pretty early on in the project for me to comment too much about this but I think I can safety say that it’s going to be awesome.
Westfield: any closing comments?
Campbell: just that from what I’ve seen of Garth’s story so far The shadow is in very good hands.
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