Scooby-Doo meets The X-Files in this paranormal adventure title. The creators rush forward, throwing their characters and readers right into the thick of things. Dodge explores the premise rather than the motives and personalities of the characters here. Still, this isn't a bad mainstream debut for two new, untested comics talents, and the setup itself shows a lot of potential and promise. Should the creators develop and hone their skills quickly, Shadows could shape up into an entertaining series.
An eccentric millionaire (ain't they all) hires a team of four specialists to pursue his interest and research into the paranormal and the unexplained. Their first mission is to camp out in the Mount Hood National Forest, where a number of Bigfoot sightings have been reported as of late. While they stroll through the quiet forest searching for clues, team leader Peter Shelley shares his reasons for participating in the unusual job, and they date back to his first encounter with the mythic ape-like creatures.
Camp's artwork here reminds me of Gary (Kin) Frank's style, with the same kind of crisp, detailed realistic linework. There are also hints of Mike (Exiles) McKone's approach and that of Gary (The Filth) Erskine. I really like his Sasquatch design. It loks natural and convincing. Ultimately, though, the characters come off as stiff. The few scenes that call for action are awkward; Camp doesn't convey motion all that well yet. His lettering is also a bit... well, "ugly" is the only word that comes to mind. The font used here lacks a professional look and polish. Major's colors, though, add depth to the book and elicit a foreboding atmosphere when called for as well.
Only one of the characters here is really explored, and it's not in any real depth. We're never told why these people were chosen for this job, or why they're even interested in doing it. After the first issue, the characters are just there to advance the plot. Characterization is not the strong suit, and it stands out as the untapped potential of the book.
To be fair, the notion of a team hopping about the globe to investigate the unusual is an entertaining one. It's not exactly a new concept either, but this one -- given its use of the Bigfoot legend as part of its debut -- seems to be a little more grounded. Dodge delves into real-world myths and mysteries rather tha invent more over-the-top ones, and I find that approach to be interesting.
