Ennis brings the Shadow in–he didn’t show up last issue–and it doesn’t work out. The issue works, for the first half, because it’s the wartime intrigue book. The Japanese villains have their machinations and Cranston and Margo have some stuff going on too. Then Cranston gets into costume and it all goes to pot.

Well, not all to pot. The scenes without the Shadow in them are fine. But the scene with the Shadow–he only has one big one–is pointless. Ennis works towards something, but never gets to it and starts working toward something else. And never gets to it either.

Margo and the American agent disappear after a few good scenes. Ennis just can’t feign the interest in them, which is too bad. There’s another really good Margo scene this issue.

Campbell’s art is probably the best so far.

The Shadow remains a mixed bag.

CREDITS

The Fire of Creation, Part Five; writer, Garth Ennis; artist, Aaron Campbell; colorist, Carlos Lopez; letterer, Rob Steen; editor, Joseph Rybandt; publisher, Dynamite Entertainment.