Perhaps the most reviled storyline of the year, “Shadowland” finally ended last week. Well...it didn't even really end, as this week brings forth a one-shot titled Shadowland: After the Fall (it has a cover by artist David Finch who signed DC-exclusive contract in January, which means that he's not allowed to draw for Marvel anymore...so how long has this cover been sitting around the Marvel office?). January brings a four-part Matt Murdock mini-series and Black Panther gets a new series, Black Panther: Man Without Fear (he's the new Daredevil until the eventual new Daredevil #1 hits), so things don't even really end here, if that's what you thought (Daredevil impales himself with a sword in Shadowland #5 but Matt Murdock still lives, go figure). The reason this story was so hated by the fans (and, granted, they still bought it...Shadowland #1 sold out and had a reprint) was that it was just plain silly. Early on I found it to be retarded but it was fun in the same way a B-movie is fun. The final few issues, though, were borderline terrible. The premise was decent but the execution never went anywhere. Daredevil is possessed by “The Beast” and fights a group of heroes like Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, and Elektra. The way that “The Beast” dies is as ridiculous as the way the aliens are defeated in War of the Worlds. Iron-Fist uses his “chi” power to destroy “The Beast” from the inside. Okay, that's fine...but why did he wait until #5 to do it? He could've just done it when he first showed up at the fortress which was issues ago. Daredevil #512 is the aftermath and we see Matt Murdock leaving his mask days behind him. The Kingpin takes over The Hand. Black Panter starts fighting crime in Hells Kitchen. Nothing is technically over and it's a tad lame that The Hand is still around. They seem to have worn out their welcome these last two years. Time for a new evil? The art in Shadowland #5 looks pretty rushed, but I love the noir style art in Daredevil #512 by Marco Chechetto. All in all, this ending is mostly a mediocre finale to an event that never struck sparks. Ed Brubaker did such a hell of a job setting this all up that it's a little sad to see writer Andy Diggle just completely dullify it. Next year, when they eventually re-launch Daredevil, I want to see a new writer on the book. & take it back to it's roots; no more mystical mumbo-jumbo. We've had enough. Shadowland #5 * Daredevil #512 **
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