Graphic Novel Review - THE SHADOW THREAT by Claudia Gray (Eric Zawadzki Illustrator)

(Title: The Shadow Threat (House of El #1) / Author: Claudia Gray / Illustrator: Eric Zawadzki / Publisher: DC Comics / Publication Date: January 5, 2021 / Pages: 208)

Blurb

Zahn is one of Krypton's elites: wealthy, privileged, a future leader.  Sera is one of Krypton's soldiers: strong, dedicated, fearless.  Their rule - bound society has ordained that their paths should never cross.

But groundquakes are shaking the planet's surface.  Rebellious uprisings are shaking the populace.  Krypton's top scientists - Jor-El and Lara - conduct a secret experiment that is meant to reform their planet from the cellular level up.  Zahn and Sera must join forces to investigate the hidden dangers truly threatening Krypton.  In the process, they form a bond that will endure past the end of the world.

Review

THE SHADOW THREAT is the first volume in a planned trilogy of YA graphic novels from DC Comics called House of El, penned by highly-acclaimed author Claudia Gray and illustrated by Eric Zawadzki.  The story begins before the destruction of Krypton but already there are tremors and groundquakes being felt across the planet.  A select group of citizens are demanding answers as to the causes of the instability, feeling as if the tribunes at the head of the government may be covering something up.

Suspicions grow even more when the leaders of Krypton order other planets in the system to be terraformed immediately, most so hurriedly that they trigger violent eruptions and the spawning of creatures beyond imagination.  Throughout it all the tribunes continue to tell the populace that absolutely nothing is wrong and that Krypton is too perfect a society to worry about any potential disasters occurring.

(Illustrations by Eric Zawadzki)

I haven't read many graphic novels in recent years but THE SHADOW THREAT was one of the best and had me fixated the entire time.  The story totally captivated me and it effectively encapsulated the struggle between the upper caste and the general population and soldiers.  It shows how corruption can eat away at the system from the inside and how that same corruption can lead to the suppression of information that is vital to a free functioning society.  

Yet there was also an undercurrent of hope as the few who choose to resist are determined to uncover what they believe the government is hiding from them.  There was also a nice forbidden romance aspect that personalized the characters and elevated them from mere cookie cutter status to something much deeper.  Another pretty cool moment is when General Zod makes a brief appearance.  Let's just say he is portrayed quite differently from the accused criminal who is banished from Krypton years later.  It was interesting to get a little more backstory on this somewhat enigmatic character.  

(Illustrations by Eric Zawadzki)

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the stunning artwork in this graphic novel by the extremely talented Eric Zawadzki.  He captures the mood and tension in the story brilliantly with amazing deftness and it really made the story so much more enriching as a result.  Kudos for his ability to perfectly depict the plot visually and to render it so vividly with his magnificent illustrations.  

In the end I was totally sucked into THE SHADOW THREAT and found myself devouring it pretty quickly.  This was a fantastic opening volume in the House of El graphic novel trilogy that bodes well for the entries to come.  I can't wait to check out the next two to see how this incredible story plays out.  I mean, I kind of know how it plays out based on the history, but it is fascinating to get a better perspective on exactly what could have taken place before the tragedy of what eventually befell the doomed planet of Krypton.  I simply loved the ride and this has gotten me back on reading graphic novels again, it was that good!

(Rating: 9/10)

    

Author Bio:

Claudia Gray is the New York Times bestselling author of many science fiction and paranormal fantasy books for young adults, including the Defy the Stars series, the Firebird series, the Evernight series the Spellcaster series, and Fateful.  She's also had the chance to work in a galaxy far, far away as the author of the Star Wars novels Lost Stars, Bloodline, and Leia, Princess of Alderaan.  Born a fangirl, she loves obsessing over geeky movies and TV shows, as well as reading and occasionally writing fan fiction; however, she periodically leaves the house to go kayaking, do a little hiking, or travel the world.  She will take your Jane Austen trivia challenge any day, anytime.  Currently she lives in New Orleans.

Illustrator Bio:

Eric Zawadzki grew up in Vancouver, but he's recently relocated to Calgary.  He's most well-known critically acclaimed The Dregs and Eternal.   His most recent work in comics is Heart Attack, for Image /Skybound Comics, which he co-created and illustrated.