Hype Machine - Covers of Shadowland

As revealed at the C2E2 comic convention, Shadowland is coming. This mini-event has been teased by Marvel for a few months now and we finally get some confirmation of what it entails. We know it centres around Daredevil, and his family of characters, but from there details have been like finding old jigsaw pieces in the slots between couch cushions and trying to work out the entire image. Now, however, we have a few more images that might clear up at least who else is involved.

Hit the jump to see just who will join DD in the Shadowland.

Shadowland will be a five issue mini-series written by Andy Diggle and drawn by Billy Tan. It will involve Daredevil relocating The Hand to Hell's Kitchen, and from the last few issues of his main title we know that construction has already begun on the monumental fortress that will be Shadowland.

The mini-event promises to include many street level characters, which should bring in a fair few readers. Billy Tan has produced a magnificent splash cover that details a wide array of characters who will join the cast in some way for the storyline.

Let's take a roll call of the different characters that we can see present and accounted for in this hectic battle snapshot; Daredevil (natch), Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Wolverine, the Punisher, Moon Knight, Ghost Rider, Elektra, Misty Knight, Bullseye, and what looks to be either the White Tiger or Silver Sable (I really can't tell...).

That's one hell of a cast list. If you're not excited by the usual crop of Bendis-Vengers then surely you'll love this motley crew of hangers-on who slip in and out of holding their own ongoing series'. Wolverine and Spidey obviously bring a bit of the big time to Hell's Kitchen but everyone else has that waft of classic 70's exploitation and I think that's a great idea. Bring them all together, maybe consolidate their readership for a few issues, and then see if readers of one character like the other. This is much better, in my eyes, that the usual mega-crossover event we summarily get each summer. I don't generally care when all of the heavy hitters get together but when these psychotic misfits and flamin' skulls are all duking it out my ears prick right up.

Everyone here, except for the glorious Horned One, is pin-cushioned by arrows and blades, but what interests me is that Spider-Man is holding another Daredevil mask. Where did he get it from? Had Iron Fist been wearing it (he has a penchant for that sort of thing, you know)? Why is Bullseye even there? Did he think a greater assembly of heroes was a good time to show his mug in town again? And I'm glad Misty Knight doesn't actually have any weapon protruding from her, she is still pregnant I assume and unless you're Robert Kirkman you really shouldn't puncture a pregnant woman.

There is one massive thing that does need mentioning about this image and that is the lack of one character. He's a favourite of mine and I want to know what he's doing during this throw-down. Where is Carlos LaMuerto, the Black Tarantula? Answer me that and I'll be a happy man.

This is an effective tease for Shadowland because it makes you think, and Tan draws it so well that you could stare at it for hours and still enjoy it. Hell, it took me a few minutes to work out Ghost Rider was there too. I don't know specifics about story for Shadowland but I know I want in, and I hope this image gets a few others to join me too. From the way that Doomwar sold higher than Black Panther, I'm going to assume that Shadowland might bring in a few extra readers as well.

It should be also worth noting that several of these characters shown in the cover are also part of other teams in the Marvel Universe, such as Luke Cage who is going to be leading the Thunderbolts, Wolverine and Spider-Man as part of the Avengers, and Moon Knight is going to be in the Secret Avengers (led by Steve Rogers himself). All in all, Daredevil could be facing the better part of the Marvel Universe with Shadowland.

There is also a John Cassaday cover that shows just a few of these guys. It's relatively plain compared to Tan, but I surprisingly like his take on the Punisher.

Stay tuned here for more news as we shine some light on the Shadowland. Also tell us what you think of these teaser images and if you'll be picking up the series.

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