Shadecraft #5 brings the first arc of Zadie Lu and her family’s shadowy adventures to an end. This issue sees Zadie and her mom Melinda infiltrate a government facility to try and get Zadie’s brother Ricky back from Angela, the US agent. To say that Shadecraft has been a fun and entertaining ride thus far is an understatement. So going into the last issue, I had my fingers crossed that it didn’t disappoint, and it did not. If anything, It makes you even more excited to see Zadie, Melinda, Ricky, and all the other characters of Shadecraft brought to life on Netflix.
Shadecraft #5 begins with Zadie and her mother taking down the security detail guarding the facility where Angela is holding Zadie’s brother Ricky. It’s a funny back and forth dynamic that demonstrates powers Melinda possesses that Zadie hasn’t even learned yet, proving that although Zadie is in control of her shadows, she still has a lot to learn. But something magical occurs while Zadie and Melinda make their way to Ricky — the pacing allows them to share a tender heart-to-heart moment that adds some closure between mother and daughter as the story moves forward.

It’s just a terrific story with many of the same components and chemistry that made TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrine the Teenage Witch household names. Like the rest of the series, Issue #5 has been a creative blend of fun and suspense. But the meat and potatoes of why this is such an engaging series are its combinations of tropes we love mixed with original storytelling. It’s not your typical chosen one type of story.
Of course, the journey through the chaos wouldn’t be complete without the genius illustrations by Lee Garbett. Garbett’s work has provided a fun and balanced exchange of humorous and shadowy frightful panels that deliver every time. His transitions from one scene to the next are near perfect, and the placement of characters is spot on. I love how he gave each character their own time to shine in this last issue.
Shadecraft #5 is an awesome and enjoyable book that ends one chapter and starts a new one. If you are a fan of shows like Charmed, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, or True Blood, you’ll love this book.

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