Shadowpact
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The Shadowpact is a group of magic-based heroes who fought against the Spectre in the 2005 limited series Day of Vengeance, published by DC Comics.
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[edit] Origin
The group is founded on a spur of the moment impulse by Enchantress, Ragman and Detective Chimp to get rid of the Spectre because of his decision to destroy all magic in the universe. They are joined by Blue Devil, Nightshade, and Nightmaster, that latter christening the group the "Shadowpact".
During the course of the story, it is revealed by the wizard Shazam that the name “Shadowpact” has been used repetitively through history by groups of mystics who champion lost causes and who are doomed to failure.
In their fight with the Spectre, the group is aided by others: the Phantom Stranger, who advised the Detective Chimp even though he had been transformed into a rat; Captain Marvel; the wizard Shazam; and Black Alice. At the end of the limited series though, only the six core members remain with the team. The Phantom Stranger, returning to human form, continues to advise the group. Captain Marvel is defeated by the Spectre as he tries to defend the Rock of Eternity. The wizard Shazam is also defeated by the Spectre. And Black Alice, after witnessing the final battle on the Rock from afar with the Shadowpact, leaves to be with her father in Dayton, Ohio, without formally joining the team.
Some time afterwards, the Shadowpact helps Robin in rounding up meta-humans in Blüdhaven, right before the city is destroyed. During the adventure, they are again aided by another magic-based hero, the Warlock's Daughter.
Shadowpact are headquartered in the Oblivion Bar, a hangout for mystics with a secret entrance in Gotham City. Jim Rook was then the owner of the bar. During the team's one year absence (see below), a flipper-armed conjurer named Eddie Deacon took over. Deacon claims ownership despite Rook's return.
[edit] Day of Vengeance Special
In the Day of Vengeance Special, the Shadowpact members join other magic users in trying to rebuild the Rock of Eternity after it shatters over Gotham City. Under the guidance of the Phantom Stranger, the gathered heroes split into three groups: one lead by Zatanna to gather and reassemble all the pieces of the Rock and its contents; one to act as bait for the Seven Deadly Sins; and one, composed of the Phantom Stranger and the Shadowpact, to actually trap the Sins. The plan works well, with Zatanna’s team making relatively short work of the retrieval and reconstruction. After capturing Greed, Nightshade is attacked and abducted by Felix Faust and the Demons Three, who deliver her to Alexander Luthor, Jr., who incorporates her into his multiverse power battery.
With the Rock of Eternity restored, Zatanna tells Captain Marvel that he will have to remain inside it to make sure the wild magic it holds remains contained. While the Rock is being restored, Nabu, the last Lord of Order, confronts the Spectre. He goads the Spectre to the point where the Spectre kills him. This act has two results. First, it forces the Presence to notice what the Spectre has been doing and place him in a new host, Crispus Allen. Second, it signals the end of the Ninth Age and the Dawn of the Tenth. Making it to the Rock, Nabu has time before he passes to explain to the heroes what has happened to the Spectre and to charge the Detective Chimp with choosing a new Doctor Fate. Finding that the Helm of Fate doesn’t fit him, the Detective Chip gives it to Captain Marvel to throw from the Rock and let it fall to Earth, letting fate chose the new Doctor Fate.
[edit] Shadowpact Series
A Shadowpact ongoing series saw publication in May 2006. The team is now operating out of the back of the Oblivion Bar.
In the first arc, a villain group known as the Pentacle whose members mirror the Shadowpact is introduced. The Pentacle forms a nearly impenetrable shield of solid blood over an American town and systematically kills the townspeople as a means to summon Strega's master, the Lord of Light. The Shadowpact enter the town with the help of the Phantom Stranger. The Shadowpact is captured, but Detective Chimp escapes frees the team, which overpowers the Pentacle and breaks Strega’s spell.
