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. Some of the team members are Homo Magi.
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[edit] History
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 throughout 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 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.[1]
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 Detective Chimp with choosing a new Doctor Fate. Finding that the Helm of Fate doesn’t fit him, Detective Chimp gives it to Captain Marvel to throw from the Rock and let it fall to Earth, letting fate itself chose the new Doctor Fate.
[edit] Shadowpact series
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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 and frees the team, which overpowers the Pentacle and breaks Strega’s spell.[2]
In their next storyline the members of the Shadowpact have found themselves targeted by a whole host of villains including Blue Moon, Wild Huntsman, and The Congregation. They are all following the orders of Doctor Gotham, a new villain who has spent millenia underground, and has now set his sights on getting rid of the Shadowpact. Strega has also been revealed to be his ally, and he was responsible for previous taks that the Shadowpact thwarted. During this arc Enchantress and Ragman are both turned into hellhounds by the Wild Hunstman and Nightshade, Blue Devil, and Ragman are all blinded by The Congregation. Despite these injuries the Shadowpact manage to force The Congregation to retreat.[3] With help from Madame Xanadu they manage to cure their blinded teammates, and despite all their recent troubles the Shadowpact now find themselves in a stronger position in the magical order; Enchantress gained the possession of the Herne-Ramsgate Cauldron from Nightwitch which gives the Shadowpact access to information on every magical creature in the DC Universe, while Detective Chimp and Nightmaster have studied tactical and superhero strategies in order to mold the Shadowpact into the best team possible. A part of this was writing the "Three Universal Laws of Superheroics", a tip of the hat to Issac Asimov, as recited by Detective Chimp.[4]
| “ | First Law: The lives and safety of innocent bystanders will always be protected. Second Law: The lives and safety of you (the superhero) and members of your team will be protected to the extent that it does not conflict with the First Law. Third Law: The lives and safety of all opponents will be protected to the extent that it doesn't conflict with the first two Laws. |
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[edit] Current status
The Shadowpact have recently been deputised by Checkmate in order for them to assist the Black Queen in infiltrating Kobra. While the team originally thought this would be a one time arrangement, the Black Queen has informed them that they will be serving Checkmate for as long as they are needed, to the annoyance of the Enchantress.[5]
[edit] Membership
- Blue Devil - Daniel Cassidy, is a former Hollywood stuntman cursed by the demon Nebiros, now demoted to Rhyming Demon.[6]
- Detective Chimp - Bobo T. Chimp, is the world's greatest simian detective.[6]
- Enchantress - June Moone, given great power by a mysterious magical being.[6]
- Nightmaster - Jim Rook, wielder of the Nightblade, leader of the Shadowpact, former owner of the Oblivion Bar.[6]
- Nightshade - Eve Eden, refugee from the Land of the Nightshades, former government operative.[6]
- Ragman - Rory Regan, latest in a long line of redeemers who use the "Great Collector Artifact" to fight evil.[6]
[edit] Temporary members
- Acheron - He professes to be a powerful ghost but not in the Spectre's league. [7]
- Midnight Rider - Elias Stone, wields a pair of enchanted six-shooters he calls Ghost Pistols that only appear at night. [7]
- Warlock's Daughter - Laura Fell, is the former acolyte of Johnny Warlock. Laura and Johhny share the same power source and were both confined at the Dark Tower. [7]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Willingham, Bill (w), McDaniel, Scott (p), Owens, Andy (i). "Too Many Villains!" Robin v2 #145 February, 2006 DC Comics.
- ^ Willingham, Bill (w), Willingham, Bill & Walker, Cory (p), Willingham, Bill; Faucher, Wayne; & Walker, Cory (i). Shadowpact v1 #1-3 July - September, 2006 DC Comics.
- ^ Willingham, Bill (w), Scott, Steve; Walker, Cory; Derenick, Tom; & McManus, Shawn (p), Faucher, Wayne; Walker, Cory; & McManus, Shawn (i). Shadowpact v1 #5-8 November 2006 - February, 2007 DC Comics.
- ^ Willingham, Bill (w), Derenick, Tom (p), Faucher, Wayne (i). "Three Laws Safe" Shadowpact v1 #9 March, 2007 DC Comics (3/2-3).
- ^ Rucka, Greg (w), Saiz, Jesus (p,i). "Pawn 502: Part 2" Checkmate v2 #9 February, 2007 DC Comics.
- ^ a b c d e f Willingham, Bill (w), Justiniano (p), Wong, Walden (i). "Chapter One: One Last Drink at the End of Time" Day of Vengeance v1 #1 June, 2006 DC Comics.
- ^ a b c Willingham, Bill (w), Derenick, Tom (p), Faucher, Wayne (i). "Cursed" Shadowpact v1 #10 April, 2007 DC Comics (21-22).
[edit] External links
- The Grand Comics Database Project - index for Shadowpact.
