Spirit of the Shadows #1 is written by Nick Cagnetti and Daniel Ziegler and published by Oni Press. Artwork is by Nick Cagnetti. Main cover art (left) is by Nick Cagnetti.
Spirit of the Shadows #1 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
Once, Erik Leroux was a mortal musician, selflessly devoted to his music and his true love, Katrina . . . until his sudden death plunged his soul into the carnival-like torments of the Spirit World beyond our own. Now, reborn as a phantom with fleeting memories of his life among the living, and forever cursed to bear the arcane costume his corpse wore to the grave, Erik will claw his way back from the infernal planes to uncover the mysteries of his own life . . . and avenge the dark sins that transformed him into the SPIRIT OF THE SHADOWS!
Review
Every once in a while, a series will come along that defies convention and genre. Leaving its mark on the comic book world in the blink of an eye. Whether they realise it or not, Nick Cagnetti and Daniel Ziegler may have just given us that very comic with their new series Spirit of the Shadows.
The first thing to address, as it is arguably the biggest selling point of this comic, is the gorgeous art by Cagnetti. Words can’t do justice to how unique and dynamic the visual style of this comic is. Every page is bursting at the seams with an energy and vibrancy, unlike anything I’ve read in the last couple of years. This is a comic that is taking a vast array of art styles and mashing them together in a surprisingly cohesive manner, from Jack Kirby-esque character designs to environments that use colours and shapes similar to those of the 80s New York art scene. You name the aesthetic, and it is most definitely represented here.
Thankfully, this is far from a case of style over substance, as it uses these differing and occasionally conflicting aesthetics to propel its story forward in one way or another. The initial confusion felt by Erik Leroux as he is thrust into this bizarre realm, cursed to wear the very costume he was buried in, is reinforced by the vivid colours thrown at the reader from page one. What also helps is that Erik is a straightforward yet sympathetic character who constantly proves himself to be a fascinatingly complex protagonist for this narrative.
Besides, the very nature of the story and how this afterlife operates lend themselves to a variety of creative and bold storytelling opportunities that consistently break conventions within the visual identity it establishes. As Erik attempts to piece together his memories through a book that shows how his life played out, the very structure of the comic itself changes. This even goes as far as breaking the fourth wall as a creature eats the pages of the book Erik is currently reading, halting the flashback abruptly. It’s choices such as this that keep you on your toes with every panel and maintain a snappy pace from start to finish.
Despite dealing with themes of grief, love, and self-discovery, Spirit of the Shadows never forgets to inject a bit of humour into the proceedings, which would be expected given its surreal visuals. It never forgets that its setting and art are its own playground to explore these topics within, and it does so in an incredibly satisfying way that feels genuinely earned, leaving plenty of room for further exploration in future instalments.
As the issue comes to a close with a cliffhanger involving a mysterious witch named Helena Hextress, the bar this series sets itself continues to be raised to a ridiculously high standard…and this is just its first issue. Spirit of the Shadows is one of those rare instances where every idea, big or small, has been thrown at the wall and they all stick their landing. With its psychedelic artwork, engaging characters and bold identity, this is a comic that is coming into 2026 loud and proud, and the result is a deliriously entertaining feast for the eyes.
Verdict
Spirit of the Shadows #1 comes out swinging as one of the most visually creative and stylish comics in recent years. From its luminous artwork to its instantly memorable characters and playful energy, this is one series you don’t want to miss.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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