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Shadow Service #6-10
Shadow Service Vol. 2: Mission Infernal
First Gina was a witch. Then she was a spy. Now she’s a traitor. Spycraft meets witchcraft in the world of MI666
BLACK MAGIC MEETS BLACK OPS.
Betrayed by one of their own, the Shadow Service takes to the dangerous streets of Rome. But can the traitor be brought back into the fold? The chase is on. Spycraft meets witchcraft in the world of MI666.
Collects #6 to #10 of the ongoing series.
BLACK MAGIC MEETS BLACK OPS.
Betrayed by one of their own, the Shadow Service takes to the dangerous streets of Rome. But can the traitor be brought back into the fold? The chase is on. Spycraft meets witchcraft in the world of MI666.
Collects #6 to #10 of the ongoing series.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2021
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Cavan Scott
846 books436 followersis a freelance comic writer and author. He is best known for his work on a variety of spin-offs from both Doctor Who and Star Wars, as well as comics and novels for Vikings, Pacific Rim, Sherlock Holmes, and Penguins of Madagascar.
Cavan Scott, along with Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, Daniel Jose Older, and Charles Soule are crafting a new era in the Star Wars publishing world called Star Wars: The High Republic. Cavan's contribution to the era is a comic book series released through Marvel Comics titled Star Wars: The High Republic.
Cavan Scott, along with Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, Daniel Jose Older, and Charles Soule are crafting a new era in the Star Wars publishing world called Star Wars: The High Republic. Cavan's contribution to the era is a comic book series released through Marvel Comics titled Star Wars: The High Republic.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 17, 2022
Gina and Quill are on the run from MI-666. Lots of double-dealing and backstories. Not as much snark. Some big gut punches at the end. Still the series is quite entertaining and I can never get enough supernatural James Bond.
January 17, 2022
This series has just never got out of the “just ok” realm form me. Cool concept with nice art that just isn’t executed that well. Can’t really put my finger on it but it’s missing that “wow” factor.
November 1, 2021
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
Almost (but not quite) as thrilling as Shadow Service Vol. 1. Still very much British—it doesn’t get more British than sticking your middle finger up at old Boris when you get the chance—and with a smattering of sarcastic humour. Yet the atmosphere was more serious and less fun than that of the first instalment in the series. Still, the art was as reliably good as vol 1. I particularly loved the beautifully coloured variant covers.
One thing this vol did satisfyingly well was giving us that much-needed backstory for many of the characters. I really appreciated the way the plot and backstories interwove and that lent itself to a more impactful ending. And this vol certainly ended with more than one bang. It should be interesting to see how the story continues after such catastrophic changes...
Almost (but not quite) as thrilling as Shadow Service Vol. 1. Still very much British—it doesn’t get more British than sticking your middle finger up at old Boris when you get the chance—and with a smattering of sarcastic humour. Yet the atmosphere was more serious and less fun than that of the first instalment in the series. Still, the art was as reliably good as vol 1. I particularly loved the beautifully coloured variant covers.
One thing this vol did satisfyingly well was giving us that much-needed backstory for many of the characters. I really appreciated the way the plot and backstories interwove and that lent itself to a more impactful ending. And this vol certainly ended with more than one bang. It should be interesting to see how the story continues after such catastrophic changes...
September 30, 2021
What can I say, more of the same stuff as vol 1 but ramped up a few more notches. Spycraft, mysticism, horror, snark - this series has it all
November 14, 2021
I like to read comics/graphic novels to give myself a quick refresh before diving back into another fictional world. Shadow Service follows witch Gina Meyers and Edwin, her adorable talking rat, as she lives life as a private detective trying to keep the criminal underworld in it’s place. Her work, along with the MI666 takes her from London to Rome and everywhere in between.
This series is perfect for fans of supernatural crime comics with a dark sense of humour. Though I’m not sure I would like Gina as much if it wasn’t for Edwin.
This series is perfect for fans of supernatural crime comics with a dark sense of humour. Though I’m not sure I would like Gina as much if it wasn’t for Edwin.
March 21, 2022
Life isn't going particularly well for Gina Meyer. Has it ever? Debatable. For now, she'll have to make-do while on the run from a black magic special investigations unit, while staunching the sniper-fire wound acquired by one of her few friends on this mortal plane, and while going undercover to kill an aged and powerful demon seeking to annihilate humanity. Life sucks.
SHADOW SERVICE v2 invokes nearly as much of the weird, corrupt, and ancient occult of the previous volume, but with loads of backstory for context. It's difficult to chide a clever and original comic book for harboring an affection for context. On the one hand, backstory has a tendency to forestall or delay more dynamic events, whereas on the other, without a look into the weary minds of these characters, readers may not fully grasp how fractured and needy these characters truly are. Humans, needy and broken, whether they be witches of unknown lineage, shapeshifters bereft of a home, or soldiers who have lost the capacity to feel.
As Gina and her handler, Gideon Quill, arrive in Rome, Italy, to confront the demon Lady Yastrik, the ragtag investigation team, Section 26, is quick on their heels. Naturally, it could be problematic that Edwin is held hostage. But then again, Eddie's a rat; he'll find a way out no matter the cost to pride or allegiance. SHADOW SERVICE v2 does slow down the narrative by invoking the backstories of Eddie, Hex, and even Aashi Sidhu, the former special forces lance-corporal. But the creative team also positions the story to make a few calculated leaps forward when readers finally realize how much these characters have invested into wielding black magic and the occult to their benefit.
Lady Yastrik, for example, is a no fool. When she conjures an illusion to simulate endless torture, one learns it's as much for her own amusement as it is to pull information out of earnest trespassers. That she runs an underground nudie bar, fronted by occult glamour that belies even darker ills, becomes a fount of metaphors on the woman's moral altitude. It's only later that Hex and his team uncover Lady Yastrik's more devious inclination: a "weapon of mass damnation" that will possess and tear apart all of human civilization. In the meantime, if Yastrik can uncover just who or what Gina is, then that'd be the icing on the cake ("You really are the most curious specimen. How can someone so powerful be so inexperienced?").
But jaunts to the netherworld, glimpses of terrifying fates, repeated betrayals, and a few candid declarations of eternal affection are all readers need to sink into the calamity of a disaster-witch constantly in over her head. The volume's conclusion is a bit of an amalgam of scale and convenience, but the comic does well to keep to its genre-clever and emotionally sympathetic vibe. Gina trusts no one, and for good reason. However, to do good things, she'll have to trust someone for myriad, selective reasons. It's not ideal, and life still sucks, but at least human civilization will survive in the end. Will she, or her very, very few friends, be so lucky?
SHADOW SERVICE v2 invokes nearly as much of the weird, corrupt, and ancient occult of the previous volume, but with loads of backstory for context. It's difficult to chide a clever and original comic book for harboring an affection for context. On the one hand, backstory has a tendency to forestall or delay more dynamic events, whereas on the other, without a look into the weary minds of these characters, readers may not fully grasp how fractured and needy these characters truly are. Humans, needy and broken, whether they be witches of unknown lineage, shapeshifters bereft of a home, or soldiers who have lost the capacity to feel.
As Gina and her handler, Gideon Quill, arrive in Rome, Italy, to confront the demon Lady Yastrik, the ragtag investigation team, Section 26, is quick on their heels. Naturally, it could be problematic that Edwin is held hostage. But then again, Eddie's a rat; he'll find a way out no matter the cost to pride or allegiance. SHADOW SERVICE v2 does slow down the narrative by invoking the backstories of Eddie, Hex, and even Aashi Sidhu, the former special forces lance-corporal. But the creative team also positions the story to make a few calculated leaps forward when readers finally realize how much these characters have invested into wielding black magic and the occult to their benefit.
Lady Yastrik, for example, is a no fool. When she conjures an illusion to simulate endless torture, one learns it's as much for her own amusement as it is to pull information out of earnest trespassers. That she runs an underground nudie bar, fronted by occult glamour that belies even darker ills, becomes a fount of metaphors on the woman's moral altitude. It's only later that Hex and his team uncover Lady Yastrik's more devious inclination: a "weapon of mass damnation" that will possess and tear apart all of human civilization. In the meantime, if Yastrik can uncover just who or what Gina is, then that'd be the icing on the cake ("You really are the most curious specimen. How can someone so powerful be so inexperienced?").
But jaunts to the netherworld, glimpses of terrifying fates, repeated betrayals, and a few candid declarations of eternal affection are all readers need to sink into the calamity of a disaster-witch constantly in over her head. The volume's conclusion is a bit of an amalgam of scale and convenience, but the comic does well to keep to its genre-clever and emotionally sympathetic vibe. Gina trusts no one, and for good reason. However, to do good things, she'll have to trust someone for myriad, selective reasons. It's not ideal, and life still sucks, but at least human civilization will survive in the end. Will she, or her very, very few friends, be so lucky?
April 9, 2022
“You shouldn’t have come, Gina… Shouldn’t have been born…”
4,5/5!
Volume 2 kicks off right where Volume 1 ended. Gina and Quill are on a mission of their own to kill the woman Quill has been working for. They are also hiding from MI666. During their mission Gina is tormented, tortured and forced to face infernal powers as well as truths of her past and powers.
This volume was just as great as the first one. The storyline remains strong and Scott keeps the balance between horror/gore/action/monsters and friendship/character development/humour wonderfully. The twists in this volume were also, just as they were in the first one, wonderful and well done. Some I saw coming and some I so didn't. The art is also just so disturbingly beautiful and truly elevates this already great story to a whole other level of awesomeness.
Gina is such an engaging character and I grew to like her even more during this second arc. I also liked seeing more from Quill and learning about their relationship and why Gina is so determined to save and help this shady man with so much blood on his hands. Edwin the rat also had an incredible journey in this arc and all we found out about him was awesome. His friendship with Gina is so intriguing. We got a few reveals about Hex's past and powers - we still don't know much and he is still mysterious, but what we did saw was real fucking cool. I want to know so much more about him.
I hope in the next volumes we'll learn more about Aashi. So far she is the only character who hasn't gotten her backstory revealed. I'm not saying this as a critique cause I'm sure it's coming and I think if her story and her past would've been added to any of these earlier issues they would've been a bit too crowded. There was already so much happening!
I've had great fun with this series and I'm eager for the next arc! Sadly I will no longer be able to binge-read this series, but I'm sure I'll love it just as much when I have to read it one issue at a time.
4,5/5!
Volume 2 kicks off right where Volume 1 ended. Gina and Quill are on a mission of their own to kill the woman Quill has been working for. They are also hiding from MI666. During their mission Gina is tormented, tortured and forced to face infernal powers as well as truths of her past and powers.
This volume was just as great as the first one. The storyline remains strong and Scott keeps the balance between horror/gore/action/monsters and friendship/character development/humour wonderfully. The twists in this volume were also, just as they were in the first one, wonderful and well done. Some I saw coming and some I so didn't. The art is also just so disturbingly beautiful and truly elevates this already great story to a whole other level of awesomeness.
Gina is such an engaging character and I grew to like her even more during this second arc. I also liked seeing more from Quill and learning about their relationship and why Gina is so determined to save and help this shady man with so much blood on his hands. Edwin the rat also had an incredible journey in this arc and all we found out about him was awesome. His friendship with Gina is so intriguing. We got a few reveals about Hex's past and powers - we still don't know much and he is still mysterious, but what we did saw was real fucking cool. I want to know so much more about him.
I hope in the next volumes we'll learn more about Aashi. So far she is the only character who hasn't gotten her backstory revealed. I'm not saying this as a critique cause I'm sure it's coming and I think if her story and her past would've been added to any of these earlier issues they would've been a bit too crowded. There was already so much happening!
I've had great fun with this series and I'm eager for the next arc! Sadly I will no longer be able to binge-read this series, but I'm sure I'll love it just as much when I have to read it one issue at a time.
November 30, 2021
Thank you to Black Crow PR for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I read Volume 1 and 2 before writing this review, so while there won’t be any spoilers I am writing this review about both volumes.
Shadow Service completely surprised me, I knew I was going to enjoy it but I went in mostly blind and was very surprised by where this series went! It starts out following a witch who is a PI and very quickly terrifying creatures start to appear.
This sets the tone for the series as it barrels through the story, as graphic novels always do, throwing new characters at us and more horror-like creatures along the way. There are some truly beautiful spreads inside of huge angelic/demonic beings that really capture the atmosphere of the graphic novels.
Volume 1 is a lot more about meeting MI666 and learning a little bit more about their work and what their main aim is. You don’t get much backstory of any character until Volume 2, which is where I feel the story starts to get stronger. It starts to take a deep dive into the pasts of all our MI666 agents and it starts to draw you into the world more.
Shadow Service is dark and intriguing. Mix the occult with horror and some gorgeous spreads and you get Shadow Service. This is a worthy addition to any graphic novel lovers shelf.
I read Volume 1 and 2 before writing this review, so while there won’t be any spoilers I am writing this review about both volumes.
Shadow Service completely surprised me, I knew I was going to enjoy it but I went in mostly blind and was very surprised by where this series went! It starts out following a witch who is a PI and very quickly terrifying creatures start to appear.
This sets the tone for the series as it barrels through the story, as graphic novels always do, throwing new characters at us and more horror-like creatures along the way. There are some truly beautiful spreads inside of huge angelic/demonic beings that really capture the atmosphere of the graphic novels.
Volume 1 is a lot more about meeting MI666 and learning a little bit more about their work and what their main aim is. You don’t get much backstory of any character until Volume 2, which is where I feel the story starts to get stronger. It starts to take a deep dive into the pasts of all our MI666 agents and it starts to draw you into the world more.
Shadow Service is dark and intriguing. Mix the occult with horror and some gorgeous spreads and you get Shadow Service. This is a worthy addition to any graphic novel lovers shelf.
October 5, 2021
I went into this read without the smallest ideas of what I was about to start and if you are looking for a quick read with an easy dive in the story and great art, you should definitely pick up this book.
I like to think of this story as Ratatui meets Witch Jessica Jones meets The Umbrella Academy: we have a grumpy superpowered woman who follows leads from a rat to find people and I adored them. Her already hard life gets complicated when she realizes that she is not the only magical being and comes across a secret agency lead by being in a child's body and his team: a cannibal and an assassin that cannot feel anything. And I loved these two even more.
What I liked the most about these two volumes was that they were a sequence of tragedies and tortures and as a reader apparently, that is what I liked to read about. Seriously the torture scenes are worth the money alone. Also, the artist knows how to draw physically strong women without killing them under the male gaze/ fantasy of heat they should look like.
I need the next volume for tomorrow.
Thank you Black Crow Pr for these DRCs.
Rating: 4/5
I like to think of this story as Ratatui meets Witch Jessica Jones meets The Umbrella Academy: we have a grumpy superpowered woman who follows leads from a rat to find people and I adored them. Her already hard life gets complicated when she realizes that she is not the only magical being and comes across a secret agency lead by being in a child's body and his team: a cannibal and an assassin that cannot feel anything. And I loved these two even more.
What I liked the most about these two volumes was that they were a sequence of tragedies and tortures and as a reader apparently, that is what I liked to read about. Seriously the torture scenes are worth the money alone. Also, the artist knows how to draw physically strong women without killing them under the male gaze/ fantasy of heat they should look like.
I need the next volume for tomorrow.
Thank you Black Crow Pr for these DRCs.
Rating: 4/5
December 22, 2022
In the second graphic novel of the series, Gina joins the supernatural government agency. However, she decides to betray them and she is on the run. Will Gina be able to outrun her colleagues?
The second book in the series was just as entertaining and fun to read as the first. The book does end on a thrilling cliff hanger but, I can't wait to read more. I liked that the author went into some details about each of the characters and their motivation. I felt that it gave you a well rounded idea of each character. I also like that majority of the questions were answered and not dragged out. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
The second book in the series was just as entertaining and fun to read as the first. The book does end on a thrilling cliff hanger but, I can't wait to read more. I liked that the author went into some details about each of the characters and their motivation. I felt that it gave you a well rounded idea of each character. I also like that majority of the questions were answered and not dragged out. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
October 2, 2021
Thank you Black Crow Pr for introducing me to a graphic novel perfect for October as Secret service meets Supernatural in this demonic follow up
I did read this first which means I know a bit more about the characters back stories but the spy service within a spy service being MI666 is very amusing.
I love the tongue in cheek puns & the illustrations really pop the story off the pages great entertainment.
I did read this first which means I know a bit more about the characters back stories but the spy service within a spy service being MI666 is very amusing.
I love the tongue in cheek puns & the illustrations really pop the story off the pages great entertainment.
December 27, 2022
This picks up just where volume one finished and is a fun continuation of the story. We get a little more character development for all involved. However, I do think it jumps around a little too much. It does come to a satisfying—if open—ending though. I'd happily read another few volumes.
On an amusing side note, I love that the same couple showed up in the background almost everywhere the characters went.
On an amusing side note, I love that the same couple showed up in the background almost everywhere the characters went.
January 13, 2026
Section 26 / MI 666 is back with a vengence. "Shadow Service: Mission Infernal", the second volume of this series, considerably ups the game from the first volume. This book is a bit shaky, but unlike the first it is not a vaguely defined "Rivers of London" wannabe. Expect a plot arc that is beginning to take shape, some significant character development for Gina and good amount of back story detail for Hex and the Wraiths.
4.25 stars out of 5 rounded to 4 .
4.25 stars out of 5 rounded to 4 .
December 25, 2023
More betrayals and somewhat convoluted plots within plots, as we complete the flashbacks about the various characters' origins. Props and points for adding Clive Barker-esque aesthetics to demons. Again, the "everything is a lie and machination" trope is a bit tiresome, but not enough to truly spoil the reading.
March 24, 2023
I loved more on the world of mi-666 and hearing about the team and all the agents in this volume. I really liked the story as it went further into the past of the mc and the other characters. The illustrations are great too!
May 20, 2022
action packed.. bloody.. gorey and just a great ccast of chracters - I need more!!
March 28, 2023
A great continuation. I’m also wondering about Gina’s origins now.
March 6, 2024
Book 2 Nice addition
Shadow Service Volume 2: Mission Infernal - Cavan Scott.
Excellent Bad guy. Brilliant Side Kick. And an Exciting Finale
Keep Them Coming.
Shadow Service Volume 2: Mission Infernal - Cavan Scott.
Excellent Bad guy. Brilliant Side Kick. And an Exciting Finale
Keep Them Coming.
December 30, 2024
This is definitely my new favourite graphic novel series. Oh my God, the violence, the horror, the wisecracks, the characters and the crazy story. The pure joy.
December 21, 2021
Originally posted on Just Geeking by.
Content warnings:
If you’ve read the first volume of Shadow Service and were impressed, hold onto your seats because things get even better in volume two! In the first volume we were introduced to the MI666 team and other people in Gina’s life, however, we only learned the origin story of one of them; Coyle. In this volume, we learn how Gina met Edwin the rat and Quinn, and the origin story of agent Aashi, as well as the illusive MI666 leader Hex. There’s still much more we still need to know about Hex, but we are given the basic information about who he is and where his supernatural life began.
Shadow Service Vol 2 delves much deeper into everything and as you’d expect there are a lot of plot twists which bring even more questions just as we get some answers. The wonderful artwork from volume one continues, with Corin Howell and Triona Farrell’s work growing stronger with each issue. There are some stunning scenes in the later issues as the two artists really get to dig into London’s supernatural world, bringing the demonic and the celestial to life. One thing I love about this series is the moody colour scheme and grungy textures, and they fit so well alongside Scott’s writing. They both add layers to the story which you can only get in the comic/graphic novel medium.
Scott takes us on an emotional rollercoaster as we follow Gina as she tries to work out where she belongs; is it on her own, with Quinn who has helped her out before or with MI666? The problem is that she’s no longer an obscure nobody and London’s underworld has begun to notice her… can she get away with fading back into obscurity and going back to chasing after cheating partners again? (Does she even want to?). As with volume one, Scott’s writing is on point, and the nice tip of a hat in acknowledgement to the British public who have had to live with Tories making a complete hash of things during the pandemic will go down well with many readers. It’s a scene that would not have been out of place in a Constantine issue, so if you’re a Constantine fan, then I’d suggest giving Shadow Service a shot.
The volume ends with a huge openly for the next one, and I can’t wait to see where it goes. I have so many questions!
For more of my reviews please visit my blog!
Content warnings:
If you’ve read the first volume of Shadow Service and were impressed, hold onto your seats because things get even better in volume two! In the first volume we were introduced to the MI666 team and other people in Gina’s life, however, we only learned the origin story of one of them; Coyle. In this volume, we learn how Gina met Edwin the rat and Quinn, and the origin story of agent Aashi, as well as the illusive MI666 leader Hex. There’s still much more we still need to know about Hex, but we are given the basic information about who he is and where his supernatural life began.
Shadow Service Vol 2 delves much deeper into everything and as you’d expect there are a lot of plot twists which bring even more questions just as we get some answers. The wonderful artwork from volume one continues, with Corin Howell and Triona Farrell’s work growing stronger with each issue. There are some stunning scenes in the later issues as the two artists really get to dig into London’s supernatural world, bringing the demonic and the celestial to life. One thing I love about this series is the moody colour scheme and grungy textures, and they fit so well alongside Scott’s writing. They both add layers to the story which you can only get in the comic/graphic novel medium.
Scott takes us on an emotional rollercoaster as we follow Gina as she tries to work out where she belongs; is it on her own, with Quinn who has helped her out before or with MI666? The problem is that she’s no longer an obscure nobody and London’s underworld has begun to notice her… can she get away with fading back into obscurity and going back to chasing after cheating partners again? (Does she even want to?). As with volume one, Scott’s writing is on point, and the nice tip of a hat in acknowledgement to the British public who have had to live with Tories making a complete hash of things during the pandemic will go down well with many readers. It’s a scene that would not have been out of place in a Constantine issue, so if you’re a Constantine fan, then I’d suggest giving Shadow Service a shot.
The volume ends with a huge openly for the next one, and I can’t wait to see where it goes. I have so many questions!
For more of my reviews please visit my blog!
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