SHAFT #5 (15 April 2015, Dynamite Entertainment) ∗∗∗∗∗
Shaft Created by Ernest Tidyman
Written and Lettered by David F. Walker
Illustrated by Bilquis Evely
Coloured by Daniela Miwa
Cover A by Denys Cowan, Bill Sienkiewicz and Ivan Nunes
Shaft has tracked down Marisol DuPree and gets enough information from her to trace the package Arletha has hidden away. He discovers the package is some photos of DuPree, who had fallen into prostitution, with various businessmen including an official from the Port Authority. Shaft realises he has been caught in the middle of a blackmail plot and politics around the finalised location of the World Trade Center, originally planned for Harlem. Shaft is now looking to play two factions off against each other as he seeks revenge for Arletha’s death.
The Shaft comic book series maintains its high standard with another great read with both the script and artwork in tune with the late 1960s period NYC setting. This edition sets things up nicely for the finale (Shaft #6 is due out imminently). Walker has brought the plot strands together nicely and the character of Shaft has been evolving to that we see in Ernest Tidyman’s original novel. This prequel has been a great ride and the pay-off promises to be a satisfying one.