The Shadow, Vol. 3: The Light of the World

Some time ago, in France, a young orphan girl is approached by a man whose face is hidden in shadow. He tells her that she has a pure spirit and she is trapped in a world of decay and corruption. He has seen her admire the beauty that the world has to offer, even though her life is so miserable. He offers to teach her to see even more, but it is her choice as to whether she wants to be taught.

James Randolph has three prostitutes with him in a hotel room. Suddenly, a glowing woman in white carrying two swords appears in the room and tells him that he is a divine soul trapped in corruptible flesh. He is a child of the pure light stained by darkness and shadows. She tells him that he has surrendered eternity for a life of corruption and sin. Raising her sword, she states that he must now pay for the wages of sin.

After the fourth person is found sliced up, Lamont Cranston, aka The Shadow, along with Margo Lane, intends to find out what the connection is between the people that have been killed. They meet with Commissioner Weston at the Cobalt Club. Weston informs them that each of the victims overindulged in something; from painted ladies, food, to makeup, jewelry and clothing. Cranston also inquires about the "Lady Phantom" that has been sighted as near several of the murder scenes.

A doorman, Jericho Druke, contacts the Shadow when he lets a man into his building that is very intoxicated. The Shadow shows up just in time to see the dual sword-wielding woman in white passing judgment on the drunk man. The Shadows tells her to stop, but she rebukes his words and informs him that she is the Light of the World and follows a higher calling. She states that no one will stop her from visiting judgment on those that sin. The Shadow is not fast enough to prevent her from impaling the man with her sword, and then fleeing.

The following day, at the hospital, Inspector Cardona tries to interview the injured man, but all the guy can talk about is the blinding light. Later that day, with only hospital staff entering the man's room, and a policeman outside of his door, the man is found slain. Cranston calls Burbank and gives him a physical description of the woman in white, the "Light," as he is calling her. Cranston tells Burbank to pass along the Light's description to all of the agents.

The Shadow pays a visit to Inspector Cardona and asks about the first victim. Cardona informs him that the had clothes on that were stained with oil. Also, the didn't have any American money in his wallet, only French bills.

Margo Lane, going undercover, shows up at the hospital where the man was killed and is taken into the office of a doctor and a nurse, Sister Esclarmonde. Lane admits that her stomach ache may be because she overindulges in champagne and caviar seven nights a week, has seven or eight drinks a night, and is very lazy. Lane reports back to Cranston that she talked with several doctors, nurses, and patients at the hospital, but not one saw or heard anything the night before. She also admits that she was horrible at making up a pretend illness in order to gather the information Cranston needed.

One of the Shadows agent, Shrevvy, hunts down some information on a foreign dockworker named Victor LaRue, who may have been the Light's first victim. Cranston is convinced that the key to the mystery is the first murder, as it doesn't fit the pattern of the others. He swears that he will find the Light before she kills again. The Shadow hits the pavement looking for more information about LaRue.

Back at Lane's apartment, she is getting out of the shower when she gets a phone call from her friend, Gayle. Gayle would like for her to come out to the club tonight, but Lane is tired. She admits that she has been busy lately. In fact, she tells Gayle that she may even be the crowned queen of lazy. Little does she know that the Light is standing outside of her apartment window listening to every word. Will the Shadow be able to save Lane from meeting her untimely doom? On the Shadow knows . . .

The Shadow Vol. 3: the Light of the World is a Dynamite Entertainment paranormal graphic novel starring the Shadow. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" The graphic novel is written by Chris Robertson with art by Giovanni Timpano. This graphic novel is a collection of the following comic books:

The Shadow #13 - 18