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[Linked Image from cdn11.bigcommerce.com]

I recently re-watched the 1994 movie The Shadow, starring Alec Baldwin, Penelope Ann Miller, and Tim Curry. That I actually like a lot, although it got mixed reviews.
I especially love the eerie musical score, a mixture of far-eastern/Himalayan music and classical music. And the cinematography, and a lot clever lines, in a great mix of action and humor.

It occurred to me that movie might never have been made if not for Dennis O'Neil.


First the 1973-1975 THE SHADOW comic series by O'Neil.
First with Michael Kaluta art (1-4, 6, and covers on 10-12), then with Frank Robbins art (5, 7, 8, and 9), and concluding with E.R. Cruz art on 10-12 .
That brought the character back, after decades of obscurity. And with enduring acclaim.
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/The-Shadow-1973

(And roughly the same month as THE SHADOW issue 12, O'Neil and E.R. Cruz also did a one-shot SHERLOCK HOLMES issue.
Interesting to see the same creative writer/arist team on another famous mystery detective character, that compares well with their SHADOW run).
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Sherlock-Holmes-1975

See also a 4-issue JUSTICE INC. run. On another pulp hero detective character, The Avenger. Great to see O'Neil doing a similar pulp adventure character.
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Justice-Inc-1975
Issue 1 by O'Neil and artist Al McWilliams.
Issues 2-4 by O'Neil and Jack Kirby.

O'Neil also teamed up The Shadow and The Avenger in THE SHADOW issue 11.
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/The-Shadow-1973/Issue-11?id=121002



Then there was a THE SHADOW four-issue Howard Chaykin miniseries in 1986 that was enormously popular. Bringing an aging Shadow and his crew of operatives back, in a modern 1980's setting.
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/The-Shadow-1986

Followed by another ongoing 1987-1989 THE SHADOW series, that seems to continue the Shadow in the 1980's era, by Andy Helfer and Bill Sienkiewicz (issues 1-6)..
And then Helfer and Kyle Baker (issues 7-19).
At 19 issues, a respectable run, manifesting continued popularity.
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/The-Shadow-1987



And then THE SHADOW: HITLER'S ASTROLOGER (Marvel Graphic Novel 34), in 1989 by O'Neil, Kaluta and Russ Heath, that also seemed very well received.
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Ma...-The-Shadow-Hitler-s-Astrologer?id=49898

Plus a reprint hardcover collection of the 1973 O'Neil/Kaluta series in 1989, PRIVATE FILES OF THE SHADOW.
Reprinting issues 1-4, and 6, all by O'Neil and Kaluta.
And a new 20-page story, both written and illustrated by Kaluta alone.
( NOTE: This link reprints only the last story, the other issues you can read at the above link for the original 1973 series issues.)
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/The-Private-Files-of-the-Shadow

And it would have been right about then that those successful commercial ventures would have put a movie version of The Shadow into production.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadow_(1994_film)

Plus a THE SHADOW movie adaptation in 1994, released with the movie, two issues, by Kaluta
https://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action-list&title=74121687376&snumber=1


[Linked Image from milehighcomics.com]
THE SHADOW movie adaptation 1, cover by Kaluta, 1994


Among at least a dozen other THE SHADOW series published since those listed.
The point being, O'Neil's initial revival, along with several other THE SHADOW titles by O'Neil, seem to be what revived and have sustained the character in the last few decades, that led to a The Shadow movie in 1994.

Frankly, it looks to me like for its producers, the 1994 movie was a box office and critical disappointment. But the sustained popularity of O'Neil's work on the character seems to be what made a movie version feasible. I love both the movie and the adaptation. But apparently not as well received by many others.