Comic Title: Shade, the Changing Man:The American Scream TPB
Publisher: DC
Imprint: Vertigo
Cover Date: 2003
On Sale Date: March 19, 2003 Direct Market Date February 26, 2003
Source: Previews, Vol. 12 #12 (#168)

Direct Market Date March 19, 2003
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, March 19, 2003

Cover Price: $17.95
Page Count: 168
Editor: Scott Nybakken

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Shade the Changing Man (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Peter Milligan
Penciller: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Mark Pennington
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Daniel Vozzo

Reprinted From:
Shade, the Changing Man #4 (1990)

Feature Character(s)

• Shade the Changing Man (last appearance in Shade, the Changing Man #3; next appearance in Shade, the Changing Man #5)

Supporting Character(s)

• Kathy George (last appearance in Shade, the Changing Man #3; next appearance in Shade, the Changing Man #5)

Villain(s)

• American Scream (last appearance in Shade, the Changing Man #3; next appearance in Shade, the Changing Man #5)

Other Character(s)

• Stringer (last appearance in Shade, the Changing Man #3; no further appearances)
• Connor (last appearance in Shade, the Changing Man #3; no further appearances)
• Wizor (in flashback; a changemaster and Shade's teacher; no further appearances)
• Mellu (in flashback; Shade's fiancee; no further appearances)
• Shade's mother (in flashback; no further appearances)
• Radhu and her father (in flashback; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Shade the Changing Man (earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Suicide Squad #16)

Comments:
This story is continued in part from Shade, the Changing Man #3

Synopsis:
Following the events in Dallas, Shade's body has been turned into a two-dimensional portal that leads to the Zone of Madness. In the Zone, he is confronted by the American Scream who attempts to inflict him with madness. Shade's memories of his own past come flooding into his mind.

As a teen on planet Meta, Shade became obsessed with a young woman named Radhu. After he was caught in her room, Shade was sent to the Holy Surgeon who used the Sacred Laser on his head. The Laser cured him of madness, and he was sent to be trained by a Changemaster named Wizor. Although, his true motives were not made clear, Wizor sent Shade on excursions to Earth. After years of training, Wizor sends Shade to Earth for an extended period using the body of Troy Grenzer. Shade's real body has been left in the Zone of Madness.

Meanwhile, Kathy George, still in possession of the two-dimensional Shade, has been apprehended by government agents Stringer and Connor. They observe her and watch as she walks through the portal. Kathy finds Shade in the Zone of Madness where his original body has been destroyed by the American Scream. With Kathy's help, Shade escapes. They return to Earth miles from where they started. The government agents are left puzzled by the two-dimensional doorway which crumbles to dust. With Shade's memory restored he is able to change his features and clothing, taking on a different appearance.