History Main / CastingAShadow

Unlike its polar opposite {{Light|EmUp}}, darkness is one of the more abstract elemental forces due to the fact that it's defined by an absence of something else, in this case light. This inversion makes it a rather more mysterious and mystical power, sometimes bordering on eldritch due to its paradoxical nature. Its image is not helped much by darkness also being a PrimalFear for humans.

Whereas darkness as an element is frequently portrayed as acting nigh-identically to its polar opposite, {{Light|EmUp}}, with characters "projecting" darkness as one would light, the shadow element is usually focused on creating things-- typically corrupted or imperfect copies of something else, or intangible illusions. Characters are also sometimes able to [[ShadowWalker use shadows to teleport]]. Either form is often used in systems that allow the combining of abilities to create "dark" versions of other powers by combining Casting a Shadow with other ElementalPowers or other power sets.

Darkness is arguably the most unique element in existence (though it's also arguably the most abundant thing in existence) and thus one of the most eldritch forces of nature one can warp. This actually makes sense, given you're bending a PrimalFear that is literally nothing more than the absence of light.

* ''WesternAnimation/DoubleDragon1993'': Shadow Khan uses the Black Flame. His attacks are darkness-based and fueled by death, fear, hate, etc., and he can create or imbue minions which darkness as well.

* ''Series/HeroesReborn2015'' gives us [[TheCutie Phoebe Frady]]. She could originally [[LivingShadow animate shadows (most notably her own)]], darken a room (even unintentionally damaging light bulbs when angry), and concentrate darkness into a ball of black energy. All complete with [[GlowingEyes her eyes glowing purple]]. After an...[[spoiler:[[ColdBloodedTorture interesting]] [[CorrupttheCutie interview]]]], she becomes [[TheDreaded ''The]] [[NamestoRunAwayFromReallyFast Shadow'']], powerful enough to bind her enemies, [[spoiler:send shadowy tendrils down their throats to apparently mutilate their internal organs]], and even [[spoiler:[[PowerNullifier shut off other superpowers]] by causing a solar eclipse]]...[[DishingOutDirt somehow]]. This time when her eyes glow, [[spoiler:[[GlowingEyesofDoom it's not quite as appealing]]]]. Because umbrakinesis rarely ever appears in live-action media, she gives us pretty much the most versatile example thus far (at least in the West).

* In ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'', BlackMagic is used to create and manipulate shadows and darkness. It most notably by
** Shadow Weaver, who uses to manipulate shadows, including her own, to form multiple shadows, black tentacles to ensnare her enemies, and living Shadow spies.
** Micah, who becomes fond of it after being [[BrainwashedAndCrazy chipped]] by Horde Prime. Like Shadow Weaver, he is seen using it to manipulate his own shadow to form black tendrils to ensnare his enemies. He is also seen using it to form a swirling mass of darkness.

* ''Webcomic/ZeroGame'': Elliot Baek, one of the [[BadPowersBadPeople antagonists]], is an uncommon example. As the wielder of the [[SuperpowerLottery SSS-rank]] ability "Shadow", he is able to control ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin in various ways, such as creating shadow shields and most commonly summoning [[LivingShadow towering entities made of shadow]] to do his bidding. The subversion comes from the fact that most wielders of such powers have them overlap with [[DarknessEqualsDeath darkness in general]] and are as such WeakenedByTheLight and associated with the night, Elliot controls specifically '''shadows''', which means that his ability ironically '''only''' works [[DaylightHorror during the day]]. At night, when there is no light to cast a shadow, Elliot's ability is -- in the words of his brother Alex -- "[[BroughtDownToNormal essentially 'Nothing']]." [[spoiler:Later subverted as it turns out he carries items to create lights at night, bypassing this weakness.]]

* ''WebOriginal/{{Mortasheen}}'''s [[http://www.bogleech.com/mortasheen/jabbersnatch.htm Jabbersnatch]] uses a low-level version of this, being able to absorb all light in its vicinity to turn itself into a solid black Sillouette. It uses this power to be a [[ThingsThatGoBumpInTheNight highly effective boogeyman]].

* ''[[https://www.deviantart.com/dragonoficeandfire/art/Destiny-Intertwined-First-Cover-903925600 Destiny Intertwined]]'': The main character, Hayze, is a shadow dragon, and has a link to the artificial element of darkness comparable to other dragons' attunements to the natural elements. He primarily demonstrates the ability to move quickly by transforming himself into a patch of darkness; later, during [[spoiler:a sparring session with a young Malefor]], he also uses a BreathWeapon consisting of a cloud of choking, smoky shadows.