Comics
Review: ‘Moon Knight’ #1
An action-packed thriller, “Moon Knight” #1 delivers top-notch writing and stylish artwork to reinvigorate a hero that has had a tough time in the past. This is a clever and wicked take on the costumed vigilante genre, and it’s exactly what Moon Knight deserves. An awesome team-up, writer Warren Ellis and artist Declan Shalvey have done something bold, fresh, and new with the “Moon Knight series.
WRITTEN BY: Warren Ellis
ART BY: Declan Shalvey
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: March 5, 2014
Far away from home, on a mission in Egypt, mercenary assassin Marc Spector was killed in action. Using his last breath, Marc crawled his way to the statue of an ancient deity, known as Khonshu. The moon god brought Marc back from the dead, quite possibly against his will. In order to seek redemption, Marc wears a white costume and prowls the gritty streets, searching for crime. But who is really dangerous between the two, The Slasher or the insane psychopath wearing a mask, known as Moon Knight?
Writer Warren Ellis brings in tons of creative ideas to create a moody and atmospheric thriller. Making great use of the New York setting, Ellis captures a dark and grim city lost in its own madness. In the opening pages, Ellis makes the reader feel like they are reading a private eye, noir story. I personally love how the supporting cast of characters refer to Marc Spector as “Mr. Knight.” Just like in the private eye novels from Philip Marlowe, there is animosity between the police and the lone wolf brought in to solve the case.
Using hi-tech gadgetry, Ellis is able to show the resourcefulness and loneliness of Spector’s vigilante lifestyle. As Moon Knight, Marc is able to move around in the city just by his limousine. It actually looks like his limousine is his sanctuary, his only home. There is no driver, no human companion behind the steering wheel of the limousine. There is nobody around and Moon Knight can only depend on himself.
Artist Declan Shalvey captures a slick and trendy look to Moon Knight’s character design. Instead of a cape and cowl, Moon Knight is wearing a business suit, with a matching shirt and tie. To showcase Marc’s brash personality, this isn’t about bringing classiness, but more about showing off. The color art from Jordie Bellaire highlights the white tones of Moon Knight’s costume and limousine. Because of Bellaire’s colors, everything seams into the background, while the whiteness is front and center.
One of my favorite illustrations from Shalvey is when Moon Knight travels deep into the sewers during his investigation. In a splash page, Moon Knight takes the ladder down through three levels. In one complete shot, Moon Knight passes through the subways, then the homeless crowd, and finally reaches the Slasher’s hideout. In an interesting metaphor, the deeper Moon Knight goes down into the tunnels, the more delusional and paranoid he becomes.
With Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey at the helm, there was no doubt that “Moon Knight” #1 would be a quality read. This is a great way to start off the new “Moon Knight” series and I cannot wait for more.
4.5/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – Jorge Solis
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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