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
‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics
Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.
Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.
In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”
The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”
Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”
“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.
Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”
Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.
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Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover
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Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)
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Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)
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Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)
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Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)
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Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)
Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
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