Writer - Charlie Huston
Pencils - David Finch
Publisher – Marvel
The character of Moon Knight has been around since 1975, and has had two previous ongoing titles and several miniseries. This latest return by self-described “Pulp Noir” novelist Charlie Huston and artist David Finch was originally planned as a miniseries, but is now (According to Huston’s own website www.pulpnoir.com) “reconceived as a monthly ongoing series”.
The hardest part, when writing an urban vigilante character, seems to be avoiding writing Batman with a different hat on. There are definite moments in this issue that seem to sail close to that. On the other hand, it could be that there’s been so much Batman over the last 10-15 years that anything in that vein is going to be reminiscent.
Finch’s art looks exactly the same as it did in New Avengers. Literally. His bearded Marc Spector looks like his bearded Sentry, for instance. On the other hand, the first double page spread is incredible, and there is a very impressive full-length shot of Moon Knight on page 11. It would be interesting to see the original pencils on this, or even to see Finch with a different inker and colourist. Not that their work is poor in any way (There are some excellent monochrome panels near the end, for instance), but there may be a clash. Also, the architecture in the urban scene at the start is wonderful.
On the whole, it doesn’t seem this will win Moon Knight many new fans. There’s not really enough there to grab you, and a lot of what could have been impressive just comes across as cliché. The history in voice-over. The hero at their lowest, abandoned and beaten. A first issue should impress more than this, should do more to win over the undecided. This seems to be playing to the crowd. If you’ve been waiting for a Moon Knight title, you may well like this. If not, then it seems unlikely.
Oh, and page 2, panel 2? Brachiate? It means “swing from one hold to the next, as of some arboreal apes and monkeys”.
So now you know.
Preview pages of the first issue can be found on the Marvel website
-
Russell Hillman was born in London but now lives in Coventry. His hobbies include precious little. He doesn’t get out much, but thinks reading a lot of comics makes up for it. He’s wrong.