|
|
|
Moon Knight #1
Book Released: 05 April 2006
Review posted: 07 April 2006
Writer: Charlie Huston
Artist: David Finch
Publisher: Marvel Comics
3.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Adam White
|
|
I’ve always loved the concept for Moon Knight, and even have the entire run of the original series (the Moench/Sienkiewicz run being the highlight). However, Moon Knight is one of those great characters that Marvel just never seems to know what to do with, given that he has never made much of an impact. When I saw another new series on the horizon I had my doubts, especially considering it was written by another novelist recruit I had never heard of and an artist I knew for certain I didn’t like. I decided to give it a chance anyway, and here’s what I found out...
Charlie Huston knows his stuff. Huston also apparently respects Moon Knight as a character, because he gives MK his dues and then some. From page one, Huston grabs your attention and takes you for a ride, succinctly defining Moon Knight’s motivation while simultaneously giving you a tour inside the character’s mind and his actions on the street. The sparse narration fits the character well, and mirrors the fact that MK’s actions speak for him. Moon Knight is not Spider-Man, he’s not a team player — he does his own thing and takes out the human trash infesting his streets. Huston acknowledges MK’s past without letting it take over the book, easily balancing continuity with a fresh start. Huston’s story is powerful, gritty, and fresh enough to finally propel Moon Knight to Big-Time Player status in the Marvel Universe.
So, given my praise of the story, why only three stars? Quite frankly, because the art sucks. I have always hated David Finch’s art, and in Moon Knight it’s even worse because it ruins what could have been one of my favorite books this year. Finch produces flat, two-dimensional characters and static panels that make even the most dynamic action seem forced and stale. His characters pose instead of move, and his “style” just bores me. I honestly can’t think of any other words diplomatic enough to say here about the art, so let’s just say I don’t like it at all and leave it at that.
It really pains me that Moon Knight finally gets a decent story and direction yet gets stuck with such bad art. I know that message boards are full of people that tout David Finch as the next best thing to gravy, but I have yet to identify what’s wrong with those people so I guess it will remain a mystery. However, Huston writes a heck of a story, so hopefully Finch will fall behind and they’ll replace him so Moon Knight can shine as brightly as it deserves. Until then, I guess I’ll just have to hope for a script book. If you like Moon Knight, then definitely give this book a shot and see if you can get past the art, because Huston has a future in comics.
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
|
|
