Moon Knight # 1 Review

Doing a quick review for Moon Knight # 1 by Jeff Lemire, Greg Smallwood and Jordie Bellaire.

The issue’s a pretty straightforward narration of Spector’s current situation. Well actually it starts with a dream sequence featuring Khonsu.

Here’s the thing, if you’re expecting an introductory issue of Moon Knight, what he does, how he fights crime, his history; you’ll be sad that there won’t be any. Not if you don’t read between the lines that is.

I’m impressed with the pacing Lemire did with the first issue, its a slow drag yes, but its there for a reason. He wants us to commiserate with Spector’s situation. He wants us to really savor every moment so when that one glorious opportunity Moon Knight appears, its satisfying. Every punch he delivers to his tormentors is worth it.

And then we get to that spread towards the end…

The narrative messes with you, making you feel like you’re seeing what MK is seeing and that this is what he sees now. Only, a couple of vicious punches to Spector and he sees reality once more.

I like this storytelling approach. Making you second guess if Khonsu is real or not is interesting. Spector’s new “powers” are also something worth investing. Did he really see those things with the people he’s with or did he just imagine them?

The art by Greg Smallwood is the cherry on top. The dude can draw beautifully AND at the same time switch to a more “acid trippy” approach.  We might miss the last Moon Knight volume but Lemire’s has strapped us nicely for a new ride.

VERDICT: A