Moon Knight #1
Writer: Charlie Huston
Artist: David Finch

Having never before read anything remotely Moon Knight-related, I was surprised to find myself knocked out by this issue. Charlie Huston expertly weaves this introductory story, clearly illustrating who Moon Knight is, why he’s cool, and why criminals should be terrified of him. But he also manages to spring a disturbing twist ending that makes the entire issue that much more satisfying. David Finch’s art is sensational, and the dark world of Moon Knight plays to his strengths much more than New Avengers ever did. A promising start.
A-

Wolverine #41
Writer: Stuart Moore
Artist: C.P. Smith

A solid stand-alone story before the new creative team takes over. Stuart Moore has Wolvie going to a war-torn, corrupt section of Africa with the hopes of saving the country’s only hope: the infant daughter of an overthrown and recently assassinated, honest political leader who wanted to bring peace to the region. Moore’s story is a breath of fresh air from the Wolvie-exploring-his-past stories of late, and he manages to build genuine danger in a matter of pages, with a wondrously cool ending to boot. C.P. Smith’s art is a cross between Jae Lee and Frank Miller, and the noir feel and dark colors add to the claustrophobic feel of the story. Bring these two back for more.
B+

Astonishing X-Men #14
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday

Joss Whedon continues to bring Astonishing back to the heights of the title’s first arc. Whedon tells a tension-filled story focusing on Emma Frost’s (possible) betrayal of the X-Men, and successfully goes into Grant Morrison territory by exploring just how scarred a character Cyclops really is. There’s nothing truly groundbreaking here, but it’s enthralling from beginning to end. Astonishing features some of the best superhero/soap-opera storytelling in comics right now.
A-

Savage Dragon #125
Writer/Artist: Erik Larsen

Extremely funny, experimental, and original, but with enough slam-bang action and danger to please those in need of a good superhero story, Savage Dragon #125 (clocking in at a whopping 64 pages, with no ads, and only $4.99!) is the perfect excuse to jump onboard and see what all the fuss is about. Dragon squares off against several baddies, all exceptionally weird, including the hysterical, Sol Rosenberg-esque, “Mister Bug.” But the real star is Larsen’s dialogue. It ranges from intentionally cornball (Dragon, mid-fight: “You want a shot…? Here’s a shot!”), to intelligent satire (bad guy Mister Glum, in a Sin City homage/parody: “The snow beats down on me like — I dunno — snow, I guess.”). While some of the material included is new, and some has been previously released, it somehow forms a compelling, cohesive whole. Excellent.
A+

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