"The Bottom: Chapter One 'The Fun Stuff'"
Writer: Charlie Huston
Artists: David Finch (p), Danny Miki (i), Frank d'Armata (c)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Plot: In the slums of New York, Moon Knight fights against the common thugs running through the city. As he continues his vigil, he reflects on his life and its gifts. However, events leave Khonshu's knight in a situation of despair, which he must rise from.
Commentary: Now, anyone who knows my taste in comics knows that I despise Marvel Comics. I find the constant ressurections, crossovers, and alternate versions of characters completely distracting and confusing, and there isn't really much of an impact in the "big events" the company puts out. Don't get me wrong, I respect the creators, but I can just not get into Marvel. That being said, Moon Knight is an exception for me. I fell in love with the visual design of the character, and then looked him up. The idea of a religious hero with mental problems hooked me instantly. This was character depth. So, when word got out of a new Moon Knight series, I was in.
Man, was I disapointed.
A giant problem with this title is that Marvel had already previewed half of the first issue. Yes, eleven pages were already up and available for free. I honestly don't think that readers will spend three dollars on an issue that only has half its page count unread.
When it comes to the story itself, there are some pluses. Charlie Huston gets the character of Moon Knight. A running internal monologue provides a definitive voice for the character that hints at the established history of Moon Knight. In quite possibly the best bit of the writing, Huston satires the roles and locals of the other Marvel heroes. It's a great little bit of self-deprication that will make you chuckle and read on.
However, the biggest problem comes from the story, or the lack of one. Eleven pages are really just Moon Knight fighting countless thugs over and over. The other pages show Marc Spector (the alterego of the titular character) with his apparently ex supporting cast and dealing with the fallout of a life shattering incident. Only, there isn't any insight on what exactly happened. We get no origin story, no real introduction to the characters, and no insight to what happened. Just a couple fights, and Spector hitting rock bottom. There is really no introduction to the plot other then the last page, which is beyond vague.
However, when it comes to the art, the issue presents A-list skill that will blow you away. David Finch is incredible. From the remarkably detailed backgrounds, to a Moon Knight who actually looks threatening, Finch nails it with every panel. The final shot of a statue of Khonshu is beyond brilliant. Not only that, but the coloring is incredible. I haven't seen colors this vivid and exciting since Captain America. This, my friends, is a masterful art team. This is the best.
Final Thoughts: "But please, let me be a hero again." It's great to see Moon Knight back in publication, but this just doesn't work. The lack of an introduction to the character, as well as the lack of a central plot leaves a lot missing. However, Finch's art more then makes up for it. Still, I recommend this only for the most devout fans of the character. I'll stick around another issue, but I have my doubts over the quality of it.
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