Moon Knight #189

Writer: Max Bemis
Artist: Jacen Burrows, Guillermo Ortego

Before Reading:

Issue one of this run brought us the reveal of a brand new villain: Amon Ra or the Sun King. Bemis has stated that he basically wants to create Moon Knight's version of  "The Joker" and for a starting issue, he is already beginning to establish that. There was no Marc Spector to be found in the first issue of this series. However, it was a really good issue and got readers excited to see where this series plans to go. I am excited to see what this next issue has in store. I hope that we get to see Bemis' version of Spector here.

During Reading:

The book opens with a terrifying scene in which a civilian is possessed by an unknown entity and starts talking all kinds of crazy. From there we are introduced to Marc Spector as he is literally kicking faces in as Moon Knight. The issue with Spector's parts are narrated by Khonshu (the moon god possessing him) and Khonshu fills us in on all the details of who Moon Knight/Spector is.

As the issue progresses, we are introduced to the unknown entity from the beginning of the book. A new villain with a crazy power that laying waste to the citizens about town. An intense confrontation ensues and we really see the craziness in this book ramp up. While all of this is taking place we are sent on a little journey with Amon Ra who is moving about town doing villain things and is apparently seeking an unknown someone to which he uses street knowledge to find. This one ends on a pretty big reveal that should intrigue readers going into the next issue.

After Reading:

This title is already becoming one of my favorite titles to come out of the new Marvel (eh... kind of relaunch?) initiative. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and it had a lot of really great moments. There were moments of levity and humor sprinkled throughout all the horror and creepy stuff and that makes this book really stand out from others. I wondered how this new creative team would follow the Lemire and Smallwood run, but they are really bringing their A-game in this one.

The Art by Jacen Burrows and Guillermo Ortego is excellent. Burrows covers the first half of the book would Ortega drawing the second half. Both artists have a similar style with some minor differences. Both artists show their mettle with some great fight scenes and Ortego's shadow work in the second half is quite striking.

At two issues in Moon Knight is already shaping up to be one of the better titles on the shelf. If you are not already reading this one I highly recommend you go pick it up because it is already shaping up to be a classic just like the last run.

9.5/10

Kicking face!