Moon Knight #05

by King on August 30, 2014

Moon Knight #05 Main Image
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Declan Shalvey
Colorist: Jordie Diane Bellaire
Publisher: Marvel

This is honestly probably the best single issue comic I've read all year. It hits on SO many points well, and it delivers on Moon Knight doing what Moon Knight does best: sweet, sweet, vigilante justice. For fans of action movies, ESPECIALLY 'The Raid,' this is the comic for you. The action starts then doesn't stop, and there's even a fleeting moment of emotion as the chapter comes to a close.

One point that comes up with the greatest frequency when discussing Moon Knight is, "Wait, isn't he just rip-off Batman?" No. Batman has a plan, works from the shadows, and operates with a certain level of tact and discretion. Moon Knight will literally walk through your front door and dismantle your operation if he so feels the need/want; and that's exactly why this chapter is so badass. It's simple, violent, vigilante justice at its best. Much of the Warren Ellis run of Moon Knight is built upon the premise of Moon Knight dealing with "strange crime," and interestingly enough, this is probably the most down to Earth of the issues within this run yet -- even if someone were to pick this issue up as the first copy of Moon Knight they'd ever seen, they would be able to hop onboard, understand the character has a mission and is deadset on accomplishing it, and be hooked into reading more from there. 
 
This chapter is also relatively sparse when it comes to dialogue, with a heavier focus on the action and mission, redirecting the spotlight away from Ellis and lending it more towards Shalvey, who delivers yet another magnificently kinetic issue of Moon Knight that makes you feel every blow as it's being delivered. Shalvey's attention to detail is also incredible in intricately detailing the most minute of aspects (i.e.: how Moon Knight's suit bunches up) without going too overboard, as some comic book artists oft do when depicting heroes.
 
At its core, it's a pretty damn straightforward story to boot: get in, get the girl, get out. Our hero infiltrates an apartment complex to rescue a kidnapped girl, and does so in a manner that puts most modern action heroes to shame. I have utterly no issues with this chapter, other than by the end I was left wanting more, or at least wanting to see more fight scenes. 

Our Score:

10/10

A Look Inside