Moonshadow by John Marc DeMatteis (.CBR)

Ojay · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:46 pm

Moonshadow by J. M. DeMatteis, Jon J. Muth, Kent Williams and George Pratt.
Requirements: CBR Reader, 91 MB.
Overview: One of the most ground-breaking and literate comic series of all-time, showcasing the very best in modern storytelling and painted artwork. This adult fairy tale is a work that evokes comparison with Lewis Carroll & William Blake. Born in an intergalactic zoo and raised on the romantic works of Byron and Shelley, Moonshadow is suddenly kicked out of his home at the age of fourteen into an uncaring cosmos. He embarks on a journey which takes him not only to different planets, but also to the farthest reaches of the human heart. Contains adult themes and (soft) nudity.

Moonshadow

John Marc DeMatteis

Jon J Muth, George Pratt, Kent Williams

Keith Nowlan

Archie Goodwin

Epics Comics, 1985-1987

DC/Vertigo, 1994

Plot

The story takes the form of an eclectic and quirky fairy tale with satirical elements and dealing with philosophical concerns. It is told via the framing device of Moonshadow, now 120, looking back on his earlier life. The action concerns the events leading up to the "awakening" of Moonshadow, the child of a hippy mother and a enigmatic alien father. The alien, who resembles a glowing orb of light bearing a stylized human face, abducted Moonshadow's mother from Earth in 1968 along with her black pet cat, Frodo (a reference to the Tolkien character of the same name). When the idealistic and naive Moonshadow is orphaned at approximately age 15, he becomes friends with a venal and opportunistic furry humanoid named Ira. Moonshadow and Ira and Frodo the cat set out to find a life for themselves in the stars.
Moonshadow loses his innocence, but eventually makes peace with the world and reconciles himself to the actions of his seemingly capricious alien father.

Moonshadow:

The End of Moonshadow Reviewed by Pandamar

This is going to sound absurd, but the conclusion of the maxiseries had me in tears. I have know idea why either because the ending is cryptic and ambiguous. The entire run is fantastic and should be as acclaimed as Watchmen or The Dark Knight Returns, but unfortunately not many people have heard about it. I can't think of to many comics that have praise from Kurt Vonnegut and Ray Bradbury in the letter page. This is a must read and is in my opinion the greatest comic book ever.

Compleat Indeed!, Reviewed By G. Jensen "Belarius"

My first experience with Moonshadow was some years ago, when a comic-adhesive friend of mine (to say he collected them would be an understatement - he seemed rather to magnetically draw them to his person) found the solitary first issue of Moonshadow in a bulk buy of his. We were both instantly fascinated with the caprice of the Gi'Doses, the wild characterization, and the whimsical tone. At the time (long before graphic novels of any kind were commonplace in our experience), we languished that this, like so many other series we had encountered piecemeal, would probably never be assembled into a single storyfor our enjoyment, and we would never learn what became of the story. Imagine my joy when, only recently, I stumbled upon the Compleat Moonshadow in a local bookstore. Gritting my teeth, I shelled out the dough, drove home, and read the entire story in one sitting. Bleary-eyed, I sent a message to my friend (the one above), informing him of the excellence of the series. A few notes of actual detail: the art is spectacular, a watercolor spread consistent in its ability to create forms carrying significant meaning even when 'abstract.' The narrative, as silly as it is serious, presents the reader with names and places so wacky they allow a childhood sentimentality, even while covering such mature topics as sexual innocence, the horror of war, and the evils of greed. Finally, the writing is, shall we say, large but no overwritten. It may tax the vocabulary of some readers on occasion (something I like, but know is not everyone's favorite), but it expresses complex ideas with as few words as possible (indeed - few words are rarely enough to cover such themes!) Overall, a touching and heartfelt story that ranks very high on my experience of comics, graphic novels, and other pictoral mediums.

Note: Read also:

Abadazad

Moonshadow

The Stardust Kid