Compleat Moonshadow

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting, inspiring-one of my favorite works of literature
Review: In case anyone had any doubts that the graphic novel can not only compete with, but transcend, mere words, "Moonshadow" puts them to rest. At is heart, this is a simple tale of a boy growing up on the "journey to awakening" that we all take in one form or another. But because it is set agains the backdrop of the entire univese and populated with characters absurd enough to belong in "Catch-22" and deep enough to have sprung from Dickens, the reader is easily fooled and entranced into a story grander and more exciting than any "space opera" that ever hit the big screen. J.M. DeMatteis truly has a gift for language - his words are both poetic and real. "Moonshadow" is a collaboration, however, and DeMatteis's words are never any more, or less, important than Jon Muth's painted images, which go way beyond suggesting simple action and instead draw the reader in to the complex reality that is Moonshadow, our narrator,'s world. Read it not just to see the artistic power of the confluence of words and images, but to feel the anguish and the joys of coming of age in a way only a story too absurd, and yet too real, to be true can depict. I give Moonshadow more than my highest recommendation - I give my pledge that no open-minded person can help but be entranced by it (and if you think I'm wrong, I'd LOVE to hear from you).

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Book in Existence
Review: Moonshadow is the best thing I have ever read, comic book or non. The impression some people get that "comic books are for kids" just means that the idiots who believe that are missing out on a truly amazing story of one boy's "journey to awakening." John Marc Dematteis is one of the best writers of any sort I have ever encountered, the characters he works with having amazing depth and me feeling sympathy in abundance for them. The art as well is astounding, and it does go to help build the mood of the story greatly. This is quite simply the best thing anybody could ever hope to read, in my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Book in Existence
Review: Moonshadow is the best thing I have ever read, comic book or non. The impression some people get that "comic books are for kids" just means that the idiots who believe that are missing out on a truly amazing story of one boy's "journey to awakening." John Marc Dematteis is one of the best writers of any sort I have ever encountered, the characters he works with having amazing depth and me feeling sympathy in abundance for them. The art as well is astounding, and it does go to help build the mood of the story greatly. This is quite simply the best thing anybody could ever hope to read, in my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: Compleat Indeed!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Compleat Indeed!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Cannot recommend it too highly
Review: One of the best examples of pure storytelling around. Even if you don't typically read comic books, I urge you to try this one out. Muth's watercolors are exquisite and add appropriate touches of light and dark to the story. DeMatteis's prose is admittedly elaborate and long-winded, though the joy in which he tells the story of Moonshadow, a teenage boy who is drawn into fantastical intergalactic adventures, saves it from ever being heavy-handed. The characters are sweet and likeable, and DeMatteis elevates caprice to a near-spiritual level. I can't really think of any other book to compare it with; I can only say that I haven't experienced so much delight reading a book in years. The epilogue had me in tears, but the story and pictures were so wonderful that I know I shouldn't miss Moonshadow, as I can read his story again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Muth's best
Review: The first thing is Muth's delicate, expressive watercolors. Even if you look at nothing else, this is a wonderful, sustained effort in visual story-telling. It tracks Moonshadow, the hero, from before his birth into his old age and death. The style perfectly captures sensuality, fear, and the sense of the bizarre.

The second is the story. It's baffling, by design, a product of hippie culture and the whims of whimsical and omnipotent beings. That really captures a lot of a kid's experience - with all-powerful adults acting in incomprehnsible ways. It has more, though: coming of age, destroying any romance there might be around war, and loving (and being loved by) people who aren't very lovable.

This book is thin, but includes over 400 pages of generally good color printing. The original 1980s comics are all here. So, unfortunately, is a 1997 accretion. It's a newer addition to the Moonshadow canon, also, illustrated by Muth. This add-on relies more on text than on illustration, and is painted in a rougher and more garish style. After the nuance and control of the original story, it's a let-down.

Anyone who like comic art should check into this. Anyone who likes good storytelling, where will is pitted against a universe with a sick sense of humor, should like it too. It's a true classic.

//wiredweird

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Tale
Review: This is a true work of art - and also greatly entertaining.
The art is amazing, as you can tell from the very cover. Absolutely dream-like and beautiful at all times.
The writing is exceptional: we're talking about a fable that contains elements from all its greatest predecessors while telling a very moving and original story.
Ambitious? Yes, it is. Does it deliver? You bet.

Rating:
Summary: This book was insane
Review: To put it bluntly, I found this book slow moving and boring. I don't have the trade paperback, but the 12 arc series. I found the sexual references out of place and pointlessly sickening, and the characters difficult to understand. THe names were childish enough, but the storyline was destationless and impossible. I wouldn't advise anybody to buy this. Yeah, it's imaginative and yes the watercolour plates are interesting enough, but the storyline needs complete help. As a comic collector, I'd recommend the Mandrake/Ostrander Spectre series from the late 90's for a real adventure.