The Moon Is Following Us #1 Review: Opening the Book on a Stunning Fantasy

As a gamer who’s been through countless adventures, both digital and comic-book style, I can confidently say that The Moon is Following Us #1 has left quite an impression. The art by Riley Rossmo is breathtakingly beautiful, reminding me of those moments in my favorite RPGs when I stumble upon a stunning landscape or encounter a unique creature.


The Moon Seems to Chase Us

The main characters in this story are Sam and Duncan, the loving parents of Penny, whose life is at stake amidst a conflict involving intelligent frog-people and a shady succubus dealing in advanced black market tech. While both Sam and Duncan prioritize Penny’s welfare, their approaches diverge significantly. Sam appears ready to make any sacrifice, no matter the personal cost to herself, Duncan, or even their moral integrity, to save Penny. Duncan, on the other hand, is preoccupied with the potential consequences of rescuing Penny, questioning if it’s worth saving her only to leave them both emotionally scarred and faced with a questionable future.

In this portrayal, Sam appears to embody overly stereotypical female emotions while Duncan embodies traditional male rationality, but it’s interesting that these roles are reversed in a way. Sam is depicted as assertive and capable, fueled by her emotions, whereas Duncan, despite his logical approach, can sometimes stumble due to his self-doubt. Despite the potential gender bias, the dynamic between them drives the storyline of this initial issue, providing readers with an engaging foundation before delving into the broader narrative.

In addition to that, it’s worth noting that Johnson and Rossmo are collaborating on this series. While Johnson has a long list of critically-acclaimed series that he both wrote and illustrated, his version might have been a raw, heavy metal-influenced story. However, Rossmo’s style with its more fluid lines brings out the dreamlike aspect of the setting. The quieter moments are more subdued, and the characters’ emotions, particularly their sadness, appear more insidious and poignant.

Despite being ranked lower, “The Moon is Following Us” #1 still stands out from the crowd. Traditional genre norms are challenged in unexpected ways, such as when a mystical artifact calls forth a helicopter for rescue or a frog reminiscent of The Wind in the Willows appears in a VW Beetle armed with a gun. It appears that Johnson and Rossmo are allowing their creative minds to soar without bounds on this project, resulting in an issue that brims with palpable energy.

As a gamer, here’s my take on paraphrasing your text:

Published by Image Comics

On September 18th, 2024

Written by Darren Warren Johnson

Art by Riley Rossmo

Colors by Mike Spicer

Letters by Shawn Lee

Cover by Riley Rossmo

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2024-09-18 18:09