The Moon Is Following Us #1
Review
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: September 18, 2024
Page Count: 32
Format: Single-issue
The Moon is Following Us is a classic Daniel Warren Johnson comic but with plenty of fresh twists. Filled with fast-paced action and incredible-looking characters, this comic will take you on an emotional ride from start to finish.
The Moon Is Following Us #1
ReviewWriter: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: September 18, 2024
Page Count: 32
Format: Single-issue
The Moon is Following Us is a classic Daniel Warren Johnson comic but with plenty of fresh twists. Filled with fast-paced action and incredible-looking characters, this comic will take you on an emotional ride from start to finish.
Hot off the heels of winning Best Writer/Artist at this year’s Eisner Awards, Daniel Warren Johnson is continuing his hot streak with a new fantasy comic that could be his most imaginative series yet. But for this new adventure, he’s got fan-favorite artist Riley Rossmo along for the ride. With colorful heroes fighting hordes of dark creatures to save their precious daughter, there’s plenty to love in this fantastic first issue. After all, who doesn’t love an emotional rollercoaster written by DWJ? Whether you’re a longtime fan or just only getting into his style of comics, there are plenty of great surprises in this first issue that will hook you right into the story.
Keep on reading for my full review of The Moon is Following Us #1!
Overview of The Moon is Following Us #1
Sam and Duncan are on a mission to save their daughter, Penny. With the help of some magical allies, the two adventure and fight through a whimsical fantasy world filled with dark creatures known as the Cascade. Together, the team is on a race against time to save Penny from an unspeakable evil before she’s lost forever.
Image: Image Comics
Review
Have you ever read a comic that you just immediately connect with? That’s how I felt while reading The Moon is Following Us #1. Scene after scene, I remember just constantly checking off boxes in my head seeing things that I love in comics. Its imaginative setting blends elements of high fantasy with sci-fi, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli movies. The character designs are wonderfully unique with bright pops of color. The action is also incredibly fast-paced and kinetic. Then all those parts come together for a story that’s deeply heartfelt at its core. With so much flair put into the storytelling, The Moon is Following Us #1 is everything you expect from a Daniel Warren Johnson comic. Given the creator’s stellar accolades, that’s always the best thing you can hope for whenever he drops something new.
As much as readers adore DWJ for his writer/artist work, it’s been great seeing him collaborate with some incredible artists as of late. Riley Rossmo is an absolute rockstar in this new comic. His unique art style perfectly complements DWJ’s high-octane and emotionally charged storytelling. While the visuals are very vibrant thanks to the fantastic color work of Mike Spicer, the look of the world in The Moon is Following Us also has a very grungy and heavy metal feel to it. The contrast between the heroes’ bright costumes and the grotesque-looking creatures they fight makes the many exciting moments in the issue pop off the page. With so much life and wonder already at the beginning of this story, I’m excited to see what more this fascinating fantasy world has to offer.
Image: Image ComicsBut while the fantasy and world-building are top-notch, this first issue also beautifully lays the groundwork for an emotional story to unfold. Like I’ve said in my Transformers reviews, DWJ's biggest strengths as a creator are character development storytelling. As much as this comic will grab your attention with its fast-paced fantasy action, the final pages beautifully slow things down to show you what the story is really all about. I won’t say much more beyond that because it’s a great moment to look forward to and I don’t want to spoil any readers on it. Just know that we’re in for a much more emotional ride than the comic lets on at first. There’s plenty to love here already, and it’s only just getting started.
Image: Image Comics
Final Thoughts
Right from the jump The Moon is Following Us wastes no time transporting you to a fantasy world unlike any other. It’s a comic that fans of Daniel Warren Johnson will love. It has plenty of the hallmarks that make him a fan-favorite creator, from the fast-paced action to the deeply emotional story at the heart of it all. Artist Riley Rossmo dazzles by bringing to life a bright and strange fantasy world that blends a little bit of science fiction to make it feel very unique. After its fantastic cliffhanger ending, I’m hooked on seeing where this adventure goes next. It’s without a doubt one of the most promising new comics I’ve read this year.
Why You Should Read The Moon is Following Us
- Fans of Daniel Warren Johnson will be excited to see his unique take on high fantasy.
- Riley Rossmo brings to life an imaginative world filled with strange monsters and unique-looking characters.
- The comic’s big twist sets up an emotional story to unfold.