It’s not a secret that I love Daniel Warren Johnson’s work. I mean, I’ve got the guy’s wrestling stickers on my water bottle! Having been said, something about his work from Extremity to Transformers that has always stood out is how he blends amazing action scenes with some of the most touching human stories in comics today.
I am happy to report that Johnson’s new 10 issue series “The Moon is Following Us” delivers a knock-out first issue that has all the ingredients that have made their previous work fantastic reads.
The best elevator pitch for this series is a simple math formula: Saga + Heavy Metal + Inception = The Moon is Following Us. It’s a sci-fi/ fantasy epic that is grounded by San and Duncan LeMarr, a mother and a father. Fighting to save their child from… well, I can’t give that part away just yet, but know that the end left a lump in my throat and a burning desire to read the next nine issues immediately.
Johnson brings his heartfelt and highly imaginative writing to this series. If you have been enjoying his writing on the current “Transformers” series (which is just awesome if you haven’t, pick up the trade and see what you have been missing out on!) you will find the same large sci-fi backdrop mixed with Johnson’s deeply human characters. The book drops you into the thick of things, but a true credit to Johnson’s writing is that never once did I feel lost or not know what was happening. I know I already compared it to “Saga”, but much like how chapter one of that series drops you into it, by the middle of the book you will know everything you need to understand the world created here.
Joining Johnson is Riley Rossmo on art. You might know Rossmo from their work on “Harley Quinn”, “Proof”, or “Cowboy Ninja Viking”. If you are a newcomer to Rossmo’s work, this title is the perfect highlight of what I enjoy about their style. Their linework flows in this incredibly unique way that I find difficult to describe other than it is extremely kinetic. This book has shades of Jack Kirby in the design of the characters and world and that suits Rossmo’s originality in how they craft the look and feel of this world. Mike Spicer colors Rossmo’s work that gives a texture to everything and a feeling of this lived-in, Star Wars-like, environment. Letterer Shawn Lee makes sure to use his craft so that you are just as hooked on what you are reading as you are hooked into the insane world that is displayed on the page.
If you like the current “Transformers” run, you need to read this book. Seriously, it’s just as good (in fact, I think it is better) than what Johnson has been doing with the Autobots.
If you like “Saga’ and are looking for a new series to scratch that itch, check this book out this week.
If you want an end reveal that will make you want to re-read the issue again, read this book.
This is a fantastic first issue where everyone is putting their A-game front and center. I know I’ll be following Johnson to this title and wherever else he lands going forward!
Save the world, read comics!
Tripper
P.S. Don’t forget, if you have been enjoying all the previous Lighthouse Picks (and, let’s be real, you have been) make sure to check out the new Lighthouse Keeper subscription. At the end of every month, you give us $20 (plus tax) for the next month’s Lighthouse books. That means that every week of the month you paid for, you’ll get a copy of whatever that week’s Lighthouse pick is. It’ll be set aside for you and already paid for, ready for you to pick up and read. The really cool part is that each month you will get one additional, totally free book. It’ll be whatever didn’t quite make the cut for Lighthouse, essentially our fifth Lighthouse pick of the month. The first month is for DC All In, so if you are already wanting to check out what DC has this October, this is a great way to get the best of the best AND save a little money!
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