Moon Knight: City Of The Dead #3 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD No. 3, November 2023

Whilst few fans of Marc Spector’s cowl-wearing alter-ego will surely disagree with "Marvel Worldwide" that “the First of Khonsu brings the fireworks in this action-packed new chapter”, it is similarly difficult to believe many followed the comic’s word-heavy storytelling without needing to reread certain panels, pages and even entire set-pieces. Furthermore, the executive decision to have Sean Damien Hill ‘step in’ as penciler doesn’t debatably do the publication any favours either, with the Alexandria-born illustrator’s style seemingly struggling to convey much of eye-catching spectacle needed for a story set in the Egyptian City of the Dead.

Indeed, despite the American artist doing a stellar job of imbuing Moon Knight’s dastardly brother with all the dynamic villainy a bibliophile might expect from a despot bitterly twisted by his ghastly demise in the real world – including being able to instantaneously summon a veritable army of green-hued ghostly minions, the “character designer” frustratingly draws Ammut the Devourer as simply an unimpressive-looking crocodile with a mane of dark green hair. This lack of deity-like detail for the giant Sphinx arguably fails to sell much of the demon-beast’s menace, especially when the creature’s surprisingly thin, somewhat floundering figure is repeatedly sketched up against a boring, disappointingly bare background.

Perhaps what makes this mini-series’ instalment most disheartening though is David Pepose’s decision to populate every situation with numerous thought-boxes containing Spector’s plans, feelings and the history of whoever the costumed crime-fighter is currently confronting. Ordinarily, this technique would probably have landed rather well. But because the smart-mouthed vigilante, as well as the rest of the cast, are also all persistently talking and hurling wisecracks, it soon becomes frustratingly unclear as to which balloon or bubble the audience needs to read so as to follow the correct flow of the action; “Because if there’s one thing I’m good at… It’s coming up with bad ideas.”

Despite all these criticisms and complaints however, there is still plenty to enjoy with the former “Newsrama” editor’s penmanship. The way Spector and his beloved Layla El-Faouly outwit the Jackal Night’s numerous henchmen is quite convincing, as is the revelation that everything is going sour within the City of the Dead because Osiris has decided to once again pay a visit to the Land of the Living. Indeed, even the schizophrenic entrepreneur’s sacrifice at the end of the comic makes perfect sense as a last gamble to ensure his mission is an overall a success. Yet sadly, much of the book’s impact is ultimately lost through the aforementioned gripes and groans.

Writer: David Pepose, Penciler: Sean Damien Hill, and Inker: Jay Leisten

Dune: House Corrino #8 - BOOM! Studios

DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO No. 8, November 2024

Considering the sheer speed with which events are concluded inside this final issue of “Dune: House Corrino”, many a fan of Frank Herbert’s “feudal interstellar society” must have felt its Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon probably regretted the decision to cram this comic book adaptation into just eight instalments. Indeed, by the time the thirty-three page periodical draws to an end after a cataclysmic carousel of captures, treacherous murders and nuclear-powered stand-offs, a good percentage of the audience will have already forgotten poor C’Tair Pilru’s noble sacrifice during this publication’s blood-drenched opening; “You served Ix valiantly… I only pray that the Guild heard you.”

Perhaps this tome’s biggest achievement however, is not in how tightly its collaborative writing team close their fists around all the numerous plot threads they previously had dangling throughout this mini-series. But that they still somehow manage to also include an impressive surprise concerning Piter De Vries, following the dastardly Mentat’s ill-fated brush with the formidable Bene Gesserit, Gaius Helen Mohiam. Those bibliophiles familiar with Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s servant, will know well the part he has to play in this science fiction franchise’s future narrative. So for the likes of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson to unexpectedly pull the rug out from under their feet is tremendously well done.

Likewise, the way the authors manage to imbue the Padishah Emperor will much of the impotence later seen in the “Analog” magazine serials is impressive. Shaddam IV has appeared throughout this title as a vindictive power-seeker, who despite being “the hereditary ruler of the Imperium” continues to crave more control over his subject’s affairs and wealth. In this comic, all that momentum is skilfully stripped away from him with a single misstep, and arguably leaves the conceited ruler semi-broken, as well as in the debt of the truly all-powerful Spacing Guild.

Sadly, what doesn’t really ring true for this book are some of the pencilled panels by Andrea Scalmazzi, whose rather wooden, stiff-looking figures occasionally detract from what should be a mesmerising battle scene or incredibly tense moment of high drama. This lack of dynamic drawing is particularly noticeable when the Emperor angrily confronts the Spacing Guild over their refusal to allow him to attack the Harkonnen Headquarters on Carthag, and wipe it from the face of Arrakis. Apart from Shaddam IV’s face contorting with visible anger, there’s no atmosphere to the deadly confrontation, and in fact the penciller repeatedly pulls any onlooker away from the grim stand-off by simply sketching exterior shots of the spaceships within which the main players reside.

Written by: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and Illustrated by Andrea Scalmazzi