Moon Knight (USA) di Bendis e Maleev

[Azrael]

The end is near. Moon Knight might be in over his head and the fact that this series is ending puts a lot at risk. Bendis and Maleev are preparing for Moon Knight's possible final act.
Does the fact that this series is ending mean something bad is coming Moon Knight's way?

The Good
In the beginning, it felt as if Moon Knight was dealing with just an average, almost small-time problem. Someone wanted to become the Kingpin of L.A. Sure that could lead to bad things but it was the fact that an Ultron head was thrown into the mix that shook things up a little. We were thrown for a bit of a loop when we discovered which other Avengers were and were not fighting along side Moon Knight.

Last issue, the story got pretty insane. Some of the developments were pretty drastic and there was a lot of stuff hitting the fan. Unfortunately the fact that this series is ending makes me wonder what that means for the character. It most likely doesn't mean anything. Bendis has stated that this was simply the end of the story he had to tell. But that distraction almost takes away from what's happening in this issue.

The great thing is seeing Moon Knight in action with his new fighting style. Last issue it felt as if he was going to completely cut loose but there is a little more reasoning going on here. This is what Moon Knight should be about. He has this big threat and gets in there and does whatever it takes to take care of it. He might not always use the best reasoning but it's seeing these sort of damaged heroes that adds varieties to the countless other superhero titles on the shelves. You definite have a feeling that anything can happen.

The Bad
I have a love/like relationship with Maleev's art. Most of the time I really dig it but there were times here I felt it fell a little. In a couple of the action scenes, it was a little difficult to tell if anyone was getting shot or stabbed or if they were managed to avoid harm.

Eleven issues in, I'm still unsure how I felt about Count Nefaria as the big villain. I can respect what he means in terms of power levels in the Marvel Universe. We'll have to see if he's out of the game or not. Nefaria isn't the villain here but I would have loved to see Moon Knight up against others not related to his character. There is some resolution in this issue which leaves me completely wondering what the next (and final) issue will have. Then again, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The Verdict
Last issue I was both angry and happy at what Bendis did to Moon Knight and his associates. This issue didn't pack quite the punch as the last. There is still plenty of great action involving Moon Knight and really makes you sad that we won't be seeing more of this in a couple months. Maleev's art captures the feel of the story but there were a couple moments I felt it fell a little. It's hard to say what's going to happen in the next issue. There's a lot riding on it and I have some pretty high expectations. Based on what Bendis and Maleev have been doing, there shoudn't be any doubt that they will end the series with an explosive finish.

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Da CVine

[Azrael]

Preview: MOON KNIGHT #12 (Ultimo Numero)

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[Azrael]

It's the final issue of Moon Knight. Yeah, that's a bummer but the real question is, what does this mean for Moon Knight? Bendis and Maleev bring an end to the series in style.
The moment Moon Knight fans have been dreading, the end of (yet another) series. Will this be a happy ending or not?

The Good
"All good things must come to an end." When it was announced that MOON KNIGHT was ending, it wasn't a huge surprise. Moon Knight has gone through several volumes but always comes back. Bendis mentioned that his story was coming to an end as planned but a small part of me started wondering if this wasn't just the end of the series but also the end for the character.

With Moon Knight making the move to L.A. and his mind becoming more fractured and fragile, he definitely got in over his head. Count Nefaria may not be the ideal supervillain to be featured in a comic but I can appreciated the enormity of the threat he poses. We're seeing how all the pieces fall together and what the outcome may mean for Moon Knight and the entire Marvel Universe.

Maleev delivers on the action scenes. If this is going to be the final issue, we deserve to see some spectacular action shots. Moon Knight versus Nefaria may not end quite the way you'd expect.

The Bad
I know 'hate' is a strong word but I do hate that this series is over. Should it have continued without Bendis and Maleev? Both have brought a certain level of consistency and creativity to the title. Bringing in a new creative team always comes with the risk of the book going in a bad direction.

Part of me wonders if everything here was as Bendis intended his story to end. Did he change or tweak anything knowing the series was coming to an end. We're seeing some characters die. Would that still have happened if the book was going to continue?

The resolution to the story and what it means was good but it seems Moon Knight should have brought in some help earlier. It did make perfect sense for Moon Knight to want to do things on his own but the entire Ultron/Nefaria story felt as if it went on a little too long.

The Verdict
I'll never understand why Moon Knight can't maintain an ongoing series. For long time readers, we've seen this moment numerous times. Moon Knight has had series end. He's even died before and returned. If anything, we can count on him returning once again. Bendis and Maleev took the character into a new direction. Moving him to L.A. gave him a new direction and they even made him crazier. Somewhere along the way it seems things went a little south. I never read any official statement on why the series ended, whether it was over sales or otherwise. Bendis did state that twelve issues is the length he intended his story to be. Whatever the case, it's unfortunate that the series has ended and there's one less comic I have to look forward to each month. The entire Utlron head/Count Nefaria storyline felt as if it went on a little too long but we do get some closure. We also get some pretty cool action to give Moon Knight the send off he deserves. I may not have loved every single bit of the series but Bendis and Maleev's issues will hold up as one of the top Moon Knight runs.

4 su 5

Da CVine