Iron Fist: The Living Weapon 6, Moon Knight 7

Sorry about the late post on this one, it was SUPPOSED to come yesterday at 2 PM but I GUESS that wasn't what Blogger wanted to do. And we all work on what Blogger wants to do.

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon 6

Things have gotten stranger and darker in New York as Brenda reveals herself again to be a little more than just a college student writing a report and as Li's police force is decimated by Davos, hoping once more to claim his birthright with the help of loyal monsters and the recently captured Pei and her newborn dragon baby, who is pretty adorable. Meanwhile, Iron Fist has been saved by a strange old man referred to as The Fooh and by his childhood friend Sparrow, now blind. Danny flashes back to his childhood with memories, real or dreams, of his father arriving in K'un Lun after his seeming death, rescued by the people of K'un Lun. It also turns into a flashback about Danny's mom having an affair with Harold Meachum which Danny found out about. Sparrow helps to refocus him and he decides that, even with his chi source gone and his iron fists diminished, he's ready to fight.

There's a lot of cool stuff happening here and some really interesting story telling, all helped by Andrews' great art (and check out that cover, it's real neat). It's also a pretty deep read and re-cast of Iron Fist's already remarkably dark origin. By the same token, I'm not sure I needed the affair with Meachum to cement my interest in these things. Affairs very rarely appeal to me and at this point they often seem cliche. I will say, in its defense, I think it's stronger here because Andrews has done such a good job to show that Danny's father had gone totally crazy and had disconnected from reality, even going so far as to have Danny's mother, in the throes of passion, say that she just wants Harold to make her feel something. So there's a little more of an emotional affair aspect going on but it still feels a little trite to me. Regardless, still a strong issue, check it out for a really neat little dragon, a fantastic cover, continued gorgeous art, and a compelling story. Can't do much better than that.

Total Score: 4/5


Moon Knight 7

A seemingly almost equally well-equipped ex-soldier has appeared on the scenes in New York targeting a visiting general who has committed some sort of crimes that the soldier has been privy to. Regardless, though, the general is a traveler in the night and therefore under Moon Knight's protection so a chase ensues throughout the city with Moon Knight eventually using his glider to stop the would-be assassin. He knocks the AWOL soldier out in time to answer the man's phone and learn that the woman behind the attempt is, in fact, Moon Knight's psychiatrist.

Though this is apparently the start of a continuing storyline, unlike the first six issues, Brian Wood goes to great lengths to make this issue read in the same way that Ellis and Shalvey's run read. There is a bit more dialogue as the soldier gives direction to his drone, which slows the issue a little but sets up the technology nicely, but Moon Knight acts and speaks in very much the same way he has throughout this volume, which is appreciated. Smallwood's art is very impressive, perhaps more expressive than Shalvey's (though I think I like Shalvey's style a bit more) and Bellaire's colors continue to be astonishing. The twist of Moon Knight's doctor being the benefactor of this assassination attempt is maybe one more twist than is necessary, but I'm still interested in learning more so it's certainly not enough to wave off. Strong first entry for the new creative team.

Total Score: 4/5