In Moon Man #2, we see Ramon testing the limits of his newly acquired abilities as he comes to understand what’s going on with him. The astronauts, along with Ramon, return to Janus for more tests and to review what happened during their mission, all while the world begins reacting to the news of a real-life superhero and what that means for everyone else.
The second chapter of Scott Mescudi’s debut series not only builds on the first issue but pushes it further. Whether it’s continuing the theme of utilizing your power for the good of the many or pushing the art and colors of the series to the limit (in the best way possible), the Moon Man creative team knows what they’re doing.
The character of Ramon feels even more realized as an everyman wanting to do good. An interesting thing to note is his desire for a moment to breathe, having gone to space and dealt with something he and his fellow astronauts didn’t know how to comprehend. It’s safe to say that Ramon currently has a lot on his plate.
There’s no doubt that the art of Marco Locati will be talked about for years to come. It’s psychedelic and otherworldly with hints of Lovecraftian horrors right on the edge. Everything feels highly stylized and real while seeming ready to break, almost like a video game signaling breakable objects are near.
The characters are incredibly expressive; a subtle grimace here or a curled brow of annoyance there is all that’s needed to propel the artwork to amazing heights while slowly building the intensity and conveying how heavy everything feels for these characters. Mescudi and Higgins aren’t shying away from the real-life parallels: vanity billionaire projects about outer space exploration; inner-city turmoil against said vain billionaires; and the excruciating pressure of a man who wants to do good.
Moon Man #2 is an amazing addition to the already phenomenal hit. Its social commentary fuels the characters’ motivation while also reflecting the current socioeconomic state in which we see ourselves. Everything from the artwork to the underlying message blends into a cohesive work that’s out of this world and worthy of a spot on your shelf.
Writer’s note: You can’t stop the space puns.
Creative Team: Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi (writer); Kyle Higgins (writer); Marco Locati (art); Igor Monti (colors); Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (letters); Michael Bussutil (editorial and design); Wesley Griffith (production); Chase Conley (character designs)
Publisher: Image Comics
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