The Moon is Following Us continued to impress me with every issue after that. Not only does creator Daniel Warren Johnson and Riley Rossmo create a fantasy kingdom that includes the most ferocious talking frogs this side of the Battletoads, but it also features a surprisingly emotional story and a twist in the first issue. It upset me. Burying some heartbreaking moments at murder scenes has become a Johnson staple, and it’s taken to a new level in The Moon is Following Us #4.
In the previous issue, Sam and Duncan Lamarr finally found their daughter Penny (or rather, her subconscious), only to discover that one of the conclaves imprisoning Penny had a resemblance to Sam’s late mother. I was shocked. Already dealing with a flood of emotions, this couple is completely unprepared for things to escalate to a whole new level…needing to take a different approach to their fight.
The Moon is Following Us #4 is packed with action, and Rossmo goes wild with it. The conclave takes on a terrifying new form. It’s a giant snake that can literally bite through anything, including the helicopter Sam and Duncan use on their rescue mission. Missiles and bullets from the very same helicopter hit the ground, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Colorist Mike Spicer illuminates the page in fiery reddish-orange. But my favorite moment is when Duncan and Brio (the aforementioned badass frog) perform an X-Men style fastball special. It warms this writer’s heart that Johnson even mentions it in the script.
image
But the issue also struck a chord with fans in places they least expected, especially with one character, Ashley. Because this is a dreamspace, the characters tend to be based on Penny’s memories, such as Ashley, Penny’s favorite toy. So it was a real shock when a giant snake came and bit Ashley in half. Johnson deserves credit for making the deaths of fictional characters as impactful as those of real people. No matter where the line between fantasy and reality lies, the same level of impact still exists.
This leads into the second half of the book, where Sam and Duncan make another big choice. But again, this ties into why The Moon is Following Us is a great Jump read. It’s something readers can relate to, especially if they’re parents. This is reflected in Johnson’s art, which is mostly quiet moments where the couple prepares for battle.
“This isn’t a fight anymore,” Sam says to Duncan at one point. “It’s war.” With these words, The Moon is Following Us #4 undergoes a subtle but dramatic paradigm shift. This shows that the Lamars, and by extension their creators, have no limits they are willing to push. But wars have casualties, and that bodes ill for their mission…especially as the series reaches its halfway point. No matter what happens, Johnson and Rossmo will deliver great art that will make readers laugh, cry, or both.
“The Moon Is Following Us” #4 takes an emotional twist
The moon is chasing me #4
The Moon is Following Us #4 undergoes a subtle but dramatic paradigm shift, showing that there are no limits that the Lamars, and by extension the creators, are willing to push.
Riley Rossmo makes me smile with intense action and homages to the X-Men.
Daniel Warren Johnson’s penchant for writing emotionally devastating scenes is on full display here.
This book goes through a paradigm shift and takes it to another level.
What happens in the dream world is given as much emotional weight as what happens in real life, making it a truly compelling read.
