REVIEW: ‘Moonstar’ Issue 1

Moonstar Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Ashley Allen, with art by Edoardo Audino, colors by Arthur Hesli, and letters by Clayton Cowles.

Dani Moonstar is approached to find an Asgardian artifact, as she’s the only one who even remembers Asgard exists.

Moonstar Issue 1 picks up the pieces from multiple stories. It’s both a sequel to Allen’s Magik series and carries elements of Immortal Thor. Dani has repeated the heroic life, either as a Valkyrie or a mutant. But those lives aren’t finished with her. She was a part of a corrupt organisation that she had to bring down, and is licking her wounds following the betrayal. There’s a lot to take in, with backstory emanating from so many different stories. In that regard, it can be difficult to absorb it all, especially in the early stages of Moonstar Issue 1. Allen needs those factors, though, because they create a rich story.

Once Dani is dragged into action by Yansia and Kian, scholars of the society she helped destroy, the story is filled with energy and enthusiasm. Allen brings a similar dark-magic tone to Magik, but it has evolved into something else. It really doesn’t take much time at all to get to the main villain of the series, and the seriousness of the story is suddenly evident. The extent to which Allen turns brutal is incredibly surprising, and he makes sure Dani can’t hack down.

Allen created a subgenre that fits Dani Moonstar perfectly. It’s fascinating that so much of this story features Asgardian influence, including the dwarves of Nidavellir and Valkyries. And yet, everyone had forgotten about the Asgardians because of Thor, except Dani. This not only makes the magic within Moonstar Issue 1 remarkably specific to the protagonist but also creates a peculiar dynamic. No one believes Dani, especially the scholars, which creates tension, arguments, and resentment. When they first arrive at her door, Dani retreats, signaling how hurt she is

Following the fall of Krakoa, Dani is one of the few who have found freedom and peace. Her relationship with her family is good. She’s content and safe after being so disappointed by society. So she’s dragged back into discomfort and danger in Moonstar Issue 1. The animosity between her and Kian generates friction in every scene, and the dialogue is superb. The villain makes an entrance and causes damage before we even know his name. It makes the fight scene feel frantic and bewildering, culminating in a devastating final blow.

The art is fantastic, with so much excitement and magic from the start. There’s a blend of familial normality and the mystical chaos that will always follow Dani around. First, we see her in Moonstar Issue 1 riding her Pegasus, which might be the perfect introduction. She belongs and looks at home both with her parents and in a world of swords, wings, and armor. The comic’s magical elements are sensational, both cartoony and unnerving.

When the trio of Dani, Yansia, and Kian arrive at their destination, they are immediately greeted by zombies with big eyes, and the door against them is bloody and exciting. The villain is huge, wearing a cloak and standing on a statue that makes him tower over Dani. Audino brilliantly ensures that Dani’s design reflects her identity as both a Native American woman and a member of the X-Men.

The colors in Moonstar Issue 1 are enchanting and ominous at the same time. The sunset shades at the start already create a mystical beauty to the book. Dani has a bright yellow uniform, as do many of the X-Men, but it’s not intensely or overbearingly vibrant. The intensity comes from the energy Dani generates, whether from her psychic powers or the arrows she fires. The villain bends with him, a rich, blood-red that radiates from him. The lettering is very easy to read, even when using the Asgardian font.

Moonstar Issue 1 makes Dani Moonstar more important than ever. The idea that Asgard is only something she remembers gives her a unique quality, making her the only one who can help. It feels like an adventure finely tuned for her. The story is engaging and mysterious, with some breathtaking blows in the early stages. Allen is able to continue the story she was telling in Magik whilst adapting it to suit Dani perfectly.

Moonstar Issue 1 is available now wherever comics are sold.