The first issue of Moonshadow was released on January 29, 1985—40 years ago yesterday. 40 years? "Time," as Bob Dylan sang, "is a jet plane, it moves too fast." Can it really be four decades since the brilliant Jon J Muth (who has gone on to an award-winning career writing and illustrating children's books) and I embarked on one of the greatest creative journeys of our careers? There's no arguing with Father Time, but it's still mind-boggling to us both.
What's even more mind-boggling—in the very best way—is the fact that, barring a gap here and there, Moon has remained in print ever since that aforementioned first issue. In fact, this May sees the release of Moonshadow The Definitive Edition—Expanded: an updated version of the Eisner-nominated hardcover DH released back in 2019. And, yes, "expanded" means there are even more behind-the-scenes extras included in this 528 page beauty.
So happy that this story—which remains so close to my heart—will be back out in the world.
Pop! Poof! Ping! (If you know, you know.)
What a masterpiece! Thanks again since the first italian edition! Still hope this new expanded edition can have an italian version (among other languages).
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'd love Dark Horse to partner with an Italian publisher for this new edition. Italy is very close to my heart.
ReplyDeleteSir, here's a question. What entity in Marvel do you think is the personification of all dreams?
ReplyDeleteIf there is one, I'm not aware of it.
DeleteAnd what about Nightmare?
DeleteI don't see him as the embodiment of all dreams, just nightmares. And even there, I don't know if he actually personifies it or just dwells in that realm.
DeleteBut in the Ghost Rider you indicated that he exists within the collective unconscious, which already covers all dreams, and in the third volume of the Defenders, say, he exists in all dreams, isn't it?
DeleteI honestly don't recall that story (it was forty years ago), but if I said that, then that's clearly what I meant at the time.
DeleteSir, I literally quote.
DeleteGhost rider
I AM THE MASTER OF DREAMS! THE EMPIRE OF SLEEP IS MINE TO WORK AS CLAY, BETWEEN MY FINGERS!
A TERROR THAT WILL RIPPLE ACROSS HUMANITY'S COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS SEEKING EXPRESSION IN SLEEP, IN DREAMS WHERE NIGHTMARE... WILL BE WAITING!
Defenders
DON'T FORGET... I LIVE IN THE DREAMS OF ALL HUMANITY. NOT TO MENTION PLANTS, ANIMALS AND EVEN A FEW ROCKS
Sounds pretty definitive! Thanks for reminding me about that.
DeleteThat’s why I’m still waiting for the comic book about this character in your spark! I really hope you do this ;)
DeleteIf I get a the opportunity to play in the supernatural corners of the MU again, I'll try to include Nightmare as part of it!
DeleteWell, can you offer your role to write some comic book edition of Marvel?
DeleteIt doesn't work that way, unfortunately. They usually come to me with projects.
DeleteThanks again for the reminder about Nightmare. Much appreciated! Take care.
Thanks! Hope you enjoy the new edition.
ReplyDeleteHello sir, I really admire your work in an intellectual way, how you convey your spiritual philosophy to comic books. I love Moonshadow and the evolution of the protagonist, rereading the story, something intrigued me. In Justice League of America (1960) #257, of your authorship, There is a dialogue between Martian Manhunter and Zatanna about merging with Divinity (Godhead in that context) being equal to transcending the Ego and the infinite Consciousness that living beings share. This is the same idea presented subtly in Moonshadow #6? What made me think about this is the proximity of the dates, as both stories are from close years (1985 - 1986). In addition to you having a consistency in the themes addressed in the comics.
ReplyDeleteTaking advantage of the doubt, would you be able to answer if the conception of God that you wrote in DC comics for years, Can it be considered through the lens of a transcendental Absolute Infinite? An idea of the divine as Impassible and Immutable, and the synthesis of maximum cataphatic greatness and maximum apophatic inexpressiveness? It's something interesting to me as I'm also interested in the Indian worldview. Although you value readers' individual interpretation of spiritual journey plots, which makes the work even more revealing in terms of identity, Can you at the moment say a little about the universal precepts you give to the divine (in general terms)? Any explanation will be gladly given sir! ^-^
In short: I'd say that God is all there is and the essence of that God is Divine Love. Anything else is actually dreamstuff, illusion...however convincing...and our goal is to wake up to the God we all are.
DeleteThank you for your reply sir!
DeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteWell said, JMD!
DeleteI think it was St Augustine who argued that evil is a deprivation of good, an insubstantiality that has no real independent existence, the flip side being that God and every manifestation of that love is real. I think every religion or spiritual discipline has some inkling of this, however differently it's phrased.
Anyway, what you said once about the love that binds us all together being the only thing that's truly real had a huge impact on me.
Here's to becoming more and more real with every act of kindness.
--David
And we need that kindness now more than ever. Thanks, David!
DeleteI say this sincerely, MOONSHADOW is one of the greatest works of literature ever.
ReplyDeleteIt frolics in the spaces between specificity and universality. It is a deeply personal coming of age story with the madness and joy of the 60s and 70s in mind, yet told broadly enough that here's no reason it couldn't have been written in the shadow of 9/11 rathet than Vietnam. Or the madness we're currently living through.
I dont know how many high schoolers and college kids read graphic novels, but I suspect this is a work that would resonate powerfully with them, maybe now more than ever.
And God knows it's sorely needed.
--David
Thank you, David, for those incredibly kind words.
DeleteI'd love to see MOON taught in high schools and colleges. I think it's a story that would resonate.