We’ve Got A Date At The Mental Hospital
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Wilfredo Torres, Francesco Francavilla, James Stokoe, Michael Garland and Cory Petit
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 7, 2016
Review by: Josh Vermillion
If you’re not reading this series, jump on now. The first arc is wrapped up, and now it’s time to get moving on the second arc. This one looks like it’s going to be just as confusing and mind-bending as the first one, which is a pretty good thing when you have Jeff Lemire at the helm. Confusing can be tiring though, so let’s see if Moon Knight #6 kept the ball rolling after the hot start of the first 5 issues.
After the apparent death of Mr. Knight in the last issue, this one opens up with Moon Knight fighting a pharaoh. How can this be?? He’s supposed to just be Steven Grant now! Well, it turns out this Moon Knight is just a character in a movie directed by Steven Grant. Here’s the real kicker: the actor playing Moon Knight is none other than Marc Spector.
I’m thinking the same thing you are. “What the hell is going on here?” Normally, if I don’t have any idea what’s going on in a comic, I kind of tune out and just roll with it. But this is so interesting, I find myself staring at every page trying to look for clues and figure out what’s real. Sure, it’s a lot of work, but I don’t even care.
So, back to the story, Steven leaves with Marlene and gets in a cab with Jake Lockley, yet another persona. Marlene is trying to convince Steven to fire the directory and take over the movie for himself. Steven drops them off at home, then we get some inner monologue from him. He seems to be the only persona that can tell something is off. Crawley gets in the cab and gives Jake, and the reader, some recap of what happened in the first arc. It was straight up recap, but it was done in a natural way as Jake and Crawley argue about what’s going on and whether or not what Crawley remembers is real.
Out of nowhere, Crawley disappears out of the back seat. Now it’s time for Steven to take on the night. He gets out and gets ready to go out fighting as Moon Knight. Turn the page and it’s back to Steven staring down at a white suit, very Mr. Knight-esque. He tells Marlene that he remembers being Steven, but she just tells him to take his meds.
Jumping ahead to a benefit at Mercy Hospital, Marc/Steven’s old friends Billy and Bobby are back, this time serving food to the customers. They recognize him, but can’t place how they know him. Steven freaks out, and Marlene reveals that he used to be a patient at Mercy. Just as she’s telling him this, the movie director comes up to talk to Steven. Steven finally does what Marlene has been trying to get him to do and fires him to take over as director.
Steven wants to be alone, but when he walks through the door he emerges on the moon, as a pilot for the Moon Knights, who are about to get into a dogfight with some Space Wolves. Here is where I really don’t have the slightest idea what is going on, but I kind of like it.
I spent the entire time reading this issue trying to figure out what was happening. I thought maybe writing this review would help to organize my thoughts and help me come up with some theories, but I think I’m more confused now than when I started. I don’t have the slightest idea as to what is happening with Marc/Steven/Jake/Moon Knight, but damn I’m intrigued to find out.
The art this issue definitely isn’t bad, and I like the contrasting styles for different personas. I’m just used to the fabulous art of Greg Smallwood. Looking ahead, I don’t see when he’s coming back to the series, so hopefully I can get used to the new artists in the coming months.
Bits and Pieces:
I absolutely love this series. Jeff Lemire is weaving an amazing story with Moon Knight. Even though I miss Greg Smallwood’s art, the story more than makes up for it. Sure, I have no clue what exactly is going on, but I can’t wait to find out.
9.5/10
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