Neonomicon #4 – Review

By: Alan Moore (writer), Jacen Burrows (art), Juanmar (colors)

The Story: Neonomicon wraps up with an ending that indicates more story is yet to come.

What’s Good: It is really a shame that Alan Moore doesn’t write more comics.  Neonomicon isn’t his strongest work; and this issue isn’t even the best of this miniseries (issues 2 & 3 were better), but even Moore’s “B-list” is pretty darn good. That’s something that is easy to lose track of while the guy is giving unusual interviews expressing his continued displeasure over Watchmen and the royalties Dave Gibbons has collected; or when he’s saying that he doesn’t think any current comic creators are very good.  Personal oddities and hobo beards aside, the guy is a truly gifted writer.

Moore’s gifts hit you right in the face in this very understated issue.  There is no awful, weeklong rape scene to distract you in this issue.  It’s mostly just a postmortem on the events of the first three issues that features a lot of talking.  From a lesser writer, this could be a really tedious issue, but under Moore’s pen, the words just flow like butter.  It is almost a shame that Moore is so good at these sorts of issues, because lesser creators continually try to emulate him and they just come off like talentless chumps when they do.

That’s not to say that the issue is devoid of action.  The star of this issue is the masterful building of tension as the FBI raids the cult with cuts back-and-forth between Agent Brears getting a partial debrief outside the cult headquarters and the FBI agents storming the facility, shooting it out with the remaining cultists and getting closer and closer to you-know-who.  Moore always knows that we really want to be watching the shootout scenes, but he keeps pulling us away at just the key moment to build the tension. Bravo!

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From the Past Week: Unwritten #23 – This series has now strung together 4 very powerful issues in a row and that puts it squarely back on my A-list of titles.  The art in this issue was wonderful.  Some pages made your hand cramp just seeing the detailed inking.  The revelations about Tom Taylor’s nature are coming fast now and that probably means that this series is building towards a climax.  Grab the last few issues and get caught up!  Runner-up: Bomb Queen vs. Hack/Slash One-Shot

Most Anticipated: Creepy #5 – Bless Dark Horse for bringing back this horror anthology!  I have no idea what kinds of stories we’re going to get this time, but they are always just the ticket if your’re seeking some good, old-fashioned B&W horror stories (often with wonderful ‘Oh, Henry!’ moments).  The only problem with this series thus far is the release schedule.  Why can’t this be a monthly series?

Other picks: Haunt #14, Lorna Relic Wrangler #1, Marineman #4, FF #1, Hulk #31, Neonomicon #4

Ray’s Top Picks

Best From the Past Week: Amazing Spider-Man #656 – Shame on you if you aren’t reading this book. ASM has consistently stayed on the top of my “read first” list. Nine issues in, and Dan Slott has yet to disappoint.

Most Anticipated: Batman Incorporated #4 – After stops in Japan and Argentina, it’s good to finally have the Dark Knight back home. But what I’m mostly looking forward to with this book is his team-up with Batwoman. After word got out this month that Batwoman’s return to the shelves have been delayed once again, it’s nice to know that there will be a Kate Kane sighting tomorrow.

Other Picks: Hulk #31, Batman: The Dark Knight #2, Green Lantern #64, Captain America: Man Out of Time #5, Captain American #615.1, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #156, Uncanny X-Force #6