There Is Always A Price: Moonshine #13 Reviewed
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Lou is a werewolf, and he seeks a cure for his condition. He goes to Delia and her sisters, Angelique and Eva, for help with his tainted blood and lupine dreams. Delia’s sisters turn Lou down, as he has nothing to offer them. Lou decides to gather money from the town. He steals, gambles, and works his way to the high stake poker tables at the local tavern. All magic comes at a cost, and Lou hopes he can accrue enough capital to pay that cost.
It’s been a while since I’ve read an issue of Moonshine, though I remember quite enjoying the comic. Thankfully, Moonshine #13 is easy to follow, even for the lapsed reader.
That said, the comic is a little light on plot. We get to see Lou and Delia beseech the latter’s sisters for help with Lou’s condition, then we watch him take the town for all it’s worth. Nothing more really happens, save for a brief conversation at the end that would risk spoiling the comic.
Regardless, there is something quite lovely about the language in the comic. Brian Azzarello delivers a dialect that feels fitting for the era in which Moonshine takes place. It’s a bit of a heightened version of the Swingin’ Twenties talk, but it has a musicality that makes it enjoyable. The New Orleans/Cajun dialect of Delia’s sisters is eloquently scripted as well.
The tension and enjoyable characters keep Moonshine #13 compelling regardless of how thin its story feels, though much of the credit must be given to Eduardo Risso.
Risso’s artwork is gorgeous, evocative, and deceptively simple. Every panel is expertly crafted, and his use of shadow is brilliant. Detailing is only given as needed, yet that minimalism speaks volumes about each character and environment. The coloring from Risso and Cristian Rossi is sickly and pale to match the ominous atmosphere of the story and balance the heavy shading.
Moonshine #13 is a highly engaging and visually stunning period piece. Lou, Delia, Angelique, and Eva make this a grabbing read, and Risso and Rossi make sure your eyes never leave the page. It’s a solid comic and one worthy of a recommendation. Check it out.
Moonshine #13 comes to us from writer Brian Azzarello, artist and cover artist Eduardo Risso, color assistant Cristian Rossi, and letterer Jared H. Fletcher.
Final Score: 8/10
