

Also in 1989, a limited edition hardcover was also released by Graphitti Designs. The series was subsequently reprinted as a single volume in 1989. It was the first American comic book whose art was done entirely by painting.

Moonshadow was originally a twelve-issue maxi-series published by Marvel Comics under its Epic imprint from 1985 to 1987. I wasn't one of Marvel's top-selling writers. You deserve to get a chance to do some things that you want to do." And I respect him for letting me do it. However, when he discussed the upcoming expiration of his contract with Marvel with Shooter, Shooter offered to publish both Moonshadow and the Greenberg the Vampire graphic novel, another DeMatteis pet project that he had previously rejected. Having already been considering going over to DC, DeMatteis was initially inclined to accept. While talking with his friend Karen Berger, he mentioned his idea for the series, and an enthusiastic Berger offered to have DC Comics publish it. Įncouraged by the publication of experimental series such as Camelot 3000 and the Epic Comics lineup, in 1983 DeMatteis again pursued publication for Moonshadow. Another early concept for the series, then under the title Stardust, was submitted to Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter around the turn of the decade. For example, in the original concept for the series, the protagonist had superpowers. The general concept of Moonshadow dates back to roughly a decade before the series's publication, and was reworked by J.M. Moonshadow loses his innocence, but eventually makes peace with the world and reconciles himself to the actions of his seemingly capricious alien father. Moonshadow and Ira and Frodo the cat set out to find a life for themselves in the stars. When the idealistic and naive Moonshadow is orphaned at approximately age 15, he becomes friends with a venal and opportunistic furry humanoid named Ira.

The alien, who resembles a glowing orb of light bearing a stylized human face, abducted Moonshadow's mother from Earth in 1968 along with her black pet cat, Frodo. The action concerns the events leading up to the "awakening" of Moonshadow, the child of a hippy mother and an enigmatic alien father. It is told via the framing device of Moonshadow, now 120, looking back on his earlier life. The story takes the form of an eclectic and quirky fairy tale with satirical elements and dealing with philosophical concerns. It takes the form of a coming-of-age story with elements of satire. The comic was inspired by the Cat Stevens song " Moonshadow". It was later released as a trade paperback entitled The Compleat Moonshadow. Muth and Kent Williams as well as George Pratt. Moonshadow is a 1985–1987 limited series written and created by J. Cover art for the first issue of Moonshadow, March 1985.
