Tananarive Due is one of the smartest and most talented authors on the planet. The Reformatory is one of the best books to come out in years and now Due lends herself to the world of comics with The Horizon Experiment – Moon Dogs #1. Along for the ride is the talented Kelsey Ramsay, who brings Due’s tale to life.

Moon Dogs follows East African werewolves secretly living in Miami, as this minority within a minority is caught in a burgeoning war that threatens both lycanthrope and human lives.

I fell in love with the work of Tananarive Due with the reading of The Reformatory in 2023. However, my passion lies more in the world of comics and having Due crossover to comics was a one-shot I was not going to miss. Due’s storytelling prowess shines brightly in Moon Dogs #1. Her ability to create characters that are both relatable as well as complex allows us to empathize with their struggles and triumphs. Due crafts a werewolf tale where their internal conflicts mirror real-world issues such as racial discrimination and cultural identity crisis. This depth adds significant weight to this monster tale making it more a thought-provoking exploration rather than a basic horror story.

When reading a story from Due I have always picture what it looked like in my mind. What Ramsay was able to illustrate in each panel of Moon Dogs was exactly how I picture a story by Due to look like. The creative duo compliment each other seamlessly. Ramsay’s artwork perfectly encapsulates the eerie yet vibrant atmosphere needed for such a story. The art by Ramsay is gruesome in just the right way. I mean, the opening scene—a body torn apart on the sidewalk—sets an unsettling yet captivating tone for the rest of the issue. Additionally, the colors by José Villarrubia and lettering by Jeff Powell bring Moon Dogs together.

This experiment, entitled The Horizon Experiment, which brings different takes on classic tales such as a Chinese James Bond, Muslim John Constantine, an Evil Dead for black nerds, a reverse Indian Jones, and a family of werewolves with East African descent is such an outstanding experience. The downside is they are one-shot issues. However, we can hope for more from the mind of Pornsak Pichetshote after the success of these one-shots.

While Moon Dogs embraces familiar horror tropes, it also weaves a compelling story about identity and belonging. The issue is both insightful and entertaining, making it standout as a unique blend of horror and profound social commentary. Tananarive Due brilliantly captures the feeling of otherness through her narrative while Kelsey Ramsay brings this evocative tale to life. A truly unique and profound one-shot.

Moon Dogs #1 hit local comic shops on November 20, 2024 from Image Comics.