High Moon

Supercbbox| title = High Moon
comic_color = background:#8080ff


caption = Matthew Macgreor. Cover to "High Moon". Art by Steve Ellis.
schedule = Weekly, Every Tuesday at Sundown
format = Ongoing webcomic series
publisher = Zuda imprint of DC Comics
date = 2007–ongoing
screens = 85+
main_char_team = Macgregor
writers = David Gallaher
artists = Steve Ellis
creative_team_month =
creative_team_year =
creators = David Gallaher Steve Ellis

"High Moon" is a werewolf western webcomic series, developed in 2004 with a debut in 2007 as a part of Zuda, DC Comics' web comic imprint. The strip concluded on July 8th 2008.

Created by David Gallaher and Steve Ellis "High Moon" was part of Zuda's initial launch in October 2007. In November 2007, "High Moon" [ [http://www.comixology.com/podcasts/8/High-Moon-from-Zuda-with-David-Gallaher David Gallaher's "High Moon" Wins Zuda] , It Came Out on Wednesday, October 25, 2007] was awarded a contract with DC Comics, where the strip will continue to be serialized on Zuda. Com.

Overview

Author David Gallaher cites "Gunsmoke", "Have Gun, Will Travel", and Tom Waits as major influences in this werewolf western webcomic series. [ [http://high-moon.blogspot.com/2007/10/high-moon-back-cover-of-my-notebook.html High Moon Production Blog] ] Artist Steve Ellis cites films like "High Plains Drifter", "Django", and Jodorowsky's "El Topo". [ [http://hypersteve.livejournal.com/16290.html Hyper Insomaniac - High Moon on Zudacomics.com] ] Scott O. Brown, author of Nightfall, is the production artist and letterer.

According to an interview with Comics Worth Reading, David Gallaher grew up in steeped in Civil War history and dirty little secrets. In 2004, HIGH MOON morphed, with the main character evolving from a Union soldier to a bounty hunter and then to a Pinkerton detective. According to Gallaher, "HIGH MOON is part supernatural detective story, ala John Constantine or Harry Dresden, with a mixture of Old-time radio and a little Tom Waits." [ [http://comicsworthreading.com/2007/12/03/interview-with-david-gallaher/ Interview With David Gallaher » Comics Worth Reading ] ] In a commentary with Comic Book Resources, Gallaher and Ellis note visual iconography for the series is influenced by Nosferatu, Hercules, The Hanged Man from the Tarot, and Lord of the Rings. [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16540 Comic Book Resources Commentary Track: High Moon with Gallaher and Ellis » Comic Book Resources Commentary Track: High Moon ] ]

Plot

A grumbling bounty hunter, Matthew Macgregor, investigates a series of strange happenings in the dusty Texas town of Blest, where drought has brought famine and hardship to most of the town and surrounding ranches. Unfortunately, the drought is the least of the town's worries. While the summer heat pushes the mercury toward further unbearable degrees during the day, the nights are haunted by strange, unnatural creatures roaming the darkness. While Macgregor, a former Pinkerton detective, seeks to uncover the town's dark secrets, he tries desperately to keep his own secrets hidden - of a past steeped in witchcraft and the supernatural. When the sun sets, it'll be a showdown at High Moon.

Characters (Season 1)

Matthew Macgregor: A descendant of Scottish outlaw Robert ‘RobRoy’ Macgregor, the protagonist is a stubborn and grumbly retired Pinkerton. Clad completely in black, with his six-gun strapped low on his thigh, he rides of in search of people that need protecting. He considers himself the shepherd of the flock of townspeople. [ [http://high-moon.blogspot.com/2007/11/original-character-notes-for-high-moon.html The High Moon Rises: Original Character Notes for HIGH MOON ] ] He first appears on page 3. As of page 17, he demonstrates a degree of ritual psychometry. He carries a pair of pistols with the words Gáe Bolga carved into the hilts. As seen on page 30 of the strip, his bullets of choice are Blaine Bullets, which seems to be a nod to Jim Blaine and the Lone Ranger. Mac's history shows a past with James Bowie, Abe Lincoln, Allan Pinkerton, and Marie Luevue

Tara Bradley: Daughter of legendary lawman, Sheriff Patrick Bradley. This beautiful redhead is more than just a pretty face. Since moving to Blest, she has been working for the Sheriff’s office. She first appears on Page 2.

Deputy Jeb Garret: He first appears on page 2. He enjoys reading dime novels.

Eddie Conroy: Seen on Page 5 in werewolf form, and again on Page 6 in human form.

Gabriel Hunter: The founder on Blest, Texas and father of the little girl who goes missing on Page 1 of the story arc. He first appears on Page 2.

Margaret Hunter: Goes missing in Page 1 of the opening prologue.

Mavis Hunter: Seen on Page 7, and reccounts his story in a flashback on page 10.

Sheriff Patrick Bradley: Mentioned on Page 2, does not appear in the prologue.

Doc McNear: Appears on page 11, where he aids Mavis Hunter with her hysteria, and later is confronted by Conroy.

Bat Things: Strange, multi-eyed, multi-armed bat creatures, spawned from the Jim Bowie caves

Miss Molly: Appears on Page 33. Owner of the Crabapple dance hall.

Characters (Season 2)

Publication

First Season

* "The Prologue": Synopsis of Pages 1-8
* "Act I": Synopsis of Pages 9-20
* "Act II": Synopsis of Pages 21-45
* "Act III": Synopsis of Pages 46-56
* "The Epilogue": Synopsis of Pages 57-60

econd Season

High Moon's second season debuted on August 16th 2008, on the night of the full moon.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.zudacomics.com/high_moon Read High Moon on Zuda]
* [http://high-moon.blogspot.com/ High Moon Production Blog]
* [http://www.davidgallaher.com David Gallaher Dot Com]
* [http://www.hypersteve.com/gallery.htm The Hyperactive Art of Steve Ellis]

Interviews

* Special New York Comic Con [http://www.comixology.com/podcasts/33/NYCC-Special-4-High-Moon interview] with David and Steve at [http://www.comixology.com comiXology]
* David Gallaher, writer of High Moon, the first competition winner, in a podcast interview on [http://www.comixology.com/podcasts/8/High-Moon-from-Zuda-with-David-Gallaher It Came Out on Wednesday, by ComiXology.com]
* Steve Ellis, artist of High Moon, in an interview with Valerie D'Orazio, [http://occasionalsuperheroine.blogspot.com/2007/10/occasional-interviews-zuda-artist-steve.html]
* David Gallaher, writer of High Moon, the first competition winner, in an interview on Your Mom's Basement [http://www.yourmomsbasement.com/archives/2007/10/last_minute_edi_3.html]
* [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=134931 The Opening Team: Talking to the First Wave of Zuda Creators] , Newsarama, November 1, 2007