Moonstone Noir: Jack Hagee, Private Eye

(Moonstone, 2003)
™ and ©2002 C.J. Henderson

Contrary to the dark and brooding mood set by most noir (anti) heroes, this mystery has a lighter approach. Oh, Jack Hagee still smokes, drinks too much, and cusses, but his connection with, and understanding of, humanity is one of this character’s strengths. Some of C.J. Henderson’s strongest writing occurs in the scenes between Hagee and the street musician saxophonist “Popeye,” whom Hagee cleverly hires to warn of approaching bad guys. Their relationship, though intended as a sidestory, displays some of the best character development in the book. When Hagee is in a club, Henderson’s weakest writing surfaces through a bar band’s song lyrics, though the lyrics are used to good effect later in the mystery’s climactic action sequence.

Richard Clark’s art reflects the lighter approach of the story. New York doesn’t have the “Gotham-esque” feel you might expect from a noir title, since much of the art focuses on the characters in the frame and not their settings. More development of setting would enhance the mood of each scene.

The lighter approach and positive conclusion should please mystery fans. But, if you like your private eye stories with a depressing ending in which everyone loses and the world is a bleak place, look elsewhere. Jack Hagee’s pressing decision after unraveling the bad guys is where to have lunch.

— Karen O’Brien

Jump to issue:

Notes

Writer

Artist

#1

Cover Price: $5.50
4 copies available from $2.99

C.J. Henderson

Richard Clark

Book #1

Cover Price: $9.49
1 copy available for $8.00

C.J. Henderson

Richard Clark, Tom Gianni, Doug Klauba, Ben Fogletto, Greg Lawhun