REVIEW: NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS MOMENT OF STORM #9

American Gods, is in a strange place. The first season was a hit with both critics and viewers, earning great scores on Rotten Tomatoes. The second season didn’t fare as well. Ratings plus, production delays plus behind-the-scenes drama, has sapped the series’ momentum . After reading through American Gods Moment of the Storm, I can safely agree with assertion that Orlando Jones“ option was not picked up because Mr. Nancy, among other characters, is not featured in the portion of the book that Season 3 will be focused on. In fact according to how P. Craig Russel has laid it out, it will be better for it.

In the last issue of American Gods #8, Shadow returned to Lakeside fresh off the victory in the War of the Gods happy in his role as the peacemaker. The long standing mystery of missing children, and the town’s winter tradition were revealed to be intertwined. The town Sherriff receives some closure on an old family issue.
In the current issue of American Gods #9, Moment of the Storm, Shadow uses his powers to help bring closure to others that badly need it. We get an update to Sam Black-Crow. Shadow travels to the land of his ancestry. Shadow settles up on his debt to Czernobog.

This issue was more of a decompression issue after 8 onslaught issues of mystery, intrigue and blood, therefore the art didn’t need to be spectacular, but the art by Scott Hampton did a good job of capturing the cultural surroundings it was set in.

The My Ainsel and the Moment of the Storm story-lines have been a pleasure to read. At the end of the day, American Gods #9, is one of those issues that has a lot more emotional weight to it if you have been reading the series all the way through. Which is why this I am full confident in saying that the readers can skip this issue, but must pick up the trade (May 26, 2020).

American Gods Moment Of The Storm #9 will have to covers; Cover A Regular Glenn Fabry Cover; and the Cover B Variant David Mack Cover.Â ThoughÂ it is a little puzzling why the comics hasn’t garnered more interest collector wise.Â Gaiman and Eglee have already begun planning a fourth season.Â American Gods’ third season will wrap up shootingÂ Â March 6, 2020, so it definitely has some road left to travel.

SCORE: 2/5

Words by: Neil Gaiman
Script and Layout by: P. Craig Russell
Art by: Scott Hampton
Colors by:Â Jennifer T. Lange and Scott Hampton
Letters by: Rick Parker
Published by:Â By Dark Horse