Aftershock in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur *Update*

 

This is just a quick update to two prior posts: Is the MC2’s Aftershock in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur?! and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Episode 1 Review. Both posts discuss the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur animated series and its potential adaption of the MC2 version of the character Aftershock aka Allison Dillon.

 

In my review post, I mentioned that the animated Aftershock uses the name ‘Ms. Dillon’ while temporarily working as a teacher at Lunella Lafayette aka Moon Girl’s school. This seemed to concretely establish this version of Aftershock was adapting the MC2 iteration of the character and not the one seen in the Main Marvel Universe, Danielle Blunt.

 

Just to further reinforce this notion, an interview with the animated show’s Executive Producer, Steve Loter on entertainment site Beautiful Ballard had this to added incite:

 

The first villain Lunella faces is Aftershock, was that always the plan?

Steve Loter: “Being that Aftershock is the first villain in the series, it’s the first real formidable villain that Lunella faces as Moon Girl, we really did wanna encapsulate a lot about what the mission statement was of the series is the one girl makes a difference storyline which is super important. That to have this character coming into the Lower East Side sapping it of its energy, there’s a lot of proverbial notions there to make statement about gentrification. It’s a statement about losing community and neighborhood and connection. It was really important for Aftershock to be the conduit—no pun intended—for that kind of story. But yeah, it was totally intentional. And it’s the daughter of Electro, so that’s always fun, too. But that was the reasons why Aftershock definitely had to be our first villain.”

 

So, there you have it, the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur production team even refers to her as ‘the daughter of Electro’. The matter is settled. Ironically, even though the series borrows a few visuals and elements from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it does not actually take place within that continuity. Which means it is free to have a second-generation villain show up ahead of their parent’s MCU debut.

 

Before I power down again, I wanted to also give a quick shout out to this YouTube video from the channel WhitneyVision which provides a great in-depth look at the first six episodes of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur with comparisons and changes from the comics along with easter eggs and references. Check it out.

 

Until I stop adoring this great cartoon, I remain

 

frogoat

 

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Episode 1 Review

 

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur animated series has made its debut on the Disney Channel and thankfully for some of us was also uploaded on the official Youtube channel. For a change of pace, and given my post discussing the villain Aftershock potentially being inspired by the MC2 version of the character, I thought I’d write a little review of the first episode.

 

Right from the beginning, I could tell this series is going all out. The theme song is so enjoyable to hear and it really stands out. Music itself plays a pretty intrinsic part of the shows make-up, be it existing real-world music, the score or the show’s own original songs.

Next up, the art style. Phenomenal. Seriously, I don’t usually go in for animation in this vein but it’s impossible not to watch this opening episode and not be sucked in by its visuals. The vibrant colours, the stylistic approach to character design, field of view or the way the animation seems to flow so smoothly and dynamically during the high-energy action scenes.

The titular character, Lunella Lafayette aka Moon Girl is not only a wonderful lead character that gives off shades of classic super hero tropes like Spider-Man. This is most evident in her ‘friendly neighbourhood’ earnestness and desire to help those around her but also her  intelligence and resourcefulness. The entire support cast are fantastic even in their brief roles here with episode one. The main voice cast  were immaculately cast, from lead Diamond White as Lunella, through Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur to Alfre Woodard as the delightful Mimi.

 

Additionally, this episodes guest voice actor Alison Brie did a great job of juggling the more menacing and off kilter villain Aftershock, who we can now confirm is a version of the MC2’s own Allison Dillion thanks to her civilian alias ‘Ms. Dillion’. Really nice to see. I wonder if the Alison/Allison connection was a bit of an inside joke or simply a coincidence.

The plot is not only well paced but structured in such a way as to introduce the viewer to the Lunella’s neighbourhood of the Lower East Side, her family and school life one at a time before bringing all of these elements together in an extremely satisfying way that also grounds (pun intended) the character and her world despite the giant dinosaur. By effectively tying these aspects of Lunella’s life together you feel invested in the lower stakes thanks to the personal connections it forms.

 

With eye-poppingly beautiful visuals, ear-meltingly delightful music and voice performances and spectacular command of storytelling structure and form, I have no doubt this show will reach not only a young audience but a larger, older one as well. Kudos to the entire team behind the scenes for producing a phenomenal final product. Hopefully the entire series becomes available in my region so I can continue to watch it and introduce it to the youngsters.

 

Until I get my own pet dinosaur, I remain

 

frogoat