High Moon is a werewolf westernwebcomic series, developed in 2004 with a debut in 2007 as a part of Zuda, DC Comics' webcomic imprint. The first season concluded on July 8, 2008. Season two ran from August 16 to November 25, 2008. Season three began its run on February 9, 2009. Season four began its run on October 3, 2009. Serialization ended when Zuda Comics shut down in 2010. On February 10, 2017, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Papercutz would re-release HIGH MOON in a new collection, consisting of three volumes for their Super Genius imprint.
In the first series, a bounty hunter, Matthew Macgregor, investigates a series of strange happenings in the Texas town of Blest, where drought has brought famine and hardship to most of the town and surrounding ranches. Additionally, the nights are haunted by werewolves. While Macgregor, a former Pinkerton detective, seeks to uncover the town's secrets, he tries desperately to keep secret his own past steeped in witchcraft and the supernatural. The second series finds werewolf-hunter Macgregor in Ragged Rock, Oklahoma, investigating a series of murders following a bizarre train robbery, and finds himself caught in a vendetta and confronting a technological monstrosity. In series three, Macgregor helps a young woman and finds himself amid two warring factions in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Characters
Matthew Macgregor: A descendant of Scottish outlawRobert "Rob Roy" Macgregor, the protagonist is a stubborn and grumbly retired Pinkerton. He first appears on page 3 of Season 1. 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. Mac's history shows a past with James Bowie, Abe Lincoln, Allan Pinkerton, and Marie Laveau.
Eddie Conroy: An African-American outlaw afflicted with lycanthropy. After McGregor is killed Conroy assumes his identity. Seen on Page 5 in werewolf form, and again on Page 6 in human form.
Tristan Macgregor: Member of the Macgregor family, an esoteric subset of the Pinkertons and brother of Matthew. He has a mechanical arm, conceals his face with goggles, and uses steampunk weapons invented by Nikola Tesla.
Tara Bradley: Daughter of legendary lawman Sheriff Patrick Bradley, Tara is a beautiful redhead who since moving to Blest 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.
Gabriel Hunter: The founder of Blest 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 recounts 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.
Were-Bats: Strange, multi-eyed, multi-armed batty creatures, spawned from the Jim Bowie caves.
Miss Molly: Appears on Page 33. Owner of the Crabapple dance hall.
Others include Ester, August, and Frederick Kittel, Vivian, and Egregore.
Print
In November 2008, DC announced that Bayou and High Moon would be the first two Zuda titles to be published as graphic novels, in June and October 2009, respectively. In October 2017, Papercutz released new trade editions of the series.
Awards
High Moon was nominated for two 2009 Harvey Awards, for Best New Series and Best Online Work, winning the latter award.
High Moon was nominated for a 2010 Harvey Award for Best Online Work.
