Moon Knight [2021] #7 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 7, March 2022

Although Jed MacKay’s narrative for Issue Seven of “Moon Knight” debatably doesn’t depict its titular character “fighting his way through the super-crime underworld” in quite the grand manner its solicit synopsis suggests, the comic still must have utterly enthralled the majority of its audience with its splendid mixture of base-level detective work and disconcerting treachery. Indeed, “Headhunters” seems to contain a plethora of intriguing hooks with which to snare any unsuspecting bibliophile who just happens to have picked up this pulse-pounding publication off of the spinner rack for a cursory perusal; “Marsdale would go to the grave before he’d rat, and Clown’s dead.”

To begin with, the Canadian composer does a first-rate job in developing a mysteriously sinister background for this ongoing series’ central antagonist, Zodiac. The masked murderer seems to inspire a strange sense of loyalty with some within “the twilight half-world of New York City’s super villainy”, such as an almost fanatical Manslaughter Marsdale, whilst those more likely to blab to the authorities appear unable to literally keep their heads. This tense situation really helps build-up the sadistic malevolence of the anarchist, to the point where it becomes crystal clear to the reader that anyone in his presence, particularly those friendly with Marc Spector, are in deadly danger.

Likewise, this twenty-page periodical contains plenty of spotlight on the former West Coast Avenger’s fellow team-mate Tigra, as the pair slowly grind out a path to the eerily-dark abode of Eliot Franklin’s half-brother, the Clown. This partnership doesn’t unfortunately actually see the dynamic duo fight anyone, but the ‘friendly’ banter between the two as they stalk their psychopathic prey is well-written. In addition, the later revelation that all is not what it seems with Greer Nelson’s motivation to join the Fist of Khonshu’s side, makes the heroic weretiger’s presence all the more absorbing.

Internal intrigues aside, what also makes this comic so successful are the action-packed panels pencilled by Federico Sabbatini. 8-Ball’s death-defying drop towards an industrial car shredder is incredibly well-drawn by the Italian artist, with the clank of the chains keeping him alive just about being audible over the terrifying sound of the huge machine’s always-grinding teeth. However, it is probably the fast-paced bout of pugilism between Moon Knight and Marsdale which is the highlight of this book, as the two determined combatants trade a series of bone-crunching blows and kicks with one another.

Writer: Jed MacKay, Artist: Federico Sabbatini, and Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenberg