Moon Knight [2021] #18 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 18, February 2023

Despite his script for Issue Eighteen of “Moon Knight” disappointingly not quite evolving into a book-long mass battle between the West Coast Avenger and the Vampire Nations’ bloodsucking elite, Jed MacKay’s “Party Monster” still must have delighted any devotees of the Egyptian deity Khonshu. For whilst the twenty-page periodical is over half-way done before the first Nosferatu is finally fried with holy water, Marc Spector’s understandably tense tête-à-tête with the Structure’s principal, Kenneth, is spellbindingly scribed, and genuinely helps illustrate just how cleverly well-prepared the street-level crime-fighter can actually be when outnumbered by Tutor’s conclave of immortal subjects; “I have never understood why you always have to talk so much.”

Of course, the highlight of the comic is the dynamic fight sequence which rather enjoyably sees the likes of Tigra donning silver claw-caps so as to enhance her impact upon the already sizzled flesh of the sharp-pointed, canine toothed creatures surrounding her. Yet the hubris of Kenneth still debatably makes for a compelling read, particularly once the bespectacled wannabe world leader suddenly realises that he’s not just facing a white-suited super-hero who pummels his opponents with fists and batons, but rather a mask-wearing priest who can easily bless a building’s sprinkler system.

Intriguingly however, the “superstar writer” doesn’t just dwell on events occurring at the vampires’ gathering either, having consigned a portion of this publication to “many floors below” as well. Predominantly dwelling on Soldier’s motivation for following Moon Knight so loyally, this insight into the former Hydra goon’s skill set is prodigiously penned, and whilst she herself says very little throughout the scene, also helps cement the close relationship he’s developing with the Midnight Mission’s receptionist Reese.

Adding plenty of arrogance to Tutor’s overconfident boasts and some swaggering smugness to Spector’s mannerisms as the crime-fighter’s spectacular strike successfully results in all the vampires threatening New York City being wiped out within minutes of one another, is Federico Sabbatini. The Italian illustrator is particularly good at pencilling Kenneth’s fall from grace, as the bearded antagonist suddenly realises “who really owns the night” and pathetically begs Marc to spare his life so he can help “expand your operation” by making him “a god of the streets!”

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