Moon Knight [2021] #21 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 21, May 2023

Somewhat side-lining the titular character in favour of his vampire-turned-secretary Reese, Jed MacKay’s narrative for Issue Twenty-One of “Moon Knight” is initially a little slower-paced than some of its readers were probably expecting. Indeed, the twenty-page periodical’s plot is completely devoid of any action whatsoever for its opening half, as the audience are shown just how a principled blood-drinker likes to spend a night out with friends; “You’re going out dancing! Living life! And old Jake’s found you the hottest ticket in town!”

Happily however, that doesn’t mean that the comic’s start isn’t intriguing, as the Canadian author does a nice job in penning just how Marc Spector’s fanged confidant is coping with being an undead creature, and what life-style changes she has accepted so as to carry on ‘living’ as normal a life as possible. Considering just how violent her savage transition was, this development makes ‘Draculady’ even more admirable a cast member than before, especially when she ensures the less-experienced Soldier drinks up all his plasma before ‘hanging around humans’.

Furthermore, “Let’s Dance” provides Jake Lockley with some enjoyable spotlight as the taxi driver enthusiastically conveys his employee and her pals to their nocturnal destination. Humorous and witty, the moustache-wearing cabbie injects every panel in which he appears with plenty of energy, even when he’s just talking to one of his other personas as to where he’s stashed the Fist of Khonshu’s costume.

Ultimately though this publication lives or dies upon the success of Moon Knight’s battle against “a sinister pied piper [who] plays a deadly tune”, and despite being rather abruptly resolved, courtesy of Reese transforming into a cloud of mist and falling upon her attacker, there’s still enough fisticuffs on show to arguably please the majority of perusing bibliophiles. In fact, this book’s ending, with the vampire actually being gunned down by one of the deadly deejay’s shotgun-wielding minions, probably left most looking forward to a dramatic re-match.

Adding a distinctly disconcerting red gleam in the personal assistant’s eyes are artist Alessandro Cappuccio and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, who together imbue even the most mundane, dialogue-driven scene, with lots of flashing lights and noise. Of particular note is the creative pair’s ability to have the loud music inside the disco literally pop off the page, and then replace it with the sound of shouts, screams and punches, as the dance floor descends in chaos.

Writer: Jed MacKay, Artist: Alessandro Cappuccio, and Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenberg