Moon Knight [2021] #25 - Marvel Comics [Part Two]

MOON KNIGHT No. 25, September 2023

Having arguably stuck to a somewhat ‘realistic’ modern-day world for this super-sized edition’s opening half, Jed MacKay’s writing certainly seems to lean in to the Marvel Universe’s more super-powered inhabitants for its second. In fact, even the Karnak Cowboy’s fantastically fast-paced flight from Alexandria somewhat surprisingly introduces their understandably-feared foes to be the paramilitary terrorist organization Hydra, and matches Marc Spector’s grounded mercenary team against a team of green-garbed, neo-fascist operatives in a flying automobile; “I told you not to say it. I told you! You know as well as I do, Plesko. Speak the devil’s name and he shall appear.”

Likewise, Moon Knight’s supposedly covert infiltration of Hart Island is utterly upended by a flurry of the anti-hero's most recent assailants all coming together in a sense-shatteringly savage team-effort to have their revenge. Whether it be Jigsaw, Manslaughter Marsdale, Man Mountain Marko or the truly-terrifying Waxman, this sub-plot genuinely pulls few punches in its portrayal of the former West Coast Avenger duking it out against some of the most brutal members of his Rogue’s Gallery, and repeatedly requires illustrator Alessandro Cappuccio to be at the very top of his game sketching the increasing fatigue Khonshu’s avatar is simultaneously fighting. Indeed, the cowled crimefighter’s visible concern at an insanely irate goo-bodied human mutate attempting to smother him is truly palpable.

Furthermore, the Canadian author even manages to imbue Zodiac’s chaotic penitentiary break from the Myrmidon Prison with some additional super-villainous vibes, courtesy of the mysterious Black Spectre himself making an impressive appearance towards to conclusion. This epilogue, prodigiously pencilled by Partha Pratim, is particularly well-penned due to its inclusion beautifully bookending the entire publication by showing just what price the pitiable Keith Burrough had to pay for having his ex-wife permanently disappear from his life at the comic's very beginning.

Perhaps however, this book’s biggest win is the sense of redemption felt for Jeff Hagees, who heroically returns to a near-dead Moon Knight’s side, so as to save him from the suffocating clutches of Waxman. Initially viewed by this comic’s audience as an untrustworthy D-list criminal, Eight-Ball’s resolve to be better than people think of him sensationally comes completely out of the blue, and doubtless even caused the odd reader to involuntarily cheer the failed bank robber on as he aids a badly bloodied Spector back up on his feet.

Writer: Jed MacKay, and Artists: Partha Pratim, Alessandro Cappuccio & Alessandro Vitti