Moon Knight: City Of The Dead #5 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD No. 5, January 2024

Containing a truly sugar-sweet finale in which the titular character not only eventually saves the soul of poor Khalil Nasser, but also somehow manages to get the lonely orphan’s dead brother resurrected, David Pepose’s narrative for Issue Five of “Moon Knight: City Of The Dead” certainly seems to do a good job in tying up all the mini-series’ numerous past plot-threads. However, the fact that this “thrilling conclusion” only comes to a successful end due to the young boy dying – something which the Fist of Khonsu has desperately been trying to prevent since this adventure began – may well have bewildered or disconcerted the vast majority of its audience. Indeed, considering that the adolescent’s body actually contains the essence of the Mighty Osiris, the all-powerful ruler of the City of the Dead, many a fan of the Lunar Legionnaire was probably expecting Marc Spector’s character to somehow work out a much less grim way to release the Egyptian deity from its ‘physical prison’.

Furthermore, it’s arguably difficult to imagine that a fair few readers weren’t bitterly disappointed by the all-too short-lived nature of “Jackal Knight’s ultimate ascendance” causing the real world to suffer a supernatural incursion of the Marvel Universe’s most notorious dead super-villains. This tantalisingly peek into the ‘real world’ affairs of Tigra and Hunter’s Moon sadly only lasts a handful of phantom-filled panels. Yet could have so easily been expanded into one the New York City-based publisher’s famous, multi-book Summer events, such as “Blood Hunt” - with the likes of Death Adder, Jack O’Lantern, (the original) Kraven the Hunter and the Nazi vampire Baron Blood all rematerializing as green-hued ghostly apparitions to terrorise the population; “Does the Avengers Handbook say anything about zombie invasions.?”

Setting such quibbles aside though, the American author’s storyline for this twenty-page periodical should still be regarded as something of a success. Artist Marcelo Ferreira’s splash page of Moon Knight’s other persona emerging to battle alongside the Scarlet Scarab in a last stand against overwhelming odds is debatably worth this periodical’s cover price alone. Whilst Spector’s decision to defeat his brother’s vain belief that the masked vigilante has had an easier life as a mercenary than him is satisfying resolved, when Marc takes his delinquent sibling on an emotional, roller-coaster ride through the crime-fighter’s tragic history.

Writer: David Pepose, Penciler: Marcelo Ferreira, and Inker: Jay Leisten

Moon Knight: City Of The Dead #4 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD No. 4, December 2023

Disconcertingly depicting Marc Spector (once again) relieving his origin in becoming the Fist of Khonshu and battling the ghost of Raoul Bushman, many a bibliophile probably felt this fourth instalment to David Pepose’s “Moon Knight: City Of The Dead” mini-series was a bit of a filler issue. In fact, it’s hard to shake the impression that the American author couldn’t have simply reached this particular comic’s cataclysmic conclusion with just a mere handful of pages or less, rather than use the cowled crime-fighter’s mental doubts and emotional insecurities to pad out an entire twenty-page periodical; “You may think of yourself as a monster… But you should know… I forgave you a long time ago.”

To make matters even more bemusing though, this book’s secondary plot-thread features Layla El-Faouly rather unimaginatively just flying across the mythical Egyptian metropolis, determined to reach the Gates of Osiris before her poor young ward expires. Admittedly, this headlong dash through toppling tower blocks and the shifting sands makes for a pulse-pounding experience. But its pacing is so intrinsically linked to that of the titular character’s haunted recollections of murder, collateral damage and death that the chase sequence arguably feels like it's only been penned to help break up the monotony of Spector’s sedentary storyline.

Indeed, it will debatably have come as no surprise to any within this publication’s audience, that Moon Knight somehow manages to recover his wits and successfully slice his way out of the gigantic Ammut the Devourer’s bloated belly at precisely the same moment a badly battered Scarlet Scarab finally falls to the ground just a few feet away from her goal. This ending is sadly ‘telegraphed’ straight from the comic’s opening, and resultantly there’s rarely a moment where either super-hero genuinely feels as if they’re in peril – even when Marc imagines receiving a loaded hand-gun from his god and makes a suicidal move to end his own life.

Much more enthralling than this book’s narrative is probably therefore its artwork with returning illustrator Marcelo Ferreira doing a first-rate job in providing many of ghouls and demons the mentally-scarred vigilante encounters with plenty of gruesomeness. In addition, there’s a real sense of speed to El-Faouly racing across the sky, and hefty impact to all the tall buildings crashing into one another as she passes them by.

Writer: David Pepose, Penciler: Marcelo Ferreira, and Inker: Jay Leisten

Moon Knight: City Of The Dead #3 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD No. 3, November 2023

Whilst few fans of Marc Spector’s cowl-wearing alter-ego will surely disagree with "Marvel Worldwide" that “the First of Khonsu brings the fireworks in this action-packed new chapter”, it is similarly difficult to believe many followed the comic’s word-heavy storytelling without needing to reread certain panels, pages and even entire set-pieces. Furthermore, the executive decision to have Sean Damien Hill ‘step in’ as penciler doesn’t debatably do the publication any favours either, with the Alexandria-born illustrator’s style seemingly struggling to convey much of eye-catching spectacle needed for a story set in the Egyptian City of the Dead.

Indeed, despite the American artist doing a stellar job of imbuing Moon Knight’s dastardly brother with all the dynamic villainy a bibliophile might expect from a despot bitterly twisted by his ghastly demise in the real world – including being able to instantaneously summon a veritable army of green-hued ghostly minions, the “character designer” frustratingly draws Ammut the Devourer as simply an unimpressive-looking crocodile with a mane of dark green hair. This lack of deity-like detail for the giant Sphinx arguably fails to sell much of the demon-beast’s menace, especially when the creature’s surprisingly thin, somewhat floundering figure is repeatedly sketched up against a boring, disappointingly bare background.

Perhaps what makes this mini-series’ instalment most disheartening though is David Pepose’s decision to populate every situation with numerous thought-boxes containing Spector’s plans, feelings and the history of whoever the costumed crime-fighter is currently confronting. Ordinarily, this technique would probably have landed rather well. But because the smart-mouthed vigilante, as well as the rest of the cast, are also all persistently talking and hurling wisecracks, it soon becomes frustratingly unclear as to which balloon or bubble the audience needs to read so as to follow the correct flow of the action; “Because if there’s one thing I’m good at… It’s coming up with bad ideas.”

Despite all these criticisms and complaints however, there is still plenty to enjoy with the former “Newsrama” editor’s penmanship. The way Spector and his beloved Layla El-Faouly outwit the Jackal Night’s numerous henchmen is quite convincing, as is the revelation that everything is going sour within the City of the Dead because Osiris has decided to once again pay a visit to the Land of the Living. Indeed, even the schizophrenic entrepreneur’s sacrifice at the end of the comic makes perfect sense as a last gamble to ensure his mission is an overall a success. Yet sadly, much of the book’s impact is ultimately lost through the aforementioned gripes and groans.

Writer: David Pepose, Penciler: Sean Damien Hill, and Inker: Jay Leisten

Moon Knight: City Of The Dead #2 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD No. 2, October 2023

Revelling in a series of somewhat surprising and horrific revelations, David Pepose’s script for Issue Two of “Moon Knight: City Of The Dead” should certainly have kept its audience completely captivated. Indeed, every time a reader probably felt they finally had a grip on Marc Spector’s bizarre adventures down in the Egyptian-flavoured afterlife, the American author throws them a wicked curveball - Whether it be the terrifying reason behind why the Jackals are killing runaways in the real world, or just how much the titular character can actually trust his now deceased lover Layla El-Faouly.

To begin with however, the “award-winning writer of Punisher” provides an instant hook by showing the “Lunar Legionnaire” and Scarlet Scarab ransacking a rather anachronistic night club packed full of tommy-gun toting ushabti bodyguards. This marvellously manic punch-up not only shows just how determined the former U.S. Marine is in locating the lost soul of young runaway Khalil Nasser. But also allows them to demonstrate just what transformational powers his “unlikely source for aid” wields as protector of the grisly metropolis.

Intriguing though, having shown just how formidable the pair can be when fighting back-to-back, such a scintillating action sequence additionally makes El-Faouly’s subsequent shocking betrayal all the more impactive. In fact, despite the Fist of Khonshu encountering an entire “murderers’ row of dead super villains who he helped put in the ground”, there still seems to be every chance that Spector will survive the deadly ambush as long as Layla has his back; “I wish I could have saved you too. Turns out you were right. This really was like Damascus after all.”

Standing right alongside Pepose with such intense storytelling, and adding plenty of “Kroom”, “Brakka” and “Whudd” for your buck whilst he’s at it, is Marcelo Ferreira. The Brazilian penciler definitely brings his ‘A-game’ to this twenty-page periodical, to the point where some onlookers may well actually be able to hear the sound of bullets winging past Moon Knight’s constantly moving form, or feel their surroundings shake as a modern-day truck somehow comes crashing straight through one of the walls of the City Of The Dead, and sends all the combatants flying for cover.

Writer: David Pepose, Penciler: Marcelo Ferreira, Inker Jay Leisten, and Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Moon Knight: City Of The Dead #1 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD No. 1, September 2023

Energetically advertised by its New York City-based publisher as featuring “the debut of the new Scarlet Scarab”, David Pepose’s opening instalment to “Moon Knight: City Of The Dead” probably deserved to be the twelfth best-selling comic of July 2023. In fact, the thirty-page periodical is so packed full of various pulse-pounding proceedings, such as the heart-wrenching demise of adolescent Khalil Nasser at the hands of a cold-blooded cult or Marc Spector’s horrifying excursion down to a dismally dark place “where souls go to be judged”, that it’s arguably pretty near a perfect example of proficient penmanship.

Foremost of these successes is debatably the mini-series’ initial set-up, which sees a poor young street orphan being brutally gunned down during a sadistic sacrificial rite in an alleyway. So tragically sad an event on its own may well have been enough to see the titular character risk all by travelling to an ancient Egyptian afterlife. But the “former crime reporter turned Ringo Award-winning comic book creator” ramps up the masked crime-fighter’s angst ten-fold by having his comrade-in-arms, Doctor Badr, take him on an additional guilt trip over the boy’s violent death.

Just as well written though, is how disconcertingly big Moon Knight’s destination appears to be, with the author even touching upon the heavily-built monuments, luxurious palaces and numerous multi-story buildings being home to “a thousand generations” of the dead. So grand a metropolis would be impressive enough in its own right. However, the sheer scale of the land is broadened even further when the reader is shown just what sort of Crocodilian monster stalks just beneath the surface of the sand dunes outside the city’s walls; “N-No -- I take it all back! P–Please -- Anything but this -- !”

Undeniably adding plenty of dynamic energy to all these sense-shattering shenanigans is Marcelo Ferreira, who does a terrific job in depicting Spector’s emotions as he tries to hunt down Nasser’s lost spirit. Ably aided by the likes of inker Jay Leisten and color artist Rachelle Rosenberg, the Brazilian illustrator also imbues the faces of Marc’s foes with some genuine-looking terror - especially once it becomes clear to the would-be child-murderers that the “Lunar Legionnaire” can take a punch as well as dish them out.

Writer: David Pepose, Penciler: Marcelo Ferreira, Inker Jay Leisten, and Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Blood Hunt: Red Band #5 - Marvel Comics

BLOOD HUNT: RED BAND No. 5, September 2024

Despite comprising of more tie-in issues and spin-off limited series than your average Marvelite can shake a pointy stick at, this final instalment of “Blood Hunt” probably still felt somewhat rushed to many of its readers in July 2024. True, the super-sized thirty-three page periodical does manage to pull many of its numerous plot-threads together for a sort of satisfying resolution. But, having an infected Miles Morales prove to be the improbable hero of the day, when the likes of the mighty Thor, invincible Iron Man and Captain Marvel appear disconcertingly impotent, is arguably a bit of a head scratcher; “I had only one weakness, Avengers. The girl. The bloodline. And she’s not here.”

Furthermore, it’s not entirely clear whether Stephen Strange’s “dread bargain” with Doctor Doom actually has any impact upon the final result. Having successfully stabbed a possessed Blade through the chest with a sword, many a bibliophile probably felt the battle was already won, and that once the Daywalker was free of Varnae’s malign influence the Darkforce surrounding our planet would return to its own dimension. However, before such an event can occur Victor casts his pre-fall Atlantean spell, supposedly brings sunlight back to the half the world, and diabolically solidifies his stance as” Earth’s new, Superior Sorcerer Supreme” – which somewhat cynically leads into another “Marvel Worldwide” major event “coming in November…”

For those onlookers able to ignore these quibbles though, Jed MacKay’s penmanship certainly still delivers a pulse-pounding experience, with much of this comic focusing upon the Avengers' fisticuffs against the dread Bloodcoven. These toe-to-toe confrontations between some of the publisher’s most popular protagonists is genuinely enthralling, especially when the God of Thunder manages to finally summon Mjolnir whilst battling the first of all vampires.

Equally up to the task of pencilling all this adrenalin-charged action is Pepe Larraz, who should genuinely cause a few painful gasps from those witnessing poor Vision losing a limb in a truly horrific manner to Bloodstorm One. In addition, ably supported by color artists Marte Gracia and Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, the Spanish illustrator impressively manages to imbue the scenes featuring Doctor Strange with a noticeably different, though far from off-putting, ambience, which speaks of the ancient and powerful magic being depicted in the panels.

The regular cover art to "BLOOD HUNT" #5 by Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia

Moon Knight [2021] #30 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 30, February 2024

In view that this thirty-page plot essentially just focuses upon the last few moments of Moon Knight’s life as he painfully crawls towards the Black Spectre’s sound machine of death, many a reader must surely have been pretty impressed with just how pulse-poundingly paced the publication was. Indeed, as much as Robert Plesko’s explanation as to his sinister scheme steadily holds the interest, it is arguably a bleeding out Marc Spector’s agonising journey across the evil doctor’s floor which proves particularly spell-binding, with every excruciating inch travelled on his belly making the audience wince with sympathy – as literally every second of this journey takes a physical toll.

Furthermore, the frustrated fury of Tigra and the rest of the titular characters’ friends desperately trying to reach him before his end also adds an extra element of urgency to Jed MacKay’s well-penned proceedings. The utter despair felt by the former West Coast Avenger as she savagely turns upon her comrades-in-arms is genuinely palpable, and impressively makes matters even more tense as valuable moments tick by whilst she berates the likes of Soldier for his supposed shortcomings; “Turn into mist and get up there - - Marc needs us! Then what good are you? He’s going to die, Badr! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

Debatably this comic’s biggest surprise though arrives with Zodiac making a shocking deal with the Midnight Mansion so as to save the serial killer’s life in return for avenging Spector’s death. Once it becomes clear that the murderous maniac’s sole future ambition is to brutalise Plesko for ruining his own plans concerning the "Lunar Legionnaire", the sinister House of Shadows appears perfectly willing to release its captive. Admittedly, this agreement does mean that both of Moon Knight’s arch-foes are still breathing following his sad demise. But it is clear from Black Spectre’s horrified face that he certainly won’t enjoy whatever the masked anarchist has in store for him.

Undeniably imbuing the “explosive conclusion” to this Battle of the Mount are Alessandro Cappuccio’s layouts. The Italian illustrator manages to let all this book’s considerable cast wear their hearts upon their sleeves, so it’s always evident even to the most casual of bibliophiles just what emotion Reese or Hunter’s Moon are feeling. Of particular note is the artist’s prodigious pencilling during a tender flashback to when the Fist of Khonshu first bonded with his fellow crime-fighters, and how these relationships have only strengthened through time and adversity.

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

Moon Knight [2021] #29 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 29, January 2024

As penultimate issues go, Jed MacKay’s narrative for “The Final Hours Of Moon Knight” certainly must have had its audience completely hooked from the comic’s blood-splattered opening through to its wonderful reveal at its end. Sure, the twenty-page periodical’s never-ending pulse-pounding pace does debatably prove a tad tiring once Marc Spector has seemingly defeated the latest incarnation of the Black Spectre in a brutal fist-fight. But many a bibliophile should quickly gain a second wind when the Canadian writer savagely shows Ryan Trent to have merely been a diversionary tactic of the real McCoy.

Much of this book’s success is undeniably down to just how well the various sub-plots are all threaded together, with the likes of Hunter's Moon, Tigra and Reese’s diabolical predicaments being perfectly progressed alongside the author’s central storyline. These secondary sequences, with the exception of Greer Nelson’s rescue by Soldier, are just as gory as the Fist of Khonshu’s battle, and all contain more than a modicum of danger for the various protagonists concerned; “Boss said you smelled the bomb. I can’t do that. If it had been me here, I’d have gotten the boss blown up.”

Furthermore, all of the confrontations are apparently resolved at similar times, resulting in the reader fully believing that all of the protagonists are going to come together on the top floor of the Black Spectre’s base of operations for a celebratory conclusion. Disconcertingly though, this euphoric feeling of a well-deserved victory lasts as long as it takes Moon Knight to be riddled with the entire contents of a six-shooter, and the multi-storey building’s dramatic detonation – a terrific twist which comes completely out of the blue.

Likewise, there’s plenty of dynamic, action-packed panels to keep any onlooker well and truly hooked, courtesy of some cracking pencilling by Federico Sabbatini. Working in tandem with colour artist Rachelle Rosenberg, the Italian Illustrator does a first-rate job in depicting just how downright ruthless and unrelenting the close combat is in this comic, with Spector’s very noticeable ‘wear and tear’ increasingly catching the eye as the former West Coast Avenger desperately continues to fight for survival against a plethora of substantial physical injuries.

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

Moon Knight [2021] #28 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 28, December 2023

It’s hard to imagine many “Moonies” being disappointed with Jed MacKay’s meticulous dismantling of Marc Spector’s super-powered ‘family’ in Issue Twenty Eight of “Moon Knight”, considering just how well he whittles them down one by one. Indeed, in many ways this nineteen-page plot is perfectly penned as the Canadian author launches the likes of Hunter’s Moon, Eight-Ball and Tigra head-first against a formidable array of Black Spectre’s minions, and then starts methodically isolating them with all manner of mayhem and mishaps; “You got us where we needed to be -- Your job’s done. Lie low until it’s safe.”

Foremost of these sensational subplots is debatably that surrounding Greer Nelson, who may strike the odd bibliophile as being a surprising choice for a strike force against a well-defended multi-storey building when the clock is literally ticking. Admittedly, the were-creature has been “a prominent member of the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” in the past, and undoubtedly has significant fighting experience. But ultimately the highly acrobatic meta-human is only effective in close combat, whereas the abandoned vampire Reese “can [at least] turn to smoke”, and this weakness is soon highlighted when the ex-Avenger unwittingly steps onto a floor bomb.

Delightfully however, “The Last Days Of Moon Knight” isn’t just about Spector’s full-on assault of the Mount either, courtesy of MacKay squeezing in some ‘screen time’ for Zodiac nonchalantly wandering up to the Midnight Mission armed with a serious-looking crossbow. This momentary diversion, coupled with a few complimentary flashback sequences, help to break up what would otherwise be a ferocious, full-on assault upon the reader’s senses, without either slowing the action down too much, or completely throwing the audience out of the moment.

Lastly, artist Federico Sabbatini and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg definitely deserve a round of applause for adding an extra element or two to this comic’s storytelling. The sheer savagery of the tale’s claustrophobic confrontations are visualised with tremendous gusto, causing any onlookers to doubtless either wince when the titular character shocking takes a long blade in his back, or give a soft sigh as Tigra looks longingly after her boyfriend as he hares off to face the Black Spectre before the mysterious maniac’s “apocalyptic schemes bear fruit.”

Writer: Jed MacKay, and Artists: Federico Sabbatini & Rachelle Rosenberg

Moon Knight [2021] #27 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 27, November 2023

Neatly demonstrating that Marc Spector’s schizophrenia can actually be a considerable strength given the right conditions, this ‘deep-dive’ into the mind of a physically comatose Vibro must surely have landed reasonably well with this ongoing series’ audience when published in September 2023. Of course, much of this comic’s pulse-pounding pugilism predominantly sits with Yehya Badr rather than the (true) Fist of Khonshu. But both the titular character and his multiple personalities have a much more intriguing role to play in Issue Twenty Seven of “Moon Knight” than simply socking super-villains in the jaw; “I need a few more minutes to talk to Alton. Can you hold them off?”

Indeed, the notion of a hero managing to verbally encourage “the last part of a good man” left inside the head of a vengeful criminal so that it will stand up to their numerous darker aspects is extremely compelling, and whilst unresolved within the confines of this twenty-page periodical’s plot, definitely leaves the reader with the hope that Vibreaux will somehow single-handedly manage to successfully “fight back against what I’ve become.”

Likewise, Jed MacKay’s prodigious penmanship does a good job in giving Steven Grant and Jake Lockley plenty to do in this book, courtesy of the unlikely duo being asked to interrogate a clearly terrified Alton as to what the diabolical Black Spectre’s perfidious master plan actually is, and where the mass-murderer’s secret headquarters is located. Both aspects of Moon Knight clearly have a different attitude towards whether Marc should inform the likeable geologist as to his true fate when he catastrophically fell into the San Andreas Fault – even at a time when the entirety of Manhattan’s population might be in dire danger, and these conflicting opinions genuinely helps separate the two personas from one another 

Quite wonderfully working hand-in-glove with the Canadian writer is Federico Sabbatini, who alongside colour artist Rachelle Rosenberg, provides this comic with some stunning visuals. In fact the aforementioned scrap involving Doctor Badr, as well as a fair few punches thrown by Spector himself, are so dynamically drawn that many a "Moonie" will actually hear the grunts and groans of a badly-beaten Vibro as he’s repeatedly battered throughout his own brain.

Writer: Jed MacKay, and Artists: Federico Sabbatini & Rachelle Rosenberg

Moon Knight [2021] #26 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 26, October 2023

Taking the risk of focusing his entire twenty-page narrative upon secondary cast compatriot Yehya Badr rather than this comic’s titular character, Jed MacKay’s script for “Personality Crisis” should certainly have generated plenty of interest and intrigue in the anti-hero Hunter’s Moon. Indeed, the notion of a (second) Fist of Khonshu armed with both the knowledge, as well as actual ghostly forms, of his long-dead predecessors arguably makes for an enthralling combination – especially when the Neanderthal-born original servant of his Egyptian deity now appears able to wrest total control of the good doctor and turn him into a raging, murderous cave-man. 

Of course, that isn’t to say that Marc Spector’s alter-ego isn’t at least mentioned in this publication, or that the ongoing series’ overriding storyline concerning Black Spectre’s plan to murder him doesn’t develop either. But both story threads are notably progressed in the background via some ‘off the cuff’ chit chat as opposed to any visible ‘on screen’ action, with the recently resurrected physician’s altercation deep underground in Subterranea clearly taking central stage; “Hrn. I never did ask what Commodore Planet had you doing.” 

Furthermore, despite intermingling the faithful zealot’s well-penned battle against the professional geoscientist-turned-villain Vibro with some dialogue-heavy discussions in Andrea Sterman’s office, the Canadian author still manages to have this comic maintain a pretty impressive pace. In fact, in addition to the therapy session stressing just how concerned Badr has become with losing his mind to Moon Knight 1,000,000 B.C. The conversational piece also allows the high priest to fairly speedily set up his fist-fight against Alton Vibereaux, so the complete encounter, along with Yehya’s surprising adoption of an entourage of the Mole Man’s minions, can be rather impressively encapsulated within the space of a single issue.

Similarly as scintillating is debatably Federico Sabbatini’s sketches, which provide a marvellous contrast between the precise, professional behaviour of Hunter’s Moon when he’s stiffly sat in front of Sterman with the shockingly savage aggression the costumed crime-fighter adopts bloodily battering Black Spectre’s latest super-powered stooge. Along with colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, the Italian illustrator is also very good at pencilling the aforementioned caveman’s spirit overriding Badr’s personality so the vigilante can mercilessly batter his shocked foe unconscious.

Writer: Jed MacKay, and Artists: Federico Sabbatini & Rachelle Rosenberg

Moon Knight [2023] Annual #1 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT ANNUAL No. 1, August 2023

It's probably pretty easy to see just why Stephanie Phillips’ "Contest of Chaos" crossover storyline “received mixed to negative reviews from critics” if the plot to this particular “Moon Knight” annual is indicative of the overarching narrative’s questionable quality. For whilst Jed MacKay’s script undeniably contains a high-octane skirmish between the titular character and lesser-known South Korean super-hero Taegukgi, the context for the confrontation, along with some bizarre jumps through various multiple-universe hoops, arguably makes for an utterly exhausting experience; “What the hell is happening to me? Was I a Mummy?”

To begin with the entire “power-packed showdown” is created by both protagonists supposedly being drawn to the New Jersey Pine Barrens by a load of mysterious, mind-bending Etsium crystals. This contrivance in itself is pretty unconvincing – especially as it means Tae-Won must travel over six and a half thousand miles to reach his destination and apparently cross into American airspace without permission. But debatably becomes even more manufactured when “Tiger Division's fearless leader” tries to take some moral high ground as to the Fist of Khonshu being the one who is “a long way from home.”

Disappointingly, Agatha Harkness’ rejuvenated presence doesn’t seemingly work for this yarn either, with the “ancient and formidable sorceress” repeatedly breaking the ‘Fourth Wall’ in order to explain to the audience what is actually going on. This rather clunkily-delivered monologue quite quickly starts to grate upon the senses, as it repeatedly throws the reader out of any moment the quite lively, publication-long punch-up occasionally generates, and predominantly makes little sense anyway – unless any perusing bibliophile is particularly interested in the witch’s class on “pure, uncut chaos magic [being] accreted into physical form” or Marc Spector becoming “the patricidal God of the Moon” having taken his title from “the father he murdered.”

With all this in mind though, the layouts for this comic book event’s fourth instalment are prodigiously pencilled by Creees Lee and coloured by Arif Prianto. Between them the artists provide Don Perlin’s co-creation with an especially impressive-looking costume, and certainly give the twenty-two page periodical a genuinely surreal moment when a beheaded Immortal Moon Knight is beaten senseless with his own severed arm by an anthropomorphic Taegukgi.

Writer: Jed MacKay, Artist: Creees Lee, and Color Artist: Arif Prianto

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

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

MOON KNIGHT No. 25, September 2023

Cramming an incredible amount of dialogue-driven intrigue, nerve-wracking tension, and a genuinely enthralling flashback to a time when Marc Spector lead a mercenary crew known as the Karnak Cowboys, Jed MacKay’s script for this oversized epic’s opening half must surely have had most within the comic’s audience on the edge of their seats within the space of a few pages. Indeed, despite most of the action at this stage being largely reliant upon the titular character’s “last ride” in the Arab Republic of Egypt some twelve years past, the numerous twists and turns also depicted inside the Myrmidon Prison and on Hart Island should certainly have entirely ensnared all except the most causal of browsing bibliophiles. 

Perhaps for obvious reasons, the greatest pull is probably the aforementioned assault in Alexandria, which heralds a welcome historic look back at the days when the future Fist of Khonshu was working shoulder-to-shoulder with Jean-Paul Duchamp. Admittedly, prodigious penciller Alessandro Vitti is not asked to pair the duo up all that much during their mission to kidnap Doctor Christopher Bousquet. But the professionally precise nature of the team’s gun-play is arguably an example of the medium’s adrenalin-fuelled entertainment at its best; “The bathroom fan is on, you absolute amateurs.”

For those readers requiring more of a build-up then Moon Knight’s surprising partnership with Eight-Ball should almost certainly have them covered, as the duo covertly infiltrate Black Spectre’s night-time hideaway. Of particular note is Alessandro Cappuccio’s ability to imbue the bank robber with a cue ball on his head with an impressive amount of both personality and humour; especially once the anxious Jeff Hagees’ nervousness gets the better of him and he is revealed to be a traitor, unwillingly on the payroll of Spector’s latest nemesis.

Finally, MacKay proficiently pens several scenes set within the penitentiary “revamped by Mayor Wilson Fisk” and featuring the enigmatic Zodiac. Determined to remain Marc’s arch-enemy, the American Anarchist provides a slightly slapstick, erratic foil to the silky-smooth suaveness of Steven Grant’s persona, which leaves the audience in absolutely no doubt that the unhinged maniac is perfectly likely to kill his mysterious rival for the lunar legionnaire’s attention if given even a fleeting chance.

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

Moon Knight [2021] #24 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 24, August 2023

There should probably be little argument that Jed MacKay’s storyline for Issue Twenty-Four of “Moon Knight” is somewhat different from the norm, considering that it quite neatly intermixes a number of hallucinogenic visions with the former West Coast Avenger’s exploration of a multi-storey building in the real world. But sadly, when the central premise of a book is to have the Fist of Khonshu basically just climb up a few stairs and then find a dying “old enemy” curled up in a dark corner, these psychedelic trips can debatably be seen as being nothing more than mere padding to help fill out the twenty-page publication; “You’re insane, you know that? How about this? Endless violence. Does that make you happy?”

Indeed, by the time Marc Spector’s alter-ego encounters a nightclub in which a surprisingly happy Jake Lockley is holding a big party, the more critical minded members of this comic’s audience may well be thinking that the Canadian author had already run out of ideas for Morpheus’ day-dreams, and was simply throwing notions against a wall to see what successfully stuck. Certainly, there appears to be little rhyme or reason to some of the subsequent visualisations, such as when the “Lunar Legionnaire” savagely smacks Captain America straight in the mouth following the First Avenger illogically welcoming him back to the Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Perhaps therefore the most fun to be had out of “Ill Met By Moonlight” comes with the zany, tongue-in-cheek interlude featuring the Mighty Mail-Man and his short-wearing sidekick, the Precocious Postie. Apparently determined to deliver the post through a demon-infested, post-apocalyptic landscape, this mirage would surely have made a much more fascinating, pulse-pounding plot than the numerous hollow intermissions which surround it, had it been given much more sheet space.

Bringing a little Anime-like animation to parts of this comic’s layouts is Federico Sabbatini, who seemingly does the best he can with what little the script provides. The Italian illustrator definitely delivers an eye-catching Moon Knight, resplendent in his white cape and cowl. However, a lot of his backgrounds, such as the sequence staged at Grant Manor are rather bland and lack-lustre, and do little to hold the attention as the panels progress.

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

Moon Knight [2021] #23 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 23, July 2023

Brazenly declaring that this twenty-page periodical depicts “Moon Knight and Venom fighting side by side”, Jed MacKay’s script for “Panic Room” certainly seems to live up to the comic’s pre-publication promise. Indeed, the story’s opening, featuring the unlikely duo battling together against the likes of Tangle, Eel, Blitz, and Thermite within the mind-bending Midnight Mansion is arguably as good a methodical lesson in collaborative crime-fighting tactics as any perusing bibliophile could want.

Disappointingly though, what then follows the defeat of the Enforcers isn’t debatably anywhere near as good, with Dylan Brock’s alter-ego seemingly all-too easily directing Marc Spector straight to the secret headquarters of Sidney Sarnak. Admittedly, the Fist of Khonshu was going to need to locate the super-villain’s hideout at some point. But the sheer serendipity involved in the alien symbiote innocuously complaining about not being up to full-strength on account of the city being plagued with a series of weird sonic frequencies, at the same time as Doug Moench’s co-creation is looking for just such a noise-based source, sadly smacks a bit too much of lethargic longhand.

Ultimately however, the greatest displeasure must surely come with this book’s conclusion, where the Canadian author distressingly decides to have “The Ghost In The Telephone” simply surrender himself to the authorities rather than provide any sort of defence against the titular character whatsoever. This infuriating finale is anti-climactic at best, especially when many a reader will doubtless have been anticipating a colossal punch-up involving Moon Knight and (an adolescent) Venom as they fight ‘tooth and claw’ throughout the mysterious criminal’s heavily-fortified centre of operations; “The Police were called as soon as you crossed the perimeter. I’m going to turn myself in. For all my crimes.”

Quite possibly also underwhelmed by MacKay’s sudden ending is Alessandro Cappuccio, whose layouts debatably becomes less measured as the action decreases, and the protagonists flee the imminent arrival of the authorities back onto the night time streets. This situation is particularly irritating as the Italian illustrator’s handling of the aforementioned fight with the Enforcers is first-rate and packed full of pulse-pounding pugilism. Yet, by the time Khonshu’s avatar has reached his final destination, the reader’s viewpoint is reduced to repeatedly looking through the darkness at a porthole into Sarnak’s safe room.

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

What If...? Dark: Moon Knight #1 - Marvel Comics

WHAT IF...? DARK: MOON KNIGHT No. 1, October 2023

Described by its New York City-based publisher as being part of “a new series of stories in the classic Marvel What If? tradition…but with a darker twist”, Erica Schultz’s narrative for Issue One of “What If…? Dark: Moon Knight” probably didn’t strike its audience as being any more morbid or tragic than many of the other publications set in the alternate reality “outside the mainstream Marvel Universe continuity.” Indeed, in many ways the American author’s main premise to simply replace Marc Spector as the avatar of an Egyptian deity with a witness to his brutal demise is arguably pretty standard stuff when it comes to Marvel’s long-running heritage; “I am Khonshu, Every decision has infinite outcomes… and not all outcomes are positive.”

Happily however, that doesn’t mean that what follows the masked mercenary’s death at the hands of Raul Bushman is simply a play by numbers plot, with “the first woman to write a Spawn comic” swapping out both the now deceased schizophrenic titular character and his sinister lunar god for girlfriend Marlene Alraune, and the hawk-headed divinity Ra. This somewhat surprising switch is well-written, and actually allows the ghost of Spector to lurk in the background of everything which the female history graduate later achieves in her role as Luminary – Whether it be battling thugs in dark alleyways or holding expensive events, such as an auction selling Burundan antiquities.

Furthermore, the former art director does a great job in depicting both the small African nation’s murderous General, and his similarly abhorrent subordinates, as the book’s central baddies. Of particular note is arguably the confrontation between Marc’s successor and a lieutenant from the Burunda People's Defense Force, which has all the satisfying hallmarks of a bully getting his just comeuppance at Alraune’s hands when the braggart least expects it.

Equally as entertaining are artist Edgar Salazar and colorist Arif Prianto, who together do a great job in depicting all the high-octane action (and quite considerable heartfelt grief) Schultz’s script requires. In fact, one of the highlights of this thirty-page one-shot is the sheer chaos crafted during its opening, where guns are blazing, numerous bullets whizzing and a helicopter dramatically landing, all whilst an understandably distracted Moon Knight is fending off the colourfully-costumed Bushman.

Writer: Erica Schultz, Artist: Edgar Salazar, and Color Artist: Arif Prianto

Murderworld: Moon Knight #1 - Marvel Comics

MURDERWORLD: MOON KNIGHT No. 1, April 2023

Brazenly boasting that “this penultimate chapter has some of the biggest twists yet”, Jim Zub and Ray Fawkes’ script for Issue One of “Murderworld: Moon Knight” certainly should have satisfied any bloodthirsty bibliophiles hoping to see the Fist of Khonshu savagely batter the few surviving competitors left in Arcade’s “life-or-death game of treachery and tragedy” into a pulpy mess. However, any readers eagerly anticipating that the former West Coast Avenger was genuinely going to appear within this comic’s twenty-page plot and potentially put an end to the insane super-villain’s deadly contest, were probably plenty disappointed; “In the name of the Moon, I’ll punish you!”

Indeed, for some reason the writing pair appear to have preferred to pen the “guy in a cape” as a bemusing mechanical singing simulacrum, who utters some truly trite dialogue, loaded with ham-fisted humour and the lyrics of Andy Williams’ song “Moon River”. True, some within this publication’s audience will doubtless have found this ‘tongue-in-cheek’ take a nice change of tone to an otherwise decidedly dark storyline - especially when the situation is swiftly blamed upon one of Arcade’s henchmen apparently having "trouble sourcing audio for Mister Knight.”. But it’s arguably still somewhat hard to take the deaths of this event’s leading cast even slightly seriously when their robot killer is so laughable.

What does definitely work though is the spotlight upon Marina Komarova, and the Hydra assassin’s mission to compete in Murderworld, “acquire all pertinent data, then destroy the facility and kill the staff so no one may use it” except her paramilitary terrorist organization. This character development even goes as far as to show the Russian agent going against her training to save Alex Benavides’ life, making the deadly hand-to-hand combatant actually quite likeable despite her master’s orders.

Italian illustrator Luca Pizzari also does a commendable job in imbuing all these shenanigans with plenty of pace and frankly, raw energy. Perhaps somewhat disconcertingly, the “freelance cartoonist” does pencil Arcade as looking rather like a Joker-clone, complete with massively oversized hand-gun, insane toothy smile, and flamboyantly-coloured waist-coat, tailored suit, and frilled shirt. Yet such a drawing-style also clearly adds lots of dynamic life and personality to the numerous figures he sketches, particularly whenever the panel zooms in on their emotional faces.

Writers: Jim Zub & Ray Fawkes, Artist: Luca Pizzari, and Color Artist: Matt Milla

Moon Knight [2021] #22 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 22, June 2023

Quite bravely putting the focus upon Greer Nelson rather than this comic’s titular character, Jed McKay certainly provides Issue Twenty Two of “Moon Knight” with a storyline which should have landed reasonably well with its audience in April 2023. True, the twenty-page plot lacks much in the way of pulse-pounding action. But in following the ex-West Coast Avenger’s instinctive investigation into the mysterious reappearance of the Midnight Man, the Canadian creator certainly seems to weave an intriguing tale about theft, puzzling calling cards, heart-breaking deceit and even unrecognised love; “And you lie to me? Make me feel like an idiot for trusting you?”

In addition, the author’s spotlight upon “the Were-Woman” and her adorable son, William Grant Nelson, provides the audience with an opportunity to actually see how the super-heroine is coping day-to-day having “flipped on the Avengers” for Marc Spector. This insight is genuinely well-penned, with such little details as the fur-covered pair’s claws ruining any chance of them ever getting their apartment deposit back making “the prominent member of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes” appear as credible as can arguably be expected for a humanoid cat.

Just as well written though has to be the momentary shift of the Fist of Khonshu as this book’s antagonist. Desperate for dosh following Zodiak stealing all his funds, the face-mask wearing vigilante’s initial plan to simply take money from the city’s various criminal organisations seems a reasonably acceptable vice – especially when the money is being used to “pay Reese, pay Soldier, pay for everything.” However, Moon Knight’s desire to keep this a secret from Tigra is clearly a betrayal of trust, and once again demonstrates just how good he is at hurting the people he cares deeply about.

Prodigiously pencilling so dialogue-driven a narrative is Alessandro Cappuccio, who somehow manages to make young William an incredibly cute little rascal. The Italian Illustrator is also extremely good at capturing the emotional pain running through Greer when she discovers just what her ‘new boyfriend’ has been hiding from her. This intensity really helps sell the woman’s strong thoughts and feelings to the reader, dynamically charging each panel she subsequently appears in whilst raging against Spector’s dishonesty.

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

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