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

Blood Hunt: Red Band #4 - Marvel Comics

BLOOD HUNT: RED BAND No. 4, August 2024

Arguably crammed full of more surprises than those found inside presents sat around a Christmas Tree, Jed MacKay’s narrative for Issue Four of “Blood Hunt” surely must have caused a few gasps of amazement in its audience – especially from those readers who had been struggling to keep up with the plethora of tie-in publications which separates this edition from its predecessor. Indeed, straight from the comic’s start events have clearly moved on somewhat since Blade miraculously slammed the Temple of the First Blasphemy smack into the middle of New York City, with both Stephen Strange and his wife Cleo shockingly appearing ‘cap-in-hand’ before Doctor Victor Von Doom in Doomstadt, Latveria.

To further confound and befuddle the readers’ senses though, within a handful of panels it is revealed that Eric Brooks is not in fact the traitor this unwholesome event has portrayed the Avenger to be. But has disconcertingly been possessed by Varnae, the first vampire ever to walk the planet. Such an admission is probably not too great a surprise to those bibliophiles more familiar with the Dhampir’s usual preference to stake any blood-drinker in sight. But the notion that “one who has survived the death of continents” intends to use the Daywalker as a vessel so he can merge with “an entire dimension of darkness” is impressively grandiose in design if nothing else.

Likewise the sub-plot of Hunter’s Moon teaming up with Tigra and the super-villainous Wrecker so as to free Khonshu from his prison on Asgard proves to be a real eye-opener. The resultant hordes of mummified “dead fists” pitching themselves headlong against every vampire across the globe is pulse-poundingly penned, and probably the stuff fans of the old Hammer House of Horror movies would die for; especially when the Moon God decides to seemingly also resurrect Marc Spector’s crime-fighting alter-ego simultaneously.

More than helping to sell all these story threads are Pepe Larraz and colour artist Marte Gracia, who together manage to imbue all the lead characters with the solemness or sparks of indignation an onlooker would expect from those living through such cataclysmic times. In fact, one of this comic’s best moments comes when Doctor Doom makes it clear to a truly startled Master Of The Mystic Arts that he had already foreseen the vampire’s planetwide upheaval, and taken plenty of steps to ensure his dictatorship was not affected by it; “Ah, the Darkforce. I have precautions for that as well, of course. It was only a matter of time, after all.”

The regular cover art to "BLOOD HUNT" #4 by Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia

Blood Hunt: Red Band #3 - Marvel Comics

BLOOD HUNT: RED BAND No. 3, August 2024

Disconcertingly containing barely a punch in anger, Jed MacKay’s dialogue-driven and somewhat sedentary storyline for Issue Three of “Blood Hunt” probably didn’t live up to the expectations of an audience whose desire to read more about Blade’s vampire uprising made the title the “top advance-reordered comic book” in early May 2024 (at least according to “Diamond Comic Distributors”). True, the twenty-one page periodical does contain a savage attack upon the Avengers by a brainwashed Miles Morales inside the supposedly safe Sanctum Sanctorum. But this ferocious ambush is quickly quelled once Clea Strange traps the fanged fiend within the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, and her deceased husband rids Spider-man of his devilish influence via the Eye of Agamotto.

Instead, the reader is subjected to several grand speeches throughout the Canadian writer’s script, with Sam Wilson’s twelve-panel tour-de-force as Captain America being the longest and most memorable of them. This repetitious rhetoric certainly has its place within the narrative, most notably poor Brielle Brooks’ reaction to discovering that her own father is at the heart of the planetary problem and discovering that Count Dracula plans for the young girl to assassinate her parent. However, to simply plonk one word-heavy discussion after another into a single edition completely saps any pace out of this publication’s plot, and quite literally leaves any bibliophile desperately wanting events to considerably move on just so both opposing forces can once again battle one another; “Do not presume to lecture me, Spider-Man, I will not let my one hope of victory just run away --”

Desperately trying to inject some energy into this lack-lustre lethargy is Pepe Larraz, who pencils some excellent shots of the chaos being caused by Blade's minions whilst Wilson waxes lyrical about the Avengers saying “No” to the vampires' demands. These pulse-pounding pictures cover a variety of locations, from Halifax and Manhattan through to the Sahara Desert and Mexico City, so resultantly do a good job of depicting the violence stretching right across the world. Yet, any momentum which they generate is then swiftly scotched by Carol Danvers spending what seems like an eternity singing Sam’s praises, and Eric Brooks unconvincingly having a major hissy fit because he feels the super-group should “lie down and die.”

The regular cover art to "BLOOD HUNT" #3 by Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia

Blood Hunt: Red Band #2 - Marvel Comics

BLOOD HUNT: RED BAND No. 2, July 2024

Pitching the surviving Avengers alongside Count Dracula himself in a highly unlikely team-up against a planetwide invasion of vampires, Jed MacKay’s script for Issue Two of “Blood Hunt” certainly seems to strike a much brighter note as to the Earth’s future fate than this summer event’s deeply dark preceding instalment. In fact, the absolute beating the likes of Bloodstorm One and Megrim take at the hands of Captain Marvel, the Vision and Captain America probably caused the odd reader to leap to their feet in order to cheer the protagonists on; “Here’s our philosophy: We have a lot to avenge.”

Enjoyably however, this twenty-one page periodical’s plot doesn’t simply rely upon an insane action sequence packed full of face-pummelling fisticuffs to entertain either, as the Canadian author also pens some intriguing plot progressions into the comic too – most notably the fact that Doctor Strange is still alive as a wandering spirit despite being disembowelled by Blade. These ‘quieter’ moments are especially impressive as they both provide the writer with an opportunity to bring any bibliophiles unwilling or unable to peruse the almost overwhelming number of tie-in titles bang up to speed with the overarching narrative, as well as provide a modicum of spotlight upon some of the Marvel Universe’s lesser known characters, such as Hunter’s Moon and the Daywalker’s daughter, Brielle Brooks.

Of course, it’s the aforementioned rematch between the “broken” Earth’s mightiest heroes and the Bloodcoven which most Marvelites will probably enjoy though. Having previously defeated the “all-star” supergroup, the vampiric villains are quick to forget that they had a distinct advantage over their opponents in their first fight, courtesy of a thorough briefing and the element of surprise. This time round the creatures of the night have no such benefits, and resultantly their arrogance is quickly silenced by the Vision’s ability to harness the power of solar energy.

Equally as intrinsic to this mini-series’ storytelling as MacKay’s contribution are the lavish layouts provided throughout by Spanish illustrator Pepe Larraz and Mexican colorist Marte Gracia. Together, the two artists genuinely depict a visual feast for the eyes, with perhaps Carol Danver’s socking Vlad Dracula’s gigantic clone squarely on the jaw being this apocalyptic publication’s most noteworthy smackdown.

The regular cover art to "BLOOD HUNT" #2 by Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia

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] #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] #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

Moon Knight [2021] #17 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 17, January 2023

Depicting Marc Spector’s white-hooded alter-ego at arguably the height of his power, Jed MacKay’s storyline for Issue Seventeen of “Moon Knight” must surely have caused many a fan of the millionaire entrepreneur to shout in triumph as he brutally batters the super-assassins Grand Mal and the Nemean. Indeed, despite having opened with the disconcerting scene of Tigra declaring that the titular character’s comrade-in-arms Doctor Badr is dead, this comic’s plot persistently then projects a series of successes which climaxes with the two West Coast Avengers confidently striding into the Structure’s vampire conclave; “It’s customary to show up to a party with presents -- and this is a party, isn’t it?”  

Admittedly, many of the Fist of Khonshu’s achievements do debatably belong at the feet of the masked vigilante’s “entity from another dimension”, which has more recently taken up residence as the Midnight Mission. However, that doesn’t necessarily detract from the hero’s ability to quite literally drag the “killers who beat him once already” straight into the House of Shadows’ very belly first. Furthermore, before the pair succumb to the psychological tortures of the ‘magical office space’ they are given a darn good thrashing by the Egyptian Moon God’s favoured son, courtesy of some hand-batons.

Intriguingly though, this twenty-page periodical’s plot isn’t just about portraying Moon Knight, and later a resurrected Hunter’s Moon, exacting their revenge upon their blood-drinking opponents either. But also dedicates the final fifth of the book to showing just how dominate the various vampire organisations across the world actually are, and just how insanely ambitious the Tutor has become. This disconcerting sense of global sovereignty becomes especially palpable once it becomes clear that with the sole exception of Count Dracula himself declining Kenneth’s invitation, the leader of New York City’s “massive cult-like Ponzi scheme” appears to have the attention of every Nosferatu leader on the planet.

Helping to make this comic as sensational-looking as the Midnight Mission’s shadow-filled corridors are spine-chillingly scary, at least for Grand Mal and the Nemean, are Alessandro Cappuccio’s layouts. The Italian artist does a prodigious job pencilling all the flesh-crawling horrors to befall Tutor’s minions, as well as noticeably adding some extra swagger to Spector and Tigra as they almost nonchalantly walk in upon the Structure’s grand ceremony wearing the very finest in formal attire.

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

Moon Knight [2021] #13 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 13, September 2022

Considering the sheer amount of conversational pieces covered within this twenty-page periodical as Jed MacKay’s script sedentarily saunters from one darkly-lit discussion to another, it may well have been difficult for its audience to initially imagine just how Marc Spector’s “war with the vampires of the Structure” was ever going to lure any new bibliophiles into perusing the ongoing series. But whilst Issue Thirteen of “Moon Knight” is undeniably assailed with word-heavy dialogue balloons from almost every angle, their contents and the comic’s incredibly creepy atmosphere makes the entire publication an impressively riveting read; “He’ll come at you faster than the speed of sound, go right through you and won’t care what it’ll do to him.”

For starters the book’s central plot concerning Tutor unsuccessfully trying to recruit the Taskmaster to kill the “Cowled Avenger” is mesmerizingly well-penned, courtesy of Anthony Masters talking about his potential target with both an incredible amount of respect and surprising trepidation. Such evident apprehension in a stone-cold killer who’d happily attempt to murder the likes of Spider-Man, Daredevil and Captain America, speaks absolute volumes for the reputation of the Fist of Khonshu. But also suggests the potential deadliness of the Structure’s own professional assassins, Nemean and Grand Mal, when they’re later assigned the mission.

Just as well delivered is the enthralling earnestness of Moon Knight to wipe his streets clean of criminally-inclined blood-drinkers. This silver-edged slaughter starts out simply enough with the “Crescent Crusader” staking out some prisoners just before sunrise so as to see whether one of them will tell him where their secret lair is. Somewhat shockingly, all of the fanged captives would apparently rather be fried alive than treacherously betray the Tutor. However, their sacrifice still sets a formidably-tense tone for the steel-like determination of Spector’s adversaries – something which is violently depicted later on when Marc skirmishes with some of the vampire leader’s more elite soldiers.

Working incredibly well alongside MacKay’s writing are Federico Sabbatini and colour artist Rachelle Rosenberg. Together, the creative duo provide some truly stellar-looking panels, most notably those showing the sun’s rays lancing across Moon Knight’s somewhat dishevelled costume, and then much later when the “Lunar Legionnaire” is mercilessly beheading a squad of supposedly immortal, automatic rifle-carrying hit-men.

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

Moon Knight [2021] #12 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 12, August 2022

Painting an intriguingly grim picture of the afterlife for the many previous incarnations of the Fist of Khonshu, Jed MacKay’s storyline for Issue Twelve of “Moon Knight” certainly seems to provide its audience with an exciting “final struggle for Marc Spector's soul in the Battle of the Midnight Mission.” Indeed, the ensuing fracas between Zodiac’s heavily armed mercenaries and a gaggle of the Egyptian God’s mummified minions is one of this ongoing series’ most memorable moments to date; “How. How the hell was I supposed to plan for this?! Damned zombie Moon Knights!!!”

Furthermore, the Canadian author pens a disconcertingly dark aspect to the costumed crime-fighter’s vampiric secretary Reese, who momentarily appears to completely lose herself to the ‘Red Rage’ when she realises her friend, Soldier, has been brutally gunned down by Terry’s villainous alter-ego. This “monster” adds an entirely new layer to the usually somewhat stiff, self-controlled character, and ably demonstrates just how narrow a tightrope the fanged office worker walks every night to maintain her sense of normality. 

Perhaps therefore this comic’s sole disappointment arguably comes at its conclusion when the Cowled Avenger surprisingly stops himself from killing his latest nemesis by swapping his current murderous personality for that of the much less aggressive Steven Grant. Sure, there’s an unwritten rule within comic book writing that super-heroes don’t intentionally kill their opponents, even ones as disconcertingly dark as MacKay’s current manifestation of Moon Knight. But to simply leave an astonished Zodiac impotently squirming on the floor after all the mayhem he has caused is debatably rather anti-climactic.

Minor quibble as to this publication’s ending aside however, a lot of its storytelling success also lies in the lap of Alessandro Cappuccio and the artist’s incredibly dynamic layouts. The sheer chaos depicted in the Italian illustrator’s splash pages depicting Khonshu’s former agents savagely shredding the cartel are absolutely breath-taking, and well-worth the cover price of this twenty-page periodical alone. Whilst, Zodiac’s infuriated body language as he watches his well-laid out plan for Spector go catastrophically awry is equally as captivating, and even manages to squeeze in some moments of humour during an otherwise ultra-intense fracas.

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

Moon Knight [2021] #11 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 11, July 2022

Whilst Issue Eleven of “Moon Knight” certainly starts out with a satisfying mixture of barbaric beatdowns and villainous comeuppances, the vast majority of Jed MacKay’s narrative may well have surprised many of this comic’s readers with it somewhat sedentary storyline. Happily however, despite the fact that all of the titular character’s interplay with his new arch-nemesis takes place over a personal phone, there is still plenty of nail-biting tension ‘on show’ between the two masked mavericks to keep this publication’s audience well and truly riveted.

Indeed, the moment Zodiac shows up outside the Midnight Mansion with a heavily-armed cartel and starts threatening to kill all of the haunted residence’s hapless neighbours in a number of horrible ways should Reese be unwilling to surrender herself to his tender mercies, it becomes clear that anything could happen within this tensely-penned twenty-page periodical – and somewhat shockingly does; “This is the path. But we’re not welcome. The way will be dangerous. So whatever you do, don’t stop running.”

Foremost of these surprises has to be Marc Spector’s decision to consult his former god, Khonshu, and beg the imprisoned Egyptian deity for assistance in his “race against time to save a life.” Bereft of his Mooncopter, his flying drone and even his Angle Wing, the superhero’s emotional upset at the deadly predicament of his vampiric secretary some seventy miles away leaps off of the printed page, to the point where even a perusing bibliophile can almost taste the desperation in the air as he drops to his knees in heavy-hearted supplication.

Nobly helping the Canadian writer pack his word-heavy script with as many eye-catchingly dynamic set-pieces as possible is Alessandro Cappuccio, whose slickly-pencilled series of panels depicting Moon Knight and his friends stealthily battering their way past Billy Russo’s henchmen in New Jersey, definitely sets a savage tone for the rest of the book. In fact, arguably one of the highlights to “The Killing Time” is the well-sketched physical tension between a distraught Reese and clearer-headed Soldier, who almost go toe-to-toe with one another inside Spector’s magical headquarters when the ex-Hydra operative attempts to stop her from going outside to face Zodiac alone.

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

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

Moon Knight [2021] #6 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 6, February 2022

Partially setting aside this ongoing series’ main narrative of the titular character being plagued by the maniacal machinations of the mysterious Zodiac, Jed MacKay’s script for Issue Six of “Moon Knight” actually focuses upon the rather intriguing origin story of Doctor Badr, and the Egyptian physician’s rebirth as “a worshipper of Khonshu.” However, rather than completely ‘sideline’ Marc Spector’s desperate battle to save “the reformed Hydra veteran nicknamed Soldier” from being cut to pieces, the Canadian author instead rather cleverly weaves the two different scenarios together so as to create an enthrallingly relevant tale of death and supernatural resurrection.

This merger is incredibly well-penned with Hunter Moon being busy both recounting his shockingly gory demise at the hands of a horde of blood-hungry vampires to a semi-conscious Fist of Khonshu, as well as carefully bandaging up his badly beaten patient’s wounds, and setting the bruised vigilante upon the road to reconciliation with the pair’s nocturnal deity; “And that is why I have borne you such animosity. What I spent my life longing for… You have thrown away like it was nothing.”

Furthermore, despite a good percentage of this comic consisting of “the god's second high priest” waxing lyrical as to the virtues of being an instrument of the "Shepherd of to the Lost", there’s still plenty of pulse-pounding pugilism on show to keep this book’s more action-orientated sated too. Admittedly, the West Coast Avenger isn’t actually the one dishing out the punishment, courtesy of being floored by the Midnight Mission’s fiery destruction and a subsequent beating at the hands of Zodiac. But Hunter Moon’s sudden appearance certainly makes up for that, as the anti-hero violently body slams the masked anarchist into the side of a car just as the merciless villain was about to ‘motivate’ Spector by mutilating a helpless Soldier.

Notably supporting MacKay with this twenty-page periodical is Alessandro Cappuccio, whose dynamic pencilling really helps sell the sheer sense of desperation in Reese as the vampire begs the man who has previously tried to kill her to help save her friend. This emotional sequence, atmospherically coloured by Rachelle Rosenberg, genuinely helps sell the rationale behind just why Badr would subsequently confront Zodiac, and use all his healing abilities to bring Moon Knight back from the brink of death.

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

Moon Knight [2021] #4 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT No. 4, December 2021

Proudly proclaiming “a guest appearance” by Tigra in both its pre-publication press release and stunning cover illustration by Steve McNiven, Jed McKay’s script for Issue Four of “Moon Knight” arguably lives up to its promise of providing the ex-Wackos with plenty of ‘screen time’ together. Yet whilst Greer Nelson’s character is definitely central to the main plot behind “Blackmail” by helping Marc Spector finally “look myself in the face” following his recent betrayal of “every friend I had on the Avengers on the say-so of an insane Moon God”, it is arguably a little disappointing that the pair don’t actually get to kick much ‘butt’ together during the adventure.

Happily however, that doesn’t mean for a moment that this comic’s titular character is in any way shy of throwing a punch, or hurling his deadly crescent moon blades single-handedly. Indeed, this twenty-page periodical’s highlight is debatably Moon Knight’s ferocious attack upon William Russo’s headquarters, and his subsequent battle with the facially-disfigured Jigsaw’s gun-toting henchmen. This action sequence is tremendously well-pencilled by Alessandro Cappuccio, and within the space of just ten panels aptly demonstrates just how acrobatically formidable the former West Coast Avenger actually is.

Likewise, the Canadian writer is very good at fleshing out the villain of the piece, and making Stuart Clarke actually appear capable of defeating Spector simply by ridding the costumed vigilante of the millions he has squirreled away to finance his “crime-fighting stuff.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, Rampage’s hold over the priest isn’t anywhere near as strong as the one-time hi-tech designer believes, as Marc genuinely doesn’t seem to care that his entire fortune is disappearing with every press of a button an increasingly panicky Clarke makes. But for those readers more invested in their personal wealth, the prospect of losing everything you’ve worked towards in an instant appears a truly terrifying situation. 

Helping add an extra notch of tension to this publication’s proceedings is Cappuccio’s aforementioned artwork, and ability to inject this comic’s cast with plenty of emotion. The genuine joy of Tigra’s face when she first encounters her old comrade-in-arms, as well as Reese’s pleasure at her mysterious bosses evident discomfort, are palpable. Albeit, it is almost certainly the loss of arrogant superiority across Clarke’s face when he realises he is completely at his opponent’s mercy, which truly shows how well the Italian can draw.

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

West Coast Avengers [2018] #1 - Marvel Comics

WEST COAST AVENGERS No. 1, October 2018

Whilst Kelly Thompson’s penmanship for Issue One of “West Coast Avengers” must have undeniably demonstrated to its readers her “love [for] team books… [and] that magic chemistry you can get” when the super-group assemble to thwart some villain’s diabolical scheme, the Eisner Award-nominee’s narrative also emphatically established her desire “to jam in all the jokes all the time” and disconcerting inability to employ the “certain amount of restraint you need” so as not to “quickly overwhelm everything” with humour. Indeed, straight from this oversized thirty-page periodical’s ‘get-go’ its entire proceedings appear to played for laughs, starting with its sense-shattering opening featuring Santa Monica being invaded by a rampaging shoal of fantastically-fanged land-sharks; “Look at the damnfutzing news, Clint! And get ready -- because America is gonna be there to teleport your butt right to me in about two seconds!”

Admittedly, despite the sequence’s utter silliness there must have been few within this new ongoing series’ audience who weren’t quickly enthralled by Kate Bishop and Hawkeye’s rodeo ride through the beachfront city atop a multi-legged man-eater, nor impressed with the pair’s athletic antics as they first lassoed the lead large fish with a rope arrow so as to “point it back toward the sea” and then successfully got the other monsters of the deep to follow it. However, once this pulse-pounding predicament has been overcome and Stefano Caselli’s proficient panels portray events back at Hawkeye Investigations on Venice Beach, this publication’s storyline sadly delves ever deeper into pure farce with its entire cast seemingly trying to be funny, facetious or downright juvenile, such as Gwendolyn Poole filling Kid Omega’s room with two hundred wet towels simply because the mutant powerhouse apparently leaves “your towels on the bathroom floor.”

Disappointingly, a lot of these jokes aren’t even all that original with one of the book’s main themes debatably being ‘borrowed’ from the December 1976 “Fantastic Four” story “Look Out For The Frightful Four”, where the Wizard attempts to recruit a much needed fourth member to his evil band from an array of no-hopers like Captain Ultra, Texas Twister and Osprey in a manner suspiciously similar to Bishop’s unsuccessful interviews with Bread, Doctor Mole, The Broken Watch and Surf Doctor. Whilst the amateur private eye’s agreement to have her team’s early days filmed for a television programme dishearteningly smacks of parallels to the truly tragic cause behind the "Marvel Worldwide" 2006-2007 crossover event "Civil War".

Writer: Kelly Thompson, Artist: Stefano Caselli, and Color Artist: Triona Farrell

West Coast Avengers #4 - Marvel Comics

WEST COAST AVENGERS No. 4, December 1984

Having initially started with Jim Rhodes ‘shellshocking’ his teammates by revealing that he’s replaced Tony Stark as Iron Man, Roger Stern’s script to Issue Four of “West Coast Avengers” subsequently transforms itself into an all-out action fest which not only sees the super-group rescue a truly waterlogged Wonder Man from the clutches of the formidably powerful Graviton. But also hand Franklin Hall a considerable ‘smackdown’ in the process. Indeed the Wackos' victory over “the Master of Gravity” is so compellingly conclusive that few readers must have shown surprise at the Vision’s ringing endorsement of the “…progress… made in just the first few weeks since the founding of our Western Division!”

However that doesn’t simply mean that the co-creator of the Hobgoblin has the heroes wade into the villain’s Santa Monica Retreat and just start throwing punches or firing repulsor rays. Instead the Noblesville-born writer pens a genuinely engaging plot packed full of intrigue and guile, as well as occasional bursts of raw power, that sees a fast-maturing Hawkeye using his brains as opposed to his team’s brawn in order to get the job done. In fact, up until the sudden appearance of the golden Avenger halfway through the twenty-three page periodical, it doesn’t appear as if the master archer's team have even yet arrived at the Canadian physicist’s lair. Let alone infiltrated it by disguising themselves as a barmaid, Maggia henchman and Madame Masque…

Such a well-devised cleverly-executed scheme really helps draw in the reader, and even provides a few stand-out moments such as an overconfident “amateur Iron Man” directly tapping into “the entire south-western power grid” and Tigra viciously slapping a moustached Clint Barton around the face when he momentarily gapes at the submerged ‘cadaver’ of Simon Williams in full view of Graviton; “Louis! What is the matter with you?! You’ve killed dozens of men! How dare you weaken at the sight of one corpse!” Is it any wonder that a year later in 1985, “Marvel Comics Group” launched a “second ongoing Avengers series” based upon the self-same line-up?

Bob Hall’s breakdowns are also nicely rendered throughout the majority of “Finale”. Finished by Brett Breeding and Peter Berardi, the American artist manages to pencil some incredibly expressive close-ups of the main cast, most notably Hawkeye, as well as draw some awesomely dynamic set-pieces like Wonder Man literally tearing down Hall’s lavish retreat just before “Phase Three” of the West Coast Avengers' plan takes effect.

Writer: Roger Stern, Breakdowns: Bob Hall, and Finishers: Brett Breeding & Peter Berardi

West Coast Avengers #3 - Marvel Comics

WEST COAST AVENGERS No. 3, November 1984

Fans of Wonder Man were probably in two minds about Roger Stern’s handling of the Ionic-energy empowered superhero in this penultimate issue of the “West Coast Avengers” Limited Series. For whilst Simon Williams is shown ruggedly clearing the Santa Monica Freeway of unseasonal snow at the start of the comic, and later provides an enjoyable plotted history of his origin, Don Heck’s co-creation is for the most-part depicted as little more than a sullen, brooding super-hero who is rather worryingly solely preoccupied with his public image and the perceived battering it has taken following “that Blank… getting away… a couple of weeks ago.”

Admittedly such a flawed personality trait as hubris does make “the son of rich industrialist Sandford Williams” a far more compelling character, especially when he quite touchingly confides in fellow ‘Wacko’ Tigra that he doesn’t feel much of an Avenger having let the force field generator-powered felon escape his custody. But any reader’s sympathy to his confidence-lacking plight is then soon dispelled by the Noblesville-born writer dressing him up with the most absurd-looking curly blond wig and shades imaginable, just so the ‘experienced stuntman’ isn’t recognisable when escorting the Shroud on a visit to “what was once the home of one “Lucky Man” Galeno…”

Fortunately the narrative to “Taking Care of Business!” also spends a considerable time focussing upon former gravity researcher Franklin Hall and his return from being “exiled to the interdimensional void” by Thor. Able to manipulate “the subatomic particles that carry the force of gravitational attraction”, Graviton proves as formidable a foe for Wonder Man, Maximillian Coleridge and Greer Nelson in this comic’s later stages as he is mentally deranged. Indeed the supervillain’s spiteful toying of Clyde, the man whose charging field actually helped rescue the Canadian physicist from his “state of suspended animation” shows a decidedly nasty streak to a criminal clearly capable of taking on “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes”; “There is no room in my organisation for whiners, Blank!”

Equally as engrossing as Graviton’s determination to “organize California’s criminal element!” is Bob Hall’s wonderful artwork for a twenty-three page periodical that is rather dialogue-heavy in parts. In fact the University of Nebraska-Lincoln attendee’s drawings of the Shorud repeatedly stepping from out of his Darkforce is arguably worth the cost of this comic’s cover price alone, even if the ‘Master of Darkness’ is accompanied by a ludicrous-looking Williams.

Writer: Roger Stern, Penciler: Bob Hall, and Inker: Brett Breeding

West Coast Avengers #2 - Marvel Comics

WEST COAST AVENGERS No. 2, October 1984

Featuring the debut of Roger Stern and Bob Hall’s creation The Blank, Issue Two of “West Coast Avengers” disappointingly pits the ‘fledgling’ super-group’s rather formidable roster up against one of the New York publisher’s most uninspiring and frankly third-rate villains ever. Indeed, if the “unemployed drifter” hadn’t conveniently encountered a Stark International Research scientist whilst waiting for a bus and subsequently stolen the inventor’s force field generator, then the Wackos really would spend the entire length of this comic book battling nothing more than an ordinary, powerless, criminally-minded “disgruntled” nobody.

Presumably however, such a forgettable foe was actually devised in order to allow the American author to spend a considerable portion of this twenty-three page periodical concentrating upon the doubts and fears of this “expansion of the main Avengers team”. Something the Noblesville-born novelist does to a disconcerting depth as practically every single one of the super-heroes featured within the narrative inwardly demonstrates some considerable team angst; “I’m not anywhere near being in his league… Why did I let Hawkeye talk me into joining his new Avengers team?”

Foremost of these doubting Thomas’ is arguably Wonder Man, the son of a rich industrialist who is clearly not half as confident with his “personal performance” as his self-assured Simon ‘stunt man’ Williams alter ego would suggest. In fact having demonstrated his inability to “handle one gimmicky bank robber by myself” the angry “ionic” powerhouse becomes worryingly obsessed with “nabbing” the Blank by himself just to prove ‘what good he is to the Avengers’.

Equally as image-driven, and quite possibly power-mad as well, is Jim Rhodes’ Iron Man. Concerned that Hawkeye’s gruelling daily workout showed him up and that he may be trading “on another man’s rep” since replacing Tony Stark “inside this metal suit”, the armoured “amateur” admits to revelling in the power bestowed upon him because it “felt good… read good!”

Fortunately this magazine does feature some incredibly lively action-packed artwork by Bob Hall. Admittedly the one-time “Charlton Comics” inker isn’t as consistent with his illustrations as some readers may have hoped for, particularly when sketching the Blank’s origin flashback. But the former “Marvel Comics” editor’s drawings of Iron Man, Tigra, Mockingbird and Hawkeye during the Wackos ‘mock’ battle against “Shellhead” prove to be an incredibly dynamically-charged way to start an otherwise rather run-of-the-mill story.

Writer: Roger Stern, Penciler: Bob Hall, and Inker: Brett Breeding

West Coast Avengers #1 - Marvel Comics

WEST COAST AVENGERS No. 1, September 1984

Whilst Roger Stern’s somewhat pedestrian-paced script for Issue One of the “West Coast Avengers” limited series is nowhere near as frustratingly tedious a read as Stan Lee’s Silver Age story “The Old Order Changeth!” There is, perhaps understandably, a number of similarities between this “bold new chapter in the annals of Earth’s mightiest heroes” and the May 1965 “spectacular special issue” of “The Avengers” which heralded “the start of a great new Avengers line-up!”

In fact the narratives for “Avengers Assemble!” and its thirty year old predecessor are in some ways upsettingly undistinguishable from one another with both featuring a new team leader pulling together a fresh collection of hesitant, nervous and somewhat unproven super-heroes, and then housing them within an expensively lavish state-of-the-art compound. The Noblesville-born writer even goes so far as to include several ominous nods to the one-time publishing President’s original storyline by having 'his' Hawkeye once again refer to the Super-soldier serum enhanced Captain America as an Avenger who doesn’t have “any amazing powers” and then offer a perceived super-villain, in this case the anti-hero Maximillian Quincy, a place on the “Wackos” having been impressed with the Shoud’s skill in penetrating their Los Angeles-based estate's defences; “Besides, what you did reminds me a little of how I introduced myself to the Avengers -- I broke in too!”

Putting aside such potential plagiarism of a “classic Avengers” comic however, Stern’s twenty-three page periodical also proves to be something of an inauspicious experience due to its failure to live up to its initial concept’s promise. Bob Hall and Brett Breeding’s cover art genuinely gives the impression that this ‘new’ title could really be something innovatively different, and even suggests that diverse characters such as Rom the Space Knight, the diminutive acrobat Puck and “genius psychiatrist” Doc Samson may be permanent cast members. Disappointingly though, with the exception of Mockingbird, the American author instead simply regurgitates a number of arguably failed former “New York team” associates, and even portrays a couple of these “out of my league[rs]” as being somewhat displeased when awarded a “spot” on the line-up. Indeed Tigra is actually paid $1,000 by the Vision just to catch “the next shuttle flight” to California and “help the [West Coast] Avengers out.”

Fortunately Hall’s precise and detailed pencilling goes a long way to help make amends for the graphic novelist’s uninspiring storytelling. With the former “Charlton Comics” inker’s depictions of an overly enthusiastic, somewhat pushy Hawkeye and self-doubting "Jimmy Rhodes" Iron Man, resplendent in his shiny red and gold armour, looking as good as any bibliophile could ask for.

Writer: Roger Stern, Penciler: Bob Hall, and Inker: Brett Breeding