Moon Knight

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Moon Knight (Marc Spector) is a character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe. Created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin, he first appeared in Werewolf by Night #32 (August 1975).

Publication history

The character debuted in the title Werewolf by Night #32 (August 1975), written by Doug Moench with art by Don Perlin, as an enemy of the title character in a two part story continuing in issue #33. The character proved popular with readers, and was granted a solo spot in Marvel Spotlight #28-29 (1976), written by Doug Moench with art by Don Perlin.

He then had appearances in Spectacular Spider-Man issues #22 and #23, both written by Bill Mantlo with art by Mike Zeck on #22 and Jim Mooney on #23, Marvel Two-In-One #52, written by Steven Grant with art by Jim Craig, and Defenders #47-50. Moon Knight then gained a backup strip in the Hulk! Magazine in issues #11-15, #17-18 and #20, also Marvel Preview #21. All written by Doug Moench. Art was done by Gene Colan in #11, Keith Pollard in #12, and Bill Sienkiewicz on the rest. These were reprinted in Moon Knight Special Edition #1-3.

A new ongoing series was then launched, titled Moon Knight, which also had writing by Doug Moench and art by Bill Sienkiewicz. During the early 1980s Moon Knight was one of the three "direct distribution only" Marvel titles, starting with issue #15. This series ended with issue #38. In 1985 there was a six-issue series called Moon Knight - Fist Of Khonshu. Then in 1989 Marc Spector: Moon Knight debuted. This ended in issue #60 (March 1994), written by Terry Kavanagh with art by Stephen Platt depicting his death. In 1992 Marc Spector: Moon Knight Special Edition #1 and Moon Knight: Divided We Fall were published, followed in January 1998 and January 1999 by two further four-issue limited series.

A Moon Knight ongoing series was launched in April 2006, written by Charlie Huston with art by David Finch. As of issue 14 of this series, Mike Benson took over writing duties with Huston acting as a sort of story-outline adviser according to Benson in an interview with Marvel published as a one-page excerpt in various Marvel comic books throughout late 2007 and early 2008. Benson has stated that he plans to shake up the status quo following the storyline "The Death of Marc Spector", which finishes at the end of 2008. The following storyline will see a change of artists with Jefte Paolo taking over the art duties.[6] Peter Milligan also wrote a 2008 seasonal one-shot "Moon Knight: Silent Knight" with artist Laurence Campbell.

Character biography

Origin

Moon Knight #1
Art by Bill Sienkiewicz.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Marc Spector is an American rabbi's wayward son. As an adult, Spector spends time as a heavyweight boxer, a U.S. Marine, and a mercenary. He becomes a skilled combatant and befriends the French pilot Jean-Paul DuChamp, whom he calls "Frenchie." While the pair work for the African mercenary Raoul Bushman in Egypt, the group stumble upon an archaeological dig whose crew includes Dr. Peter Alraune and his daughter Marlene. The dig had uncovered an ancient temple where artifacts included a statue of the Egyptian god Khonshu. Intent on looting the dig, Bushman kills Dr. Alraune. In response to Alraune's murder, Spector challenges Bushman to personal combat but is beaten nearly to death and left to die in the sub-zero temperatures of the desert night.

Roaming Egyptians who worship the ancient Egyptian gods find Spector and carry him to their temple. Helpless before the statue of Khonshu, Spector's heart stops. Khonshu appears to him in a vision, offering Spector a second chance at life if he becomes the god's avatar on earth. Spector awakens, wraps himself with the silver shroud that covers Khonshu's statue, and again confronts Bushman. He defeats Bushman and returns to America with Marlene Alraune, Frenchie, and the statue of Khonshu. Deciding to become a crime-fighter, Spector creates a silver cloaked costume, based on the silver shroud, and becomes the Moon Knight.

After his return to the United States, Spector invests the money that he had accumulated as a mercenary and develops a small fortune. To distance himself from his mercenary past he creates the identity of millionaire entrepreneur Steven Grant, using this identity to purchase a spacious estate. To remain in contact with the common man he also creates the identity of taxicab driver Jake Lockley.

In his first appearance, the criminal orgization The Committee supplies Mark Spector with the name Moon Knight, his costume and weapons to hunt down Jack Russell. In Los Angeles, Moon Knight captures the Werewolf for the Committee, but then frees him and halts the Committee's plans. In New York, after setting up his identities as Jake Lockley and Steven Grant, he then battled Conquer-Lord. He then battled his brother Randall, alias the Hatchet-Man.

His true origin (how he first met Marlene Alraune and Frenchie, fought Roald Bushman, is empowered and thus patterns himself on Khonshu) is later retconned - the original "created by The Committee" storyline being explained away as a ruse set up by Frenchie so that Marc can infiltrate the Committee in an attempt to shut it down. He then first battled the Midnight Man. Then, he first battled Morpheus. He encountered Daredevil, and battled the Jester. He then first encountered Stained Glass Scarlet. Later, he battled the Werewolf once again. He battled Bora, and met the X-Men and the Fantastic Four.He then encountered Doctor Strange.

Fist of Khonshu

During the six-issue Fist of Khonshu mini-series, Spector has abandoned his Moon Knight, Grant and Lockley identities. The cult of Khonshu telepathically summons Spector to Egypt. They give him a small arsenal of moon-themed projectile weaponry, such as throwing discs and crescent-shaped blades, originally designed by a time-traveling Hawkeye in ancient Egypt. Khonshu himself appears to Spector and enters his body, giving him superhuman strength which waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.

As the direct agent of Khonshu, he aids the West Coast Avengers, but at the cost of alienating Marlene and Frenchie. He time travels to 2940 B.C. to rescue the Avengers, where he learns of his weapons' design by Hawkeye. He then officially joins the West Coast Avengers.[22] Moon Knight strikes up a relationship with Tigra that lasts for his remaining tenure on the team.

Khonshu is eventually forcibly expelled from Spector's body by Daimon Hellstrom during a battle with the Phantom Rider. Moon Knight speaks directly to Khonshu, who explains that it is he and not Moon Knight who wanted to join the Avengers. Upon realizing this, Moon Knight declines his active status with the team. Reuniting with Marlene and Frenchi, Moon Knight begins his career of adventuring anew. Although he dies in battle, he is resurrected by the statue of Khonshu.

Marc Spector: Moon Knight

Marc Spector: Moon Knight #39
Art by Gary Kwapisz.

After "Fist of Khonshu", a third Moon Knight volume was published. It was the longest-running series, lasting sixty issues before ending.

This volume introduces Moon Knight's teenage sidekick Jeff Wilde, also known as "Midnight." Wilde is actually the son of Midnight Man, a villain from the first volume. Moon Knight first encountered the Black Cat and Midnight.[24] Midnight makes a few appearances until issue #24. Turned into a cyborg by the Secret Empire, Midnight is seemingly killed in the "Round Robin" story arc of Amazing Spider-Man, spanning issues #353-#358. Midnight later reappears in Moon Knight volume 4 where Moon Knight apparently finishes him off for good.

Alongside the Punisher, he battled ULTIMATUM. During the "Acts of Vengeance", he battled Killer Shrike, Coachwhip, and the second Ringer. He then encountered Silver Sable, Sandman, and Paladin. As Marc Spector, he was tried for murder in Bosqueverde, South America. He teamed with Spider-Man and the Punisher against the Secret Empire.

While fighting with his brother Randal Spector over who is destined to carry the mantle of Moon Knight, Marc discovers Khonshu is not the god of vengeance but the god of justice.

Starting with issue #38, Moon Knight appears in adamantium armor rather than his Kevlar costume. In the comic storyline it is explained that Moon Knight needs the armor to hold his body together after being infected by the then-possessed Hobgoblin. The disease is revealed to be the villain known as Demogoblin trying to possess him. With the help of Doctor Strange and Mister Fantastic, the Demogoblin parasite is removed. In issue #50, Moon Knight seemingly severs his ties to the Avengers by burning his membership ID card after being brought in by Thor to answer charges in regard to his illegal actions against Dr Doom. By the end of the series, Moon Knight is killed violently, sacrificing himself to save his loved ones from a computerized villain called Seth and his "Zero Hour" program.

Resurrection War

In 1998, writer Doug Moench, artist Tommy Edwards, and inker Robert Campanella brought the deceased hero back in a four-part mini series. In 1999, Moench and artist Mark Texeira worked together on another four-part series called "High Strangeness" which was nominated for the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan award for Favorite Limited Series. (The title of the story was mistakenly given as "High Strangers" on the covers of the limited series. The correct title of the story, "High Strangeness," appeared on the title page of each issue.)

Minor appearances

In 1998 Spector uses his Ka to help a critically injured Black Panther through the Kingdom of the Dead.[issue # needed] In 2001 and 2002 Moon Knight joins the "Marvel Knights" non-team. After making a brief appearance in the "Avengers Disassembled" story-arc, he makes a minor return in the 2005 Marvel Team-Up miniseries, fighting alongside Spider-Man, Daredevil and the Punisher.

Moon Knight, 2006 ongoing

The first arc of the 2006 re-launch by writer Charlie Huston and penciller David Finch, titled "The Bottom," explores Marc Spector's return to crime-fighting following his self-imposed exile. His retirement comes after a brutal battle with Bushman. Although his body is broken after a tremendous fall, Moon Knight finally defeats Bushman by carving off his face with a crescent moon dart. The series highlights Spector's supposed spiritual connection to the moon god as well as his own psychologically damaged state of mind. After returning to his role as Moon Knight, Spector continually receives guidance by what he believes to be Khonshu in the form of a faceless Bushman. This storyline also updates Marc Spector's timeline, suggesting he fought in the Gulf War and that his time as a mercenary was during the 1990s. It is also revealed that Frenchie is in love with Marc Spector; he indicates this is why he stuck around for so long.

In the second issue, Huston introduces the Profile, an amoral character analyst whom the Committee brings in to help them entrap Moon Knight. He escapes after the plan collapses, and later becomes a reluctant source of information for Spector himself.

The next arc, "Midnight Sun," takes place during the Civil War and follows Moon Knight as he investigates a string of murders perpetrated by Midnight, his former sidekick. This arc also depicts Moon Knight's first contact with other Marvel heroes since his return. Spider-Man attempts to contact Moon Knight but is rebuked. Captain America pays him a visit to deliver a warning and in return the two quarrel.The Punisher and Moon Knight have a lengthy conversation both about the nature of their vigilantism and their shared past. Moon Knight is forced into a final confrontation with his former sidekick Jeff Wilde (a.k.a. Midnight), seemingly killing him for good.

Iron Man also investigates Moon Knight's activities by placing him under close surveillance. Finding his mental condition unstable, Iron Man decides that arresting Moon Knight under the Registration Act might make his mental instability worse. However, Moon Knight is identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes appearing on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative #1..

Moon Knight begrudgingly applies for registration after much prodding from Khonshu, not wanting the law to keep him from his work. The law requires him to submit to a psychiatric exam. The psychiatrist controlling the exam, along with the government and Tony Stark, have no intention of granting Marc Spector approval for registration. After speaking with Spector's repressed alter egos Jake Lockley and Steven Grant, the psychiatrist begins the process of officially turning him down, suggesting possible future imprisonment. Spector breaks the doctor's will by speaking in the voice of Khonshu and pointing out the doctor's own antisocial tendencies, told to him by the Profile. The psychiatrist not only approves his application, but bows to worship him as well. However, later on, Marc meets The Profile with their dialogue suggesting that the personalities above were just an act to be approved for registration.[35]

In the subsequent arc, "God and Country", writer Mike Benson and artist Mark Texeira take over the series, with Charlie Huston still co-plotting. This arc centers itself on Moon Knight's ability (or lack thereof) as a "registered hero" and Marc Spector's ability (or lack thereof) to hold on to the people around him. This arc sees the return of the classic Moon Knight villain Black Spectre. In this story Carson Knowles, recently released from prison, falls back into his ways as the Black Spectre and yet again attempts to destroy Moon Knight and hurt the city. In issue #19, the finale of "God and Country", Moon Knight pushes Knowles off a building apparently to his death. This arc also features a large role for Tony Stark, as the head of the initiative, and lead dissenter of Moon Knight's vigilantism.

In issue #21, a new story arc began, titled "The Death of Marc Spector." This arc is written by Mike Benson, and it involves the Thunderbolts, led by Norman Osborn, who are now on the hunt for Moon Knight. Tony Stark and his second-in-command Maria Hill argue with a man named Sikorsky, who represents the CSA and desperately wants for Moon Knight to be apprehended with extreme prejudice. Mark Spector himself busts up a drug deal while wearing an entirely black costume, while going through an internal monologue about how crime-fighting is much easier without the burden of his reputation and 'costume recognition.'

Several weeks later, after barely surviving an altercation with the Thunderbolts, Spector pleads for Khonshu's forgiveness for turning his back on him and for the god's renewed assistance. Khonshu appears and informs Spector he doesn't need him anymore, as he now has other worshippers. Spector returns to his Moon Knight costume to aid Frenchie DuChamp in gaining revenge on the Whyos gang for attacking his restaurant and injuring Frenchie's lover Rob, only to find the Whyos' attack was designed to draw Spector into another conflict with the Thunderbolts when he is ambushed by Venom. After a brief fight Moon Knight is captured, but escapes when S.H.I.E.L.D. shows up. Frenchie agrees to help Spector, and Ray joins the reformed team as well. Bullseye is released to kill Moon Knight, as Spector prepares to go out with a bang.

Moon Knight is next seen battling Bullseye in the streets of NYC. He eventually leads Bullseye to a bunker/warehouse where he has planted several explosives. Bullseye narrowly escapes as Moon Knight ignites the explosives and escapes through a secret passage in the floor. Later that day two press conferences are held: one by Norman Osborn to announce the Thunderbolts' success and Moon Knight's death and the other held by Tony Stark who denounces the methods used by the Thunderbolts. At the end of the issue it is revealed that Moon Knight has faked his death and is hiding in New Mexico. It is also revealed that the Marc Spector persona has "died" and that Jake Lockley is now in control.

Character analysis

Moon Knight is often criticized as an ersatz Batman and the parallels are indeed apparent. Writer of the 2006 re-launch of Moon Knight, Charlie Huston attempted to answer these criticisms in an interview with Comixfan. The interviewer noted that the comparison is not baseless, as both Moon Knight and the Dark Knight are wealthy, "normal" humans that use gadgetry to fight crime.

Huston accepted that the two characters had their similarities, but went on to contrast the two by noting in particular differences in origin, motives, and personality. "Bruce Wayne", he said, "fights crime to avenge the murders of his parents", whereas Moon Knight "beats up whoever has it coming because he believes he is the avatar of the Egyptian god of vengeance and it helps him to feel better about all the people he killed when he was a mercenary." Thus, while Batman is motivated by vengeance for wrong done to his parents, Marc Spector primarily seeks redemption from crimes he committed in his mercenary past. Huston further notes that Bruce Wayne, Batman's alter ego, takes on other personalities merely to aid in his fight. However, Moon Knight has three alter egos which aid him as much in dealing with personal demons as fighting law-breakers, and which have taken a further psychological toll of causing dissociative identity disorder. In the question of his sanity, Spider-Man remarked "Moony. Rhymes with looney."

Powers and abilities

Over the course of his life as a U.S. Marine, boxer, mercenary, C.I.A. operative and costumed superhero, Marc Spector has become an expert at commando hand-to-hand combat techniques and various martial arts. He is an Olympic-level athlete and a skilled acrobat and gymnast, and excels as a combat strategist. He employs a variety of weapons over the course of his career, including throwing darts and a truncheon. He is skilled with most weapons, and an expert with throwing weapons. He is a superb driver and can pilot a helicopter.

Promotional art of Moon Knight descending from the Mooncopter

Spector gained his superhuman powers as a result of a visitation by the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Moon Knight's strength, endurance and reflexes are enhanced depending upon the phases of the moon. The fuller the moon, the more strength Moon Knight derives from it, though even during a new moon, he can lift several hundred pounds. He has some degree of superhuman strength during the peak of a lunar cycle. It's not known how much of this strength is mystical and how much is simply the result of self-hypnosis due to his psychological instability. Due to his multiple personalities, he is also resistant to some psychic attacks and sometimes receives prophetic visions. During the 2008 run of the Moon Knight series Spector has been shown an has stated that he no longer has any superpowers.

At one point, Moon Knight is given special weapons by the cult of Khonshu, including bolas, golden throwing crescent-darts shaped like scarabs, an ivory boomerang, throwing irons, and a golden club in the shape of an ankh that glowed in the presence of danger that can be used as a throwing weapon or bludgeon. These items are replaced with duplicate weapons crafted by Hawkeye. He later retires these items to his personal museum after abandoning the "Egyptian" motif in favor of updated versions of his original styled-gear, including a truncheon/staff/nunchucks combo, and a compound bow. He has also used an axe-shaped lasso-grapple.

During the third series, Moon Knight's silver-white costume includes adamantium, and he acquires an array of high-tech weaponry including an Adamantium staff, a truncheon capable of firing a cable line, and gauntlets that fire crescent darts. He has also been depicted using spiked knuckles, worn on the left hand.

For transportation, Moon Knight employs a variety of sophisticated aircraft. These include the Mooncopter and Angelwing, featuring VTOL (vertical take-off and landing), a rope ladder, and 20 mm cannons.

Marlene Alraune

Marlene Alraune is the confidante, girlfriend and ally of Moon Knight. Marlene was in the Sudan with her father, archaeologist Dr. Peter Alraune Sr., when he was killed by mercenary Raoul Bushman. Marc Spector saved Marlene's life, but Bushman left him to die in the desert. Dr. Alraune's workers brought Spector's inert body to the tomb of Pharaoh Seti III. Spector miraculously revived, and he and Marlene returned to the U.S., where he became the crime-fighter Moon Knight.

Marlene has the strength and agility of a normal woman: she is a skilled markswoman, gymnast, and hand-to-hand combatant and a resourceful crime-fighter.

Enemies

While Moon Knight fights villains of other heroes, he has also accumulated his own rogues gallery. Villains include:

Other versions

2099

The one-shot 2099: Manifest Destiny (Mar. 1998) introduced a female Marvel 2099 version of Moon Knight, fighting crime in the lunar city of Attilan. Manifest Destiny was the last comic published in Marvel's 2099 line and the character has not reappeared since. Her identity, abilities and motivations were never revealed.

House Of M

Moon Knight appears in House of M as part of Luke Cage's Sapien Resistance against the House of Magnus (Magneto, Quicksilver, Polaris, and the Scarlet Witch), although he is not wearing his costume in this timeline. He also appears in House of M: Avengers wearing his costume. A little more of his back story is uncovered as well, still following Khonshu and still suffering from multiple personalities.

Marvel Zombies

In Marvel Zombies, Moon Knight is one of the superheroes infected by the zombie plague. He is in his living form in the one shot issue, Marvel Zombies: Dead Days as part of the resistance organized by Nick Fury but presumably turned into one of the zombies in a later battle. In issue #5 of Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness, he is attacked by 'Deadites', reanimated versions of many of the dead humans. Wanting revenge, these Deadites seemingly tear Moon Knight apart. He presumably escapes, as he is seen in the first issue of the regular Marvel Zombies series, which is set after Army of Darkness. He is later killed by the Silver Surfer in self defense, when Moon Knight attempts to attack and devour the herald among the other Marvel Zombies.

Ultimate Moon Knight

Ultimate Moon Knight on the partial cover to
Ultimate Spider-Man

A former Navy Seal, Ultimate Moon Knight is the product of a failed Super Soldier experiment. Prior to becoming Moon Knight, he worked for the Roxxon Corporation as Paladin. It is also noted that he has a form of dissociative identity disorder. Within the comic, the "personalities" of Steven Grant, Marc Spector, Moon Knight, an unnamed red-headed little girl with no eyes, and Ronin interact through internal monologue. He lives with his girlfriend Marlene. She displays knowledge of his Moon Knight identity.

Ultimate Moon Knight first appears in Ultimate Spider-Man #79 during the Warriors story-arc. He is an active participant of a gang war waged by the Kingpin and newcomer Hammerhead.

During the battle, he is impaled by the assassin Elektra. Although gravely wounded, Moon Knight subdues Elektra with a moon-blade to her head before slipping into a coma. Upon waking up, Moon Knight escapes from custody and engages in a fight with the Punisher, Spider-Man, and Daredevil. After the battle, Daredevil invites Moon Knight to join an organization of super-heroes with the goal of bringing down the Kingpin.

As part of this group, Spector adopts the identity of Ronin to infiltrate the Kingpin's ranks. The idea of turning 'Ronin' into the main persona is made by the Steven Grant and Marc Spector personalities, who oppose the Moon Knight persona and the concerns of the small girl persona. In doing so, they create a far more ruthless personality who the Kingpin would find suitable. Moon Knight himself is angered by this decision, but is seemingly destroyed by the Ronin personality.

The Kingpin discovers that Ronin is working for Daredevil and orders his execution. He survives, however, and after regaining consciousness goes to the police claiming that the Kingpin ordered his execution. This provides a charge for the police to arrest the Kingpin, but he has to reveal his secret identity for a charge to be placed. It also seems that the Moon Knight persona is still alive after the Ronin persona decides to wake him up.

Universe X

In Universe X, Moon Knight is locked in a never ending battle with the Sons of Set, over the statue of Khonshu. It's actually stated that Marc Spector has been dead from the beginning, and just as the moon reflects light, Spector has been "reflecting" the form of a living man, making him effectively immortal.[issue # needed] Moreover, it is also suggested that the original inspiration for the moon god Khonshu was the Watcher Uatu who watches the Earth from his base on the moon.

Other media

Television

While a Moon Knight TV series was announced, very little to nothing has been mentioned since late 2006. Writer Jon Cooksey (Rugrats, The Collector, ReBoot) confirms that he is currently in development of the Moon Knight television series.

Marc Spector's name is briefly mentioned in the pilot episode of Blade: The Series (starring Kirk Jones). Spector is described as an expert in werewolves. Marc is also said to be a colleague of Professor Melvin Caylo, a specialist in vampires. The character of Spector did not appear in the series before it was cancelled.

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