'Everything You Need To Read' is a brand new series exclusively on MCU Geeks for the new year. We dive into the historic roots of new and old characters, and assemble a list of the top comics you should read before watching a new MCU project, whether it be on the big screen, or at home on Disney+.
By Griff Roberts
Marc Spector is the mercenary Moon Knight. While on assignment, an archaeological dig was botched, and Spector became the avatar of Egyptian moon god Khonshu. This communion also aggravated his dissociative identity disorder. In addition to Spector, there are multiple personas: millionaire Steven Grant, informant Jake Lockley, super-powered Moon Knight, and the ‘measured’ Mr. Knight.
Without further a due, here are the top 5 Moon Knight arcs you should read, before watching on March 30th.
Moon Knight's first appearance in the pages of Doug Moench and Don Perlin's Werewolf by Night #32
August 1st, 1975 and Werewolf By Night - Jack Russel - is stalked, then apprehended, by a merc with themed gadgets and a violent style. His debut trails from issue #32-33. His origins aren’t explored entirely in these issues, but it serves as the defining entrance of Marc Spector into the Marvel Universe.
With Kevin Feige and Marvel releasing a Halloween 'Werewolf' project in October, you may even be seeing this comic be making a return in another article...
On second thoughts, you're better off reading this one online. A graded 9.4 Werewolf By Night could set you back as much as £50,000.
Moon Knight #1 (2014)
Drawn by Declan Shalvey and written by Warren Ellis, this first edition of the Marvel NOW!
phase is sure to be the easiest introduction to our man wearing white. It follows the three personalities navigating the Khonshu-fuelled crusade in a city that is not only broken, but as crazy as the Knight himself. The road to victory is going to hurt. A lot. Follow this through to issue #17 (2015) for a comprehensive directory of the Moon Knight calibre.
Unlike Werewolf By Midnight, this article isn't impossible to find and can easily be read online, alongside the majority of Moon Knight Comics.
Moon Knight #1 (2016)
Up next on the list, following Shavey and Ellis’ run, is Moon Knight #1 (2016). Read through
#1-9 for the entire arc. This story explores the ludicrous yet sensible question of – ‘what if Spector was confined to an insane asylum?’. This iteration began by finding Marc Spector waking up in a psychiatric hospital with no powers, and the validity of all of his various identities called into question. This was one of the most ambitious takes yet for the character, and also one of the trippiest. This arc will give you the tools to deal with anything out of the ordinary when watching on Disney+, and promises an insightful read.
Moon Knight #188 (2016)
Regaining its legacy number, this issue sets the dawn of a new villain, quite literally, as the avatar of Ra - the Egyptian Sun god. The franchise has proven to successfully deal in horror, mystery and action; this iteration manages to set the stage for a psychological horror, with small details and subtle tensions being all the worthwhile, concluding in instalment #194.
Since the trailer, speculation has sniffed out that Harrow (Ethan Hawk) will likely be the alias of Sun King. In the 1985 Moon Knight: Fists of Khonshu #2, Arthur is, in fact, the main villain in Moon Knight’s story (and for that story only). The trailer follows Arthur Harrow through a crowd of what seems to be worshippers, giving the impression that he could be the leader of a cult. It lines up directly with the Sun God persona, apart from the name, while his red outfit also silhouette the motif of Ra.
Moon Knight (2010-2012) #1
Captain America. Wolverine. Spider-Man. There's nobody you'd want to have your back more than this trio of Avengers.
So, who better for Moon Knight to call upon to lend a hand? The trouble is, they're all in his head. And as Spector battles his own mind to find balance in his new home of Los Angeles, a powerful criminal mastermind makes his deadly move – Kingpin.
Can Moon Knight get his act together in time to take on this deadly threat - or is he way out of his league? Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev reunited to deliver a feature connected with characters who’ve most recently made their MCU debut, Echo and Fisk.
This story takes place in Los Angeles and initially connects Echo to the ballot; The Young Avengers and The West Coast Avengers deal heavily with well… West Coast shenanigans; this could potentially be the landing spot for Moon Knight, Kate Bishop and Echo succeeding the conclusion of Marc Spector’s first live-action series.
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