Fist of Khonshu

Crescent Dart:

Most people go to Mexico and get sun, surf, sights and cerveza. Moon Knight gets luchadore assassins, double crossing drug lords, a flesh eating brute and the Punisher on his tail. This is soul searching in Moon Knight’s world though, and it’s never looked better.

Waxing:

• Jefte Palo and Lee Loughridge deliver the goods on the art
• Moon Knight is returning to his roots

Waning:

• What’s the real distinction between Spector and Lockley?

Full:

Jake Lockley may have left Marc Spector’s name, life and warrant behind, but he seems to be hell bent on making peace with his past. While the first two issues of the arc have set up a web for Moon Knight to get tangled up in, there’s still the constant theme of his desire for reconciliation with his past within these pages. Except he’s not doing it as Moon Knight (he has yet to suit up) or in the name of Khonshu. Lockley is atoning for his mercenary past by… um… essentially being a mercenary again. [singlepic id=30 w=250 h=375 float=right]

It’s working for him though; this notion of reconnecting with your past by reliving it and doing it the right way. Marc Spector was a prize fighter – Jake Lockley is making money in Mexico in some underground cage matches. Spector offered his services as a mercenary for hire – Lockley winds up doing the same down in Mexico. It will be interesting to see if any more parallels develop in this arc.

Lockley seems to have a more conscience driven approach in this return to his roots. While I’m not really sure that the inclusion of the Punisher in this arc is necessarily a good thing, it might be an interesting jolt to Moon Knight’s reality to have a link to his past pop up so unexpectedly.

That said, the one potentially negative observation I have so far is there doesn’t seem to be a distinct difference between Moon Knight’s Jake Lockley persona and Marc Spector. Whether this is to downplay the multiple personality disorder or give more credence to Khonshu’s involvement with his “condition” – it will be interesting to see how this plays out, if it does indeed play out.

Something else that I’m wondering is where in the timeline of current events in the larger Marvel Universe is Down South taking place. The previous arcs have all been on a time lag behind Marvel U events, but Down South could very well be almost running parallel with Dark Reign. I say almost because the Punisher is doing his own thing in Dark Reign so his presence wouldn‘t be known in Mexico if they were exactly concurrent. It would be great to see Moon Knight’s return to the larger Marvel U though, as he could definitely go a long way in cleaning house there.

Jefte Palo’s art is perfect for this world. He draws with a pulpy noir feel that fits the tone exactly. His backgrounds are sparse but in a way that really brings out the characters and enables you to focus on the action and dialogue. A large part of this is Lee Loughridge’s coloring which allows just the right features to pop out of the page. They’re a great team.

Get on board with this arc, you won’t be disappointed.

I was hoping Moon Knight would be included in Hasbro’s recently announced 3 3/4 inch figures Marvel line up, but when I was at NYCC I didn’t see sign of him in the line up at their booth. Well, I must have been distracted by the sheer hordes of spandex-gone-wrong-terribly-wrong folks around me, because I missed this:

Moon Knight Marvel Hasbro 3 3/4 Figure

How the hell did I miss that!!! Oh right, the distractingly fetid spandex all around me. The image is from IGN and you can click here to check out the original standing next to Union Jack.

The whole line up looks great… but without nitpicking too much, I hope they throw in a little silver on Moon Knight’s belt, cape, and accessories. And make those eyes either blue or a bit smaller. They look a bit strange right now, but these are prototypes.

This is part of Wave 4 and it comes out this year. I’m just glad to see Moon Knight get some early lovin’ in this latest figure line up.

In a recent post on his site, Pulp Noir, author Charlie Huston mentioned his lack of involvement with the Moon Knight comic series going forward. Here’s the excerpt (full post here):

I’m also signed up to do a year on a Marvel monthly. First, get it out of the way, I will not be returning to Moon Knight. Second, I cannot say what title I will be working on. Marvel super secret go hush hush, sweet Charlie or we break your little toes for starters. BUt I will risk going so far as to say it’s a major Marvel monthly. Thus properly hyping, and using the requisite alliteration. Can I say more? No, I’ve said too much as it is. Don’t ask me again, I might weaken. No, no, I mustn’t. You will have to be strong for both of us.

Charlie Huston at NYCC

File this under rumors I had no clue existed. But I guess the hordes at events like Comic Con probably harass him about this, hence the clearing of the air. I loved Huston’s resuscitation of Moon Knight, but Mike Benson has been doing some fantastic work on the series. Given the sheer awesomeness of Huston’s latest novel The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death I am definitely looking forward to his future comic book projects. Hell, given the vastly incestuous and interconnected world at Marvel I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Moon Knight cameo in any future projects.

Moon Knight is hiding down in Mexico in the new Down South arc. The first part of the arc was great with enormous potential left for the story to develop in fruitful ways and the much welcome addition of artist, Jefte Palo. It seems the critics dug it too. Check out some excerpts below:

[singlepic id=23 w=250 h=375 float=right]

Comics Bulletin
by Kevin Powers
5 out of 5

Excerpt: This title has undoubtedly been given new life by changing the status quo and presenting fresh material in a new area for a character. There’s so much potential presented in this issue that Moon Knight could easily be kept busy for quite some time… or at least until it’s time to stage a coup against Norman Osborn.

IGN
by Jesse Schedeen
8.2 out of 10

Excerpt: This issue is something of a fresh start for the series, and it’s one I found myself enjoying quite a bit. If nothing else, this is by far the best the book has ever looked. Jefte Palo steps in, fresh from his stint on Black Panther.

Superhero Times
by Doug “DiRT” Turner
Excerpt: I’m quite amazed at how well everything works together in this issue. As an opening chapter, the case for sticking with the story is difficult to argue against. Long time readers and curiosity seekers picking up this title for the first time will be well rewarded.

Things look good for the Fist of Khonshu! I’m confident Benson and Palo will keep the series going strong. If you see any more reviews to feature here, be in touch!

Crescent Dart:
The new Down South arc brings Moon Knight full circle and superbly kicks off the beginning of what looks to be a fantastic journey for fans of Moon Knight. [singlepic id=17 w=250 h=375 float=right]

Waxing:

• Fantastic dialogue merges with perfectly tailored art
• Kicks off a new beginning for Moon Knight in a masterful way
• The Punisher factors into the story intriguingly

Waning:

• You’ll see Moon Knight’s costume, but not in the way you might want to

Full:

After staging his own death while battling Bullseye, at the end of issue 25, Moon Knight did away with his only publicly known persona, Marc Spector, and steered Jake Lockley out of his fractured sense of self and back into the fold. While the death of Marc Spector helps take him off the grid in a world that is trying to contain him, the resurgence of Lockley is more than just a thematic turning point for the series. (more…)

It’s occured to me that while the close of The Death of Marc Spector arc (potential spoiler alert!!!) has confirmed that we will see the return of Moon Knight’s street savvy cabbie persona, Jake Lockley, to the fold there was a glaring omission at the end of the last issue.

Where was Jake Lockley’s mustache???

Maybe the announcement of the 7th annual El Dia Del Mustache has enhanced my cognizance of the male (and some unlucky females) nose garden, but the Jake Lockley at the end of issue 25 was definitely sans lip shrubbery.

The mustache is key to Jake Lockley’s personage. Think I’m exaggerating? Check out this panel from the first issue of 1999′s Doug Moench written High Strangeness:

Jake Lockley's Mustache Has Work to Do

And now check out this panel from the same issue to see the mustache in all it’s glory:

Sweet 'Stache, Jake

See how casual yet commanding that ‘stache is? That hairy black hole above his lip carries that whole panel.

Please make sure that ‘stache is there in the Down South arc, Mike Benson and Jefte Palo. Lockley needs his lip locks.

Viva la Moon Knight! Viva la Mustache!

The end of The Death of Marc Spector arc arrived last week. I thought it was a great – if fairly predictable – ending to the series. Mike Benson managed to showcase some great action and character development and deliver it with style. In a sense, the slate is wiped clean for Moon Knight and it will be great to see where he goes from here.

But what about other critical takes on the finale? Check out some excerpts below:

Comics Bulletin:
by Kevin Powers
5 out of 5
Excerpt: Benson’s second story-arc is another great success. I think he worked through managing the Thunderbolts and did a good job bringing them into Moon Knight’s playground. The battle in this issue was phenomenal, maybe one of the best fights all year and the set up for the next arc is both fantastic and mind-boggling. I’m excited for the next arc as Benson is going to introduce new villains and get a crack at the Punisher. I’ll say it once again: if you aren’t reading this title, you should definitely start. [singlepic=13,320,240,,right]

WeeklyComicBookReview.com:
by Kyle Posluszny
B-
Excerpt: Probably the best thing that I can say about “The Death of Marc Spector” is that it has turned from being a story I was reading to get a Thunderbolts fix into something I have been more than happy to pick up. As only a casual fan of the character, the latest Moon Knight arc has done a nice job drawing me into his gritty world and interesting relationships. I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up sticking around even after I finish reading about Marc Spector’s “death.”

The Independent Comics Site:
by Brett P.
4 out of 5
Excerpt: For a guy who talks about pig gutting like it’s normal table conversation, Bullseye sure didn’t give or receive much blood, even after finding Moon Knight’s secret stash that would even make Frank Castle crack a smile. Still, this wasn’t about Bullseye. This was about the final stand of Marc Spector, whose friends and family came through in the end to help him go out in a blaze and mourn for their fallen warrior. They understood what must be have been done for their sake, as well Moon Knight’s.

Click on their respective links to check out the full reviews. Again, there isn’t much out there review-wise on The Death of Marc Spector finale. If you stumble upon any I can add to the list, be in touch!

Crescent Dart:

Overall, this a good, if unsurprising, ending to The Death of Marc Spector. The Bullseye/Moon Knight confrontation works not only as a great popcorn fight scene, but as solid character development on both counts. Nothing is really tied up here but the path is clear for Moon Knight to grow as a series and in the Marvel Universe.

Waxing:

Art is the strongest it’s been in this arc

Great action scenes

Frenchie is awesome

Waning:

No build up to the Moon Knight/Bullseye confrontation.

The end of the arc isn’t that surprising

Kind of pointless scene with The Profile

Full:

We’ve reached the end of The Death of Marc Spector arc-  an end that writer Mike Benson has been alluding to potentially being quite literal. In a way, it is literal, and in every way you would expect, it’s not at all.

The end is a little bittersweet. Bitter in the way that it’s basically typical of any standard story in which the protagonist is due to die -  without giving it all way just think that if The Death of Marc Spector were a movie, this is the ending the studio would have demanded. Guaranteed sequel.

Yet it’s totally sweet in the way that all the predictability is carried out with a style that only Moon Knight possesses. Moon Knight and Bullseye go head to head most of the issue and it’s no holds barred. Benson does a great job in capturing how ruthless both these killers are, and yet the differences in their styles.

Moon Knight says about three words in combat while Bullseye chats through most of the fight. It’s in Moon Knight’s silence that you get to see his strength in combat and how he flexes his strategic side. Essentially, at the end of the issue you get to see how in control Moon Knight really was during the whole confrontation. Contrary to that is Bullseye’s non-stop chatter, and the difference as he sees it between his de rigeur fights with Daredevil and Spiderman compared to fighting Moon Knight. The former two want to bring him in to justice, while Moon Knight is a known killer. In fact Bullseye seems confused with Moon Knight’s behavior during the fight as he was probably briefed on how much of a lunatic Marc Spector is, while Moon Knight here is calling most of the shots with a certain stratagem to them. It’s a great to see the parallels and differences between two of Marvel’s most psychotic characters. And I say psychotic with love behind that term .

What’s a little lacking here, is that there’s no build up to the confrontation in the issue itself. Seeing some behind the scenes from Norman Osborn and the Thunderbolts prepping would have added more impact to the battle and the subsequent scenes with Osborn, the Thunderbolts and Tony Stark. They felt a little disjointed from the rest of the happenings.

What isn’t lacking at all is Frenchie. Charlie Huston and Benson have developed Frenchie into perhaps the deepest character in the Moon Knight world, and that’s shown in full force here. He understands Moon Knight in a way that even Marlene doesn’t and watching his development over these last few arcs has been really rewarding. On the other hand, a brief scene with the Profile is kind of pointless and doesn’t really do anything for the story. Which sucks because he’s been a great character in previous arcs.

The art is at it’s most consistent in this issue than the rest of the arc. While he’s generally a fine artist, Mark Texeira’s work on this arc has seem noticeably rushed and incomplete. It’s like his heart hasn’t been in it. But he captures some great moments in this action-packed issue so he ends on a high note.

Overall, this a good, if unsurprising, ending to The Death of Marc Spector. The Bullseye/Moon Knight confrontation works not only as a great popcorn fight scene, but as solid character development on both counts. Nothing is really tied up here (with the exception of the Profile -  you’ll see) but the path is clear for Moon Knight to grow as a series and in the Marvel Universe.

Issue 25 just hit the stands and Marvel has already revealed images from Moon Knight Issue 26 which kicks off the Down South arc featuring the Punisher. It hits stands on January 21st, 2009.

Here’s the official line from Marvel:

The final issue (#25) of Benson/Texeira arc The Death of Marc Spector showcasing Moon Knight’s showdown with Bullseye is out tomorrow. I’ll serve up a review as soon as possible. I’ve had mixed feelings on this arc, but it’s been a pretty solid read thus far -  I’m just a tad concerned with where they’re gonna go with it.

We’ll see what goes down tomorrow…