Phase 11: Exploring his dark side

Issues 1-4 (Feb. - Mar. 2020): Writer Jim Zub sticks MK in with a bunch of Robert E. Howard characters (Conan, Dark Agnes, and Solomon Kane) due to his association with Set (enemy of Khonshu). It does hint at a new direction for a future series to take, based on a new ability he acquires by the end, but it is not clear whether this is taking place on Earth-616 (given the different situation that Marc is living in), and the new power isn't used or addressed ever again.

(Jun. 2021): Only listed here because of the Fred Hembeck art on the cover, which includes his depiction of MK among the dozen heroes shown.

Issues 33-38, 45 (Jun. 2020 -  Jan. 2021, Jun. 2021): Writer Jason Aaron has Moon Knight (with the help of Khonshu) take on top-level Avengers (and villains) that would normally be way out of his league and dispatch them with ease. Acting like a villain but with the intent to save the world, he seems to be burning a lot of bridges among the Marvel superhero community. Will his reputation be recovered or forever blemished by these latest actions? In issue 38, he is simply in the very beginning, taking his leave of Black Panther and the Avengers to return to his own little corner of the world, where he will feel more at home. At the back of #45 is a one-page introduction/setup for Jed MacKay's brand-new series.

Issue 7 (Aug. 2021): An alternate-reality version of MK, written by Jason Aaron, shows him with a different look as part of the Dark Squadron. (According to Comic Vine, he is supposed to be in #5 also, but I could find no proof of this.)

Issue 1 (Sep. 2021): Robbie Thompson provides a simplistic explanation for how Moon Knight came to be.

Issues 1-30, Annual 1 [2022], Annual 1 [2023] (Sep. 2021 - Feb. 2024): Jed MacKay has MK set up shop (the Midnight Mission) to fight street-level crime once again, with a new assistant (a vampiric teenage Black girl) and brand-new villains. One adversary turns into an ally, as this series introduces the (possibly long-awaited?) "other" Fist of Khonshu: Hunter's Moon. And Tigra comes onboard, secretly assigned by Black Panther to keep an eye on MK after his notorious "Age of Khonshu" incident--which is not unwarranted, as he does start to act in a manner more akin to the 2006 Moon Knight: brutal, violent, murderous. But when his Disney+ series comes out and he starts to embody elements of the show's characteristics (it does seem typical for Marvel to adapt their comic book characters to be more like the on-screen versions), Steven Grant forcibly wrests control away from Marc (something never seen before in the character's history!) and the personalities in his mind hold an intervention. [Note the unconventional numbering of Annuals, each one being given the number 1, contrary to traditional practices.]

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I feel that I should also add a notation here about Denise Niecy. In issue 20, there is a special Black History Month segment in back that shows that a black woman was the Fist of Khonshu before Marc. In the summer of 1977, to be exact. I would like to say that this is an alternate dimension incarnation or that it is simply a one-off idea that could be ignored (since it really messes up with continuity otherwise), but unfortunately I cannot. Denise helps Blade and he owes a favor to her (a favor that gets passed along to Marc), and when Marc asks for Blade to help train his assistant, Reese, Blade does so to fulfill that obligation. But even if we ignore the fact that Marc has been Moon Knight at least as far back as 1975 (which is easy to do, given the fact that his background history was rewritten in the Huston years), it does open up the question "If there were people running around in Moon Knight type costumes before, why did no one know who Marc was supposed to be when he first stepped on the scene and presented himself as the Fist of Khonshu?" You would think that if a superhero was killed or driven mad, as is suggested to be the fate of those who serve as the Fist of Khonshu, people would have heard about it and know more about the god's vigilantes on Earth.

Issues 3, 4 (Oct. 2021): Jimmy Gomez offers this exclusive piece that features a Knight of Khonshu from a previous time period.

Issue 2 (Nov. 2021): Jackson Lansing and Collin Kelly present an early historic version of Moon Knight, who in this issue is Kang's love interest, Ravonna.

Issue 1 (Feb. 2022): Jed MacKay sticks MK on a few pages, where he shows that he has already completed one of Spidey's tasks, in his own way--viciously, as this takes place at a time when MK starts getting more violent and psychopathic again in his own series.

Issues 1, 4, 6 (Feb., Apr., Jun. 2022): Chip Zdarsky offers MK as the ideal candidate for a hero who would resist Fisk's mayoral decree against super-powered vigilantes, showing him take on Fisk's Thunderbolts in #1. In #4, he appears in two frames fighting along with the Fantastic Four, and in #6 he is only in one panel, joining the fray with his "Convict Cavalry" companions, the FF. ["I approve of this message." If you saw the comic pages in #1, you'd get that reference.] Too bad he wasn't really in it much.

(Mar. 2022): I'd rather not include this at all, but I suppose informing the misguided before they mistake this for a comic book plays into the whole purpose behind this website. It's NOT a comic; it's a very long ad promoting Marvel (seemingly favoring characters currently or soon appearing on the big or small screen). And I really resent that sites would depict this as an actual comic book.

Issue 40 (Apr. 2022): Writer Dan Slott includes a few frames showing MK doing his part in the Reckoning War.

Issues 1, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15 (Feb., May 2022, Feb., Mar., May 2023): Jason Aaron offers a different, female Moon Knight (Earth-818's, I believe), so it isn't the character this site is devoted to.

Issue 1 (May 2022): Current MK series writer Jed MacKay delivers a hardcore MK tale that puts a spin on the main character's part in this Devil's Reign crossover.

Issues 1-4 (Jul. -  Oct. 2022): Pointless miniseries showcasing different author/artist teams delivering three "scenes"--I can't call them stories--per issue. Writers include Jonathan Hickman, Murewa Ayodele, and Marc Guggenheim (who tells his tale completely in reverse for no clever reason that I can fathom, outside of an attempt at being interesting) in #1; Benjamin Percy, David Pepose, and Patrick "Patch" Zircher (who is also a fantastic artist that used to provide exquisite art for the 1996 Nightwing series) in #2; Erica Schultz, Jim Zub, and Ann Nocenti in #3; and Christopher Cantwell, Nadia Shammas, and Paul Azaceta in #4.

Issue 4 (Aug. 2022): MK appears with a few other heroes seeking She-Hulk's legal services. He speaks one line, all of four words. Written by Rainbow Rowell.

Issue 3 (Sep. 2022): Written by Frank Tieri and John Cerilli, this comedic piece has MK being mooned by a Spider-Ham imposter in one panel. The setup is actually funnier than earlier joke comics that included a similar gag.

Issue 45 (Sep. 2022): MK appears in one panel alongside other heroes and says one line. Writer Dan Slott could have used anyone in that spot--or perhaps left it up to the artist to decide which hero to include, since it made no difference to the story.

Issue 177 (Sep. 2022): Although I said that I didn't plan to include magazines, I am making exceptions when they have something of value to Moon Knight fans. And I believe this issue of Roy Thomas's magazine about the comic book industry, which has a feature celebrating MK co-creator Don Perlin, qualifies. In his interview, he gives a few remarks about the character's creation and what happened when Moon Knight was no longer in his hands. Additionally, the art for the splash page of Werewolf by Night #32 (featuring Moon Knight battling the titular character) is used for its cover.

Issue 5 (Oct. 2022): In this Benjamin Percy series, MK is among a horde of heroes and villains, all riding their hogs to be in some sort of race or contest, the prize being that the devil will give you whatever you ask for. MK is singled out as being unafraid to fight gods or demons. Ghost Rider wonders if MK might be there to keep the wrong people from getting to the finish line.

Issue 1 (Oct. 2022): Cover appearance, showing that he is part of this series of one-shots, plus the ad on the last page shows the cover of the "next issue," the upcoming Ms. Marvel & Moon Knight one-shot (see below).

Issue 5 (Oct. 2022): Writer of the current Moon Knight series, Jed McKay has Clea visit the Midnight Mission to ask Moon Knight about his experiences with death. She accompanies him on his nightly patrol. A worthy entry that can fit in with MK's main series, especially since it is by that series' writer! It is important to note that a "revenant" of Marc's brother--"Shadowknight"--attacks and is dispatched by Clea in issue 4.

Issue 1 (Oct. 2022): Ms. Marvel visits the Midnight Mission to enlist the aid of Moon Knight (and Hunter's Moon along the way) in this one-shot team-up written by Jody Houser, who has Moon Knight and Hunter's Moon--by acting together--summon a "sliver" of Khonshu to aid them. A fitting addition to the currently running series.

Issue 1 (Oct. 2022): Adam F. Goldberg (TV's The Goldbergs) and Hans Rodionoff include Moon Knight for a brief scene in what I can only describe as a modern What The--?!

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(Been a busy month for MK, no? Appeared in seven comics.)

Issue 1 (Nov. 2022): After each appear in one panel, showing a flashback to the preceding issues (Ms. Marvel & Wolverine and Ms. Marvel & Moon Knight, above), both Wolverine and Moon Knight join in for the second half's big fight scene, as this Jody Houser trilogy(?) reaches its conclusion.

Issue 5 (Nov. 2022): MK is in one page's full-page art that shows heroes springing into action, but he can be found nowhere else in this installment of Kieron Gillen's miniseries.

Issue 1 (Dec. 2022): Of the half dozen short tales included in this horror-themed Halloween special (street date is actually October 19), MK does not even fill three pages of Rebecca Roanhorse's "Werewolf by Moon Knight" piece, in which he simply shows up for a brief fight and has nothing else to contribute to the story (somewhat of an insult to MK fans). His prominence on the cover, as well as one of the variant covers, is very misleading. It simply offers an opportunity for MK to meet the latest Werewolf by Night, Jake Gomez.

Issues 62-66 (Jan. - May 2023): In these tales by Jason Aaron will be found either a Moon Knight from one million years B.C. or Earth 818's female Moon Knight (see Avengers Forever above).

Issue 1 (Jan. 2023): More of Jason Aaron's multiversal takes on MK (see Avengers Forever above and the preceding Avengers listing).

Issue 4 (Mar. 2023): Writers Taboo (Jimmy Gomez) and B. Earl include MK among the superheroes Spidey must fight in the nightmare realm he is stuck in. They aren't really there, though, and MK doesn't even get more than a small appearance on a two-page spread.

Issues 9-12 (Mar. - Jul. 2023): In Jason Aaron's tale of a power-enhanced Frank Castle (turned into the Fist of the Beast for the Hand in exchange for having his wife back from the dead), the Fist of Khonshu reports on the Fist of the Beast to Doctor Strange, Captain America, Wolverine, and the Black Widow on the last two pages of #9 and accompanies them to confront Frank on the last page of #10. In #11, their fight ensues, and the heroes weigh judgement on Frank in #12.

Issues 33-36 (Feb. - Mar. 2023): Written by Alex Segura, this four-parter has Moon Knight tracking down the Shroud, who he believes murdered a woman associated with his Midnight Mission, only to get entangled with Lore and Master Pandemonium! Captain America and Spider-Woman--and the Shroud--assist. Need subscription to access.

Issue 1 (Apr. 2023): In this one-shot that connects with other one-shots, writers Jim Zub and Ray Fawkes have Arcade pit his Murderworld contestants against an artificial Moon Knight. Since it isn't actually him in this issue, I hate to include it, but since "Moon Knight" is clearly in the issue's title, I have to explain why. (They really should have just had a "Murderworld" miniseries instead.) I do, however, like that Arcade decided to include MK due to his current "spike in popularity."

Issue 1 (Jun. 2023): Jason Aaron may be joined by others in bringing his transdimensional tale to an end. Although not a big part of the story, the alternate Moon Knights included here are the two mentioned in the above Avengers titles (Earth 818's and the one from one million years B.C.), plus a sneak peak at a new, different female MK.

Issue 2 (Jun. 2023): MK series writer Jed MacKay has him bring a case to the Stranges that is outside of his field of experience. A nice quid pro quo from Strange issue 5 (above). He is in the beginning and the end but not the main action.

Issue 1-5 (Jul. 2023): Steve Orlando offers a seemingly new "Moon Knight 2099" character, operating from a base in the Crescent Crypt on the Moon.

Issue 1 (Aug. 2023): Steve Orlando's "Prelude to Contest of Chaos" (of which MK is expected to be a part) does not feature Moon Knight at all, but he does appear on a variant cover in anticipation of his participation.

Issue 4 (Aug. 2023): MK makes a one-panel appearance (saying only one two-letter word) toward the beginning of Murewa Ayodele's tale.

Issues 1-5 (Sep. 2023 - Jan. 2024): David Pepose taps elements of the Disney+ series (Ammut, the Duat, the scales of justice) to present a tale from the Egyptian underworld that allows us to see Layla El-Faouly (invented for the live-action show) in the comics as the Scarlet Scarab.

Issue 1 (Oct. 2023): Erica Schultz tells the alternate-reality tale of what could have happened if Bushman killed Spector in issue 3 of Marc Spector: Moon Knight. Khonshu isn't the only Egyptian god who can have an avatar, and Ra gives Marlene the opportunity to honor and avenge Marc by making her "his Luminary." I actually didn't intend to buy this until I learned of who would be replacing him.

Issue 1 (Oct. 2023): MK makes a one-panel appearance in a dream sequence that features numerous heroes in the premier issue of Iman Vellani & Sabir Pirzada's series.

Issue 1 (Nov. 2023): As done in Ms. Marvel & Moon Knight (above), MK joins in for the second part of Carlos Hernández's three-part "Solve for X" tale. Though he wasn't in the first part (Strange Academy: Miles Morales #1) at all, the way they leave things off in this one suggests he would be back for part three, which is in Strange Academy: The Amazing Spider-Man #1. Instead, he is left out of that one and his plight is basically ignored.

Issue 1 (Dec. 2023): Moon Knight is in the third story of this issue, "Deliverance," written by Ashley Allen, in which he battles against a zombie Iron Man that serves Anubis the way that MK serves Khonshu.

Issue 1 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is among a number of heroes who are all either exhausted or (more likely) dead on one page of the Cullen Bunn story in this seven-story/seven writer-artist release.

Issue 38 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline. Unlike most of the others, this is a call-back to a comic book cover that actually stars Spider-Man alongside Moon Knight: Marvel Team-Up #144 (see the Phase 2: His First Series page).

Issue 7 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline. A billboard behind MK advertises that the West Coast Avengers are looking for new members. "Who Will Answer the Call?" it asks, with the phone number 555-ASSEMBLE.

Issue 6 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 3 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 2 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 3 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline. At least Daredevil's on the cover with MK.

Issue 9 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline. At least Doctor Strange is on the cover with MK.

Issue 13 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline. This cover obviously references Marvel Two-in-One #52 (see the Phase 1: The Early Years page), which starred The Thing, MK, and Crossfire.

Issue 20 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline. At least Ghost Rider's on the cover with MK.

Issue 8 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 4 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 6 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 12 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 1 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline. There is a missed opportunity here to feature any of the major events that MK has shared with the Punisher.

Issue 10 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 2 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 1 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 27 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 1 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 39 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline.

Issue 28 (Jan. 2024): Moon Knight is featured on a "Knight's End" variant cover in recognition of his "Death of Moon Knight" storyline. At least Gambit's on the cover with MK.

Hardbound Book (Jan. 2024): Mike Maihack presents a three-volume series of Mighty Marvel Team-Ups for kids, the second of which ("Quantum Quest") includes Moon Knight in a few scenes, including one where he's chillin' with Moon Girl.

Issue 1 (Feb. 2024): In an alternate future tale, the "Immortal Moon Knight" is introduced in this one-shot written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, in which he serves a world-dominating Khonshu and fights against a powered-up Power Man, Luke Cage. It isn't Mark, but I won't reveal who it is to preserve the mystery for fans of Power Man that might appreciate this story. Other depictions of Moon Knight appear in flashback imagery, one of which may be Spector's.

Issue 4-5 (Feb. -  Mar. 2024): Al Ewing brings in MK, just as he is dying in his main series, to help solve a murder mystery that points to him as the killer. The dialog is witty and reminiscent of the Tom Baker years of Doctor Who, but the lack of seriousness in his opening scene is in contrast to the rest of the issue. Having him still continue to make appearances after his series (and supposedly his life) has ended somewhat dilutes the whole "Moon Knight's dead!" thing, but I did appreciate the West Coast Avengers connection.