Phase 2: His First Series

Issues 1-38 (Nov. 1980 - Jul. 1984): Starting early in MK's run in The HULK!, and continuing in Marvel Preview #21 [see Phase 1: The Early Years], Bill Sienkiewicz replaces Don Perlin as the artist identified with MK, as he continues his association with the hero through 32 of the 38 issues in this series. This is the series that establishes the Khonshu origin to replace the werewolf one, explaining that the werewolf "case" was arranged by Frenchie undercover, and that the werewolf did endow him with enhanced strength that was directly influenced by the moon--although this effect eventually wears off. Mostly written by creator Doug Moench, there were occasional issues or back-up short features by other writers: Jack C. Harris, Alan Zelenetz, Steve Ringgenberd, Tony Isabella, the appropriately named Steven Grant, and even series editor Denny O'Neil. By issue 36, Zelenetz became their steady writer, but it would only last for three issues (yet he does pick up again in volume 2, see Phase 3: Fist of Khonshu). [The change in writing staff, along with the series' "new direction" was reported in Marvel Age #9 (Dec. 1983, see below).] In #38, editor O'Neil announced in his editorial page that Moon Knight would return in a new series "within a couple of months." It actually took almost a year.
 
The idea that Moon Knight was one of the first Jewish superheroes can probably be attributed to Zelenetz, as Moench did not write him to be of any specific religion and named the character after someone who kept asking Doug to use his name in a comic book. When Zelenetz finished off the series with a story that explored Spector's past, incorporating elements only hinted at before, he gave him a rabbi for a father, thus establishing his faith.

Annual 15 (1981): Dennis O'Neil may be editor of the Moon Knight series, but he didn't include him in the story he wrote here. MK only appears in a back section that compares the strengths of Marvel's heroes. (For MK enthusiasts, it is only interesting in how it ranks Marvel's main characters in relation to each other's powers.)

Issues 227, 229 (Feb., Apr. 1981): Ben Grimm's girlfriend, Alicia Masters, is "fascinated" by the Luna Crusader (as The Thing calls him, considering him "just another costumed clown") and sculpts a statue of Moon Knight, being worked on in #227 and revealed finished in #229. Is it really so surprising, given that these issues are written by Doug Moench himself, with pencils by Bill Sienkiewicz! A fun "appearance," even if he's not actually in it, and made more legitimate by the fact that it's by MK's main creative team. (Though it does suggest that The Thing is not very familiar with MK, ignoring the non-Moench-written Marvel Two-in-One that teamed them up [see Phase 1: The Early Years.])

Annual 4 (Aug. 1981): Written by Frank Miller, this annual issue features a team-up of FIVE heroes: MK, Spidey, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and Daredevil. (And just as with The Thing above, Moench treats the meeting between MK & DD in the main series as if this one never happened.) [MK will later team up with DD & Cage in Marvel Knights, see Phase 5: Resurrected(?)--Again!]

Issue 211 (Sep. 1981): In this story by Jim Shooter, MK is one of many heroes who are telepathically compelled to show up at the Avengers headquarters and "audition" (a.k.a. fight each other) for a spot on the team. MK actually has a larger part than most of the guest heroes here, as opposed to many of his later Avengers appearances, where he is usually reduced to being part of the landscape.

Issue 220 (Sep. 1981): Written by Michael Fleischer, MK once again fights and then teams up with Spidey. This is a big month for MK: in addition to his own comic, he makes substantial appearances in two top comics in the Marvel line (see The Avengers above)! 

Issue 23 (Oct. 1981): Writer Bill Mantlo gives MK a brief appearance, as he, Spidey, Captain America, and DD each seek out the main character, who is believed to be a threat. Meanwhile, ROM is aided by guests Iron Fist and Power Man. MK is in one panel, with two speech bubbles.

Issue 82 (Jan. 1982): Moon Knight is included in this comedy mag, which I have not seen, so I don't know how big an appearance it is. But since this is a MAD-style magazine and not an actual comic book (which I was hesitant about even mentioning here), it is not to be taken seriously anyway.

Issue 65 (Apr. 1982): Writer Bill Mantlo actually featured MK in this series in a memorable two-parter years earlier (see Phase 1: The Early Years), earning him the distinction of having written MK's meeting and first team-up with Spidey, but here he is only mentioned in a thought balloon(!).

(This is a perfect example of what led me to create this site, since other ones that simply list all of his appearances--and include this non-appearance--do not explain the actual nature of the appearance. Seriously, do they actually count every time Spidey or Captain America just happens to be mentioned in a comic book as an appearance?)

Issue 1 (May 1982): A comic book with heavy emphasis on the "comic" part; is not meant to be treated as canon. Cover art makes you think you picked up MAD Magazine instead, but the inside art is more traditional. After telling Jack Russell not to wolf down his food and trading quips with Reed Richards (who refers to him as "Caped Crusader," prompting MK to call him "Plastic Guy"), he threatens to "moon you all!" He is also in a two-page gallery-type shot of all the heroes springing to action.

Issue 1 (Jun. 1982): Bill Mantlo wrote this issue (from a story he created with Mark Gruenwald and Steven Grant), in which the Grandmaster and Death abduct every Marvel superhero and divide them into teams to compete with each other in their grand game. As MK is not selected, he is only in issue 1. Comic Vine also lists issue 2, and he may be in a crowd scene, but it is not clearly enough identifiable as him.

Issue 34 (Aug. 1982): "What if the Watcher Was a Stand-up Comedian?" Includes a few jabs at MK's expense; fans may wish to know that Sienkiewicz himself provided a full-page comic scenario. Appears on three pages (sorta; to explain further would give away the gag), plus the cover, where he can be seen knocking Silver Surfer off his board!

Issue 161 (Aug. 1982): Moon Knight editor Dennis O'Neil wrote this story, where MK must come to Iron Man's aid. Finally, a new guest appearance that isn't a joke or doesn't have MK simply serving as background filler (see past few listings above)!

Issue 72 (Nov. 1982): Bill Mantlo, who previously wrote MK into this series as a guest (see Phase 1: The Early Years), uses him only in passing this time around. (At least he's actually shown in this one, instead of simply "mentioned" as he was in issue 65 [see above on this page]!) Nothing more than a one-panel appearance.

Issue 87, 88 (Nov. - Dec. 1982): Moon Knight editor Denny O'Neil again writes MK into another series (see two entries above), this time (in #87) in need of rescue himself! Just three months after saving Shell-head from drowning, MK finds himself in a similar danger, and Marlene must acquire the services of Heroes-for-Hire! Kharma at work. In #88, Jake Lockley gives Iron Fist a ride in his cab.

Issues 8, 10 (May, Aug. 1983): In #8 he is simply a gag image at the beginning of "The Bill Sienkiewicz Portfolio," and in #10 his only appearance is in the "Brent Anderson Portfolio." In neither issue does he appear as a character in a story, issue 8 featuring a story about Dr. Strange and an installment of The Jungle Book, and #10 featuring Black Widow (providing a pretty good character history) and more Jungle Book.

Issue 4 (Dec. 1983): Writer Mark Gruenwald includes a flashback to MK's appearance in a 1979 Marvel Two-In-One but does not use him in this story otherwise. See how Crossfire continues his schemes after MK and The Thing interfered with them years earlier [see Phase 1: The Early Years].

Issue 9 (Dec. 1983): Robert J. Sodaro reports on the change in direction when Moench and Sienkiewicz leave and editor Denny O'Neil brings on Zelenetz with the intent to play up the supernatural aspect (which Moench was not in favor of--and probably the reason for his splitting) since "Marvel has lots of [street-level] superhero crimefighters" already.

Issue 144 (Aug. 1984): Released just one month after his series is cancelled, MK joins the black-suited Spidey for a top-notch morality tale by writer Cary Burkett. In just one issue, Burkett proves to have a firm grasp on, and full understanding of, the Moon Knight character and how to write for him. It's a shame he wasn't hired to write for Moon Knight ever again.