Phase 3: Fist of Khonshu

Issues 1-6 (Jun. 1985 - Dec. 1985): Although this is only six issues long, it is not considered to be a mini-series (as are Doug Moench's later 4-part events, see Phase 5: Resurrected(?)--Again!), but rather as Moon Knight Volume 2. I don't know whether it was cancelled or intended as an abbreviated series, but the way it abruptly stops without a warning or advance notice given on the Editorial page suggests that it was meant to run longer. Alan Zelenetz wrote #1-4, Jo Duffy and Chris Warner wrote #5, and Jim Owsley wrote #6.

In this series, MK is stripped of the very things that made him so unique: his multiple identities. They also "explain" Marlene's incorrect last name (she was Marlene Fontaine in her first appearance, back in 1976's Marvel Spotlight [see Phase 1: The Early Years]) by having it be the last name of an ex-husband that she leaves Marc to go back to.

Annual 1 (1985): This devotes a page (in comic book form this time, rather than article form) to each of their series, showing what storylines are running in each title.

Issues 25, 30 (Mar. 1986, Jan. 1987): Issue 25 simply includes him in its art gallery. Issue 30 offers a very surreal story that is not typical for MK and was written by Ann Nocenti, with art inked by the great Al Williamson. Sort of a "lost episode" that doesn't fit into any particular timeline, it doesn't follow where Fist of Khonshu left off a year earlier.

Issues 21-37, 39-41, Annuals 2, 3  (Jun. 1987 - Feb. 1989): Mostly written by Steve Englehart, but also Tom DeFalco, Mark Gruenwald, and even illustrator Al Milgrom, MK joins the Avengers in their West Coast branch, only to leave them two years later upon learning that he wasn't acting of his own will but was experiencing life as an Avenger for the benefit of Khonshu, who was basically inhabiting his body and guiding his actions. Once Khonshu is exorcised from him by Daimon Hellstrom, MK quits and returns to fight crime on the streets of New York as before. The whole "Khonshu possession" bit probably came about to help justify MK's worth as a member of this group, as he needed some sort of paranormal influence to keep him from being just another powerless member of the team. As for issue 38, MK appears on the cover's corner box, which shows the team members' faces, but he is nowhere inside.
 
No aliases, no Marlene and Frenchie, none of what made MK what he was. This often happens in such series; as much as you like putting all the heroes together in the same group, they tend to lose their individuality, and their personal side stories and supporting cast go right out the window. Case in point: without Marlene in this, MK gets romantically involved with Tigra. Once Khonshu is out of the picture--and out of his body--he ends the relationship (so perhaps the romance was actually between Tigra and Khonshu?) and returns home.

Issue 4 (Oct. 1987): Steve Englehart includes MK in a group shot of faces that the Surfer sees in a vision about the Avengers being in danger, referring to the story he is writing in The West Coast Avengers Annual 2.

Annual 16 (Oct. 1987): Concludes the story begun in The West Coast Avengers Annual 2, with this installment written by Tom DeFalco. Another of those Death vs. Grandmaster stories, where they use superheroes as pawns in their "game" [see Marvel Super Hero Contest of Champions on the Phase 2: His First Series page]. A must-have if you're collecting all the MK West Coast Avenger appearances.

Issue 3 (Feb. 1988): Following a Hawkeye story by Tom DeFalco comes a very interesting MK story written by Roger Stern and featuring Jack Russell (Werewolf by Night) and the Night Shift. Opens up some intriguing ideas, were MK to become leader of this group, but alas, it was never to be . . . (Another must-have if you're following the West Coast Avengers storyline.)

This was a special month for MK; not only does he have a solo story in this series, but he also goes on a solo adventure in The West Coast Avengers (issue 29), and yes, the two stories are related.

Issue 229 (Apr. 1988): In a story written by David Michelinie, the West Coast Avengers confront ol' Shell-head to find out why he's been acting so strange, and his story unfolds. MK appears in 5 panels and isn't really a part of the story, other than to show that the entire team showed up to hear the tale.

Issues 38, 39, 43 (Jun., Aug. 1988, Apr. 1989): A solo story in #38 is accompanied by a Rogue/Dazzler tale (both written by Jo Duffy); in #39 Hawkeye is featured in the main story while MK is in a very poor short written by Michael Carlin; and in #43 he can only be found in the art gallery at back, in a piece where he is drawn alongside . . . Wonder Man (. . . why?).

Both stories are non-Avenger solo tales that could fit into any preceding timeline, except that he wears the gold accoutrements (but no ankh on his chest) in #38, placing that one after the Fist of Khonshu series. And since Jo Duffy cowrote an issue of that short-lived series, I suspect this tale was supposed to appear in a later issue that never happened.

Issue 2 (Jul. 1988): Bob Harras wrote this intriguing six-parter which has a real epic feel to it. MK appears in only one panel of issue 2, simply seen standing among his West Coast Avenger allies.

Issue 1, (Aug. 1988): Unlike in the Fantastic Four Roast, this one does have a lampoonish art style. And MK actually does what he threatened to do at the F.F. roast [see Phase 2: His First Series page]!