Phase 6: Vigilante

Marvel Legacy: The 1970s Handbook

Issue 1 (2006): Various writers contributed. MK is mentioned in the section for "the Committee" and is listed as a "notable associate" on the Defenders' page, each one accompanied by a picture.

Doc Samson

Issue 4 (Jun. 2006): MK has a one-panel appearance in this story by Paul di Filippo.

Moon Knight

Issues 1-30, 2008 Annual (Jun. 2006 - Jul. 2009): In the hands of writer Charlie Huston, and later Mike Benson (plus Duane Swierczynski, who wrote the annual), this series presents a Moon Knight that is further removed from Doug's creation than the various alternate reality ones we've encountered thus far (though in fairness to Swierczynski, the depiction of MK in his tale, in which he made only minor appearances, was not so off-base). A vigilante MK who would literally rip his nemesis's face off after killing him . . . Frenchie revealing that he stuck by Spector all these years because he's secretly been in love with him(!) . . . Visions of Khonshu haunting MK in the guise of the now-faceless Bushman (why?) and constantly egging him to commit murder (which gets tiresome real fast) . . . As the expression goes: this is not your father's Moon Knight.

I recommend issue 20 for the affordable way to obtain a color reprint of both Werewolf by Night issues that introduced MK, #32 & 33. Additionally, the main feature offers a flashback tale that takes place prior to the events and situations presented in the rest of this series (actually, a dozen years before this series begins), when Marlene and even Frenchie helped him fight crime and he still made use of his various aliases (Grant & Lockley).

Civil War Files and Civil War: Battle Damage Report

Files (2006), Battle Damage Report (2007): Various writers are credited for these character guidebooks that purportedly present Tony Stark's summary descriptions of his fellow heroes. In Files, MK gets a whole page devoted to him; in Battle Damage Report, he gets a half-page treatment.

What If? Featuring The Avengers Disassembled

Issue 1 (Jan. 2007): Writer Jeff Parker revisits Brian Michael Bendis's end to the Avengers in "What if the Scarlet Witch Hadn't Acted Alone?" MK appears twice as (yes, you guessed it!) a face in the crowd.

What If? Featuring Wolverine: Enemy of the State

Issue 1 (Jan. 2007): Jimmie Robinson wrote "What if Wolverine Was Never Deprogrammed?" Moon Knight gets a whole page to go toe-to-toe with Wolverine. Who wins? Easy. Whose comic is it?

White Tiger

Issue 3 (March 2007): Technically, I probably should NOT be listing this, as it does not have an appearance by MK, but in issue 3 of this 6-part mini written by Tamora Pierce with Timothy Liebe, MK is mentioned on The Daily Bugle's "Page 7," as columnist Sean O'Reilly gives costume makeover advice for MK and a few other heroes.

The Mighty Avengers

Issue 1 (May 2007): Written by Brian Michael Bendis, this only has MK's image on a computer monitor (in two panels) as Iron Man helps Ms. Marvel choose the members of her new team (he isn't even mentioned in passing).

Bullet Points

Issue 5 (May 2007): J. Michael Straczynski wrote this five-part alternate-reality tale. Another one-panel spot.

The Loners

Issue 2 (Jul. 2007): C.B. Cebulski wrote this six-issue series. MK appears on a TV screen alongside Iron Fist in one frame, but they could have had any hero penciled in there for this generic usage.

Marvel Zombies: Dead Days

Issue 1 (Jul. 2007): Robert Kirkman wrote this one-shot prequel to the Marvel Zombies series. MK is a face in a crowd.

Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness (or Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness)

Issue 5 (Aug. 2007): Written by John Layman. Zombie MK is in two panels.

Avengers Classic

Issue 1 (Aug. 2007): Cover appearance only--and not easy to find either!

World War Hulk: Front Line

Issue 5 (Dec. 2007): Paul Jenkins wrote this six-issue series, in which MK is given a couple of pages to intimidate a mugger.

House of M: Avengers

Issues 1-5 (Jan. - Apr. 2008): Christos N. Gage wrote this five-issue series. Luke Cage is the main character, who recruits heroes to defend "Sapien Town." Other prominently featured recruits include Iron Fist, Hawkeye, Mockingbird, Tigra, and, along the way, Misty Knight, the White Tiger, Shang-Chi and his "Dragons" team, the Wolfpack team, the Prowler (simply Hobie here), Cloak, and the Black Cat, with the Punisher as an unofficial ally. [Interesting to note the different dynamics between characters here and in Marvel Knights, where Cage was recruited by MK!]

The Last Defenders

Issue 1 (May 2008): Art from the cover of issue 50 of the original series of The Defenders is displayed on a screen in "low resolution." Not an actual character appearance.

Marvel Your Universe Saga

Issue 1 (Aug. 2008): Update on the state of affairs for all characters and series in your Marvel Universe. Various writers.

Marvel Apes

Issue 0 (Dec. 2008): Cover gallery in the back shows the variant covers that showcased Marvel heroes as apes, in this case the cover for Oct. 2008's Moon Knight #21.

Hulk

Issues 7-9 (Dec. 2008 - Feb. 2009): Written by Jeph Loeb, MK is a major player in this story, which doesn't seem to concern itself with the 2006 series, during which run these came out. Although Steven (spelled "Stephen" here) Grant seems to be covered in patched-up bruises from some recent encounter, the story does not seem to follow the Charlie Huston series' chain of events, especially considering that these came out about the time of the "Death of Marc Spector" story arc. And even though Steven Grant is never "revealed" by name (other than his misspelled first name), his arrival with a beautiful blond named "Marlene" just before MK steps onto the scene is obvious to all but those who don't know him.

Moon Knight: Silent Knight

Issue 1 (Jan. 2009): Written by Peter Milligan. I don't know why this wouldn't be considered another annual to the 2006 series, especially since it presents the character as depicter in that series.

What If? Secret Wars

Issue 1 (Feb. 2009): Writer Karl Bollers speculates "What if . . . Doctor Doom Kept the Beyonder's Power?" MK is in a couple of panels but is basically just one in a crowd. [Also has C.B. Cebulski's conclusion to the five-part accompanying story that was running in What If? one-shots at the time: "What if the Runaways Became the Young Avengers?"]

Punisher

Issue 1  (Mar. 2009): In the back of Rick Remender's premiere issue is "The Punisher Saga," which gives a summary of his appearances. Moon Knight is shown twice and mentioned a few times.

New Warriors

Issue 20 (Mar. 2009): Written by Kevin Grevioux. MK is nothing more than a face in a crowd of heroes once again in this one.

Dark Avengers

Issue 5 (Aug. 2009): How's this for an obscure catch? A poster of MK hangs on a wall in Ares' son's bedroom. Written by Brian Michael Bendis.

Marvel Zombies Return

Issue 5 (Nov. 2009): Written by Fred Van Lente. Zombie MK is actually one of the main characters in this issue.

Marvel Zombies: Evil Evolution

Issue 1 (Nov. 2009): Written by Karl Kesel. Comic Vine says MK is supposed to be in this one. I say, "Where?" [Perhaps this is another case of his name being mentioned in a speech balloon somewhere.]