Phase 7: Redeemed at Last?

Issue 1 (Nov. 2009): Written by John Rhett Thomas, Dugan Trodglen, and Jess Harrold, this free comic is obviously intended to drum up interest for the new series. It is the history of the character as told by Spector himself, leading up to current events (and, of course, preparing readers for issue #1 of Vengeance of the Moon Knight). Well researched by obvious fans of the character.

Issues 1-10 (Nov. 2009 - Sep. 2010): Gregg Hurwitz kicks off this new series, in which MK is determined to restore his honor and avoid killing. He still endures (and must learn to defy) Khonshu's little appearances as his "bad conscience," but the deity now appears with the skull of a scavenger bird for a head (which doesn't make sense because, when he is depicted with a bird-type head in classical mythological drawings, it is that of a bird of prey with a much smaller beak).

In a move similar to that done in #20 of the preceding series (which reprinted MK's first appearance from Werewolf by Night--issues 32 & 33--after its new story), the premiere issue of this series reprints the first issue of MK's first series at the back [and I must admit that it was a smart move, with the origin tale helping to emphasize his aversion to cold-blooded murder and acting as a good companion piece to the new story].

Issue 50 (Apr. 2010): Written by Brian Reed, Moon Knight does not appear in it at all but is included on one of the cover variants made for this series finale.

Issue 8 (Apr. 2010): Written by Victor Gischler, the Moon Knight in here is the Zombieverse counterpart.

Issue 1 (Jun. 2010): Written by Jonathan Hickman, this Moon Knight is a past incarnation (from 2620 B.C.!) and should not be considered an appearance by the subject of this web page.

Issue 36 (Jun. 2010): Written by Brian Michael Bendis, MK is simply a face in the crowd again, and on top of that his appearance is only an artificial image and not really him.

Issues 1-12, 12.1, 13-16, 19, 21 (Jul. 2010 - Oct. 2011, Jan., Mar. 2012): As heralded in Heroic Age Previews #1, Moon Knight once again joins a group of caped crusaders (which initially included Steve Rogers, War Machine, Black Widow, Beast, Nova, Ant-Man [Eric O'Grady], Valkyrie, Agent 13 [Sharon Carter], and our beloved MK) in a series written by Ed Brubaker. Steve Rogers, the former Sentinel of Liberty Captain America, chooses his recruits with the intent to form a "special shadow ops" team of Avengers. No fame-seekers here, this group is to operate "under the radar" and get things done without public awareness or even appreciation. And MK fits right in.

As of issue 12.1, Nick Spencer took over the reigns of this series briefly and spent most of his time doing solo adventures as if this was the old Solo Avengers series. (Issue 13 focused on Beast, 14 showcased Valkyrie alone, and 15 was all Black Widow's.) As for MK, he is only listed on the first page's team roster for issues 13 through 15. Warren Ellis took over in issue 16 and brought MK back aboard, but he of course would not be expected to appear in every issue. MK bowed out of 17 & 18, only to return in fine form for issue 19. But after issue 21, Rick Remender takes over as steady writer with his "new" team.

In issues 5, 6, and 8, MK only appears as an image on a monitor, and in #7 he is only on the cover. Issues 11 & 12 are all about Steve Rogers and John Steele, and the only team member to play a part in them is Beast; the rest of the team are simply detailed on the introduction pages. So technically MK is really only in 1-4, 9, 10, 12.1, 16, 19, and 21!

Issues 1-3 (Sep. 2010 - Nov. 2010): When this 5-issue series began, we were led to believe that MK would be a major part of the series, written by Andy Diggle. He is only in one panel in the 1st issue, not a promising start. After being more visible in issues 2 and 3, he disappears so that his only involvement in Shadowland is in his own separate Shadowland: Moon Knight miniseries. Oddly, though, events that transpired in it actually make you feel like he will return to the parent title in an even more prominent role. So when he doesn't even show up, it is an absolute letdown.

Issue 2 (Sep. 2010): I wouldn't even know it was MK; he's simply shown from the back (if it is even really him!) on a monitor as Finesse watches videos of Avengers in the past, with a focus on Quicksilver. Written by Christos N. Gage.

Issue 1 (Oct. 2010): Written by Jonathan Maberry. You know how I always say he is a "face in a crowd"? Well, here he's a head on a stick, among numerous other heads posted to reveal the Punisher's kills (in a spread which is used for the cover art of either a variant or a reprint of this issue).

Issues 1-3 (Oct. - Dec. 2010): MK's three-parter is written by Greg Hurwitz, almost as if it is a continuation of the Vengeance of series. If anything, it serves to give Hurwitz three more issues to his cancelled series. He works in Shadowland story elements, but it is clearly another Marc-vs.-Randall story, with an unusual Khonshu that seems to be both the real god and the imaginary conscience at the same time(?).

Issue 1 (Nov. 2010): Steve Rogers' files on the heroes of the Marvel Universe.

Issues 27-29 (Nov. 2010 - Jan. 2011): Written by Daniel Way, this three-parter features Steve Rogers, Black Widow, and MK of the Secret Avengers, although technically MK is really only in #28 & 29 (to elaborate more would give something away).

Issue 511 (Dec. 2010): Written by Andy Diggle, this is a "Shadowland" installment, but I could only find MK on the cover.

Issue 614 (Dec. 2010): Written by Greg Pak. In this Secret Avengers crossover, MK is mistakenly shown on the cover, but it is actually Nova(!) who is in the issue fighting with the team.

Issue 1 (Dec. 2010): Written by Fred Van Lente. MK is nothing more than background filler here.

Issue 4 (Feb. 2011): MK and the rest of the Secret Avengers guest star in the finale of this four-issue series, written by Fred Van Lente. Despite how it looks on the cover, there is no encounter between Taskmaster and the Secret Avengers, and their involvement in this issue is minimal and really could have been filled by any group in its place. Interesting for fans of Taskmaster, who has been humanized for me with this story.

Issue 4 (Feb. 2011): Jonathan Maberry includes one panel of the Secret Avengers.

Issue 1 (Feb. 2011): One-panel appearance only. Not essential, especially considering how he dropped out of the "Shadowland" event. Written by Antony Johnston.

Issue 1 (Feb. 2011): MK is not part of the main feature, written by Rob Williams, but appears in one panel of the additional story: part 2 of Rick Remender's 4-part "What if Venom Possessed Deadpool?" (which is later combined into one comic book, see Apr. 2012 below). It is not really Moon Knight, however, but "Mummy" Moon Knight. Don't ask. Meant to be comedic.

Issues 1-5, 12 (Feb. - Jun., Nov. 2011): Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, MK is part of the roster for this series' team, but his involvement in it is far less frequent than in the Secret Avengers series. In #2, for example, he is only shown in the front recap of the previous mission/issue. But in #3 . . . well, let me just say one thing: MK vs. a velociraptor! In #4, MK is mentioned for the front recap, but elsewhere in the issue it's not really him. So when all's said and done, he's really only played a part in issues 1, 3, 5, & 12.

Issues 9-12, 12.1, 18, Annual 1, 28, 34 (Mar. - Jun., Dec. 2011, Mar., Sep. 2012, Jan. 2013): Written by Brian Michael Bendis. In issues 9-12, Bendis simply sticks him in the background. Not so for #12.1, however, where he finally has MK do something, in an issue where he is handpicked to be part of a team made up of members from among all the Avengers teams to provide his expertise. In #18, we see Steve Rogers gathering the various Avengers teams to decide on a new roster for the Avengers, and MK is visible in a few panels. MK appears very briefly in the Annual issue, but not in any of the action. He seemed very out of place in this story, which focused on the "super" powers in Marvel's fold. And as for the other two issues, MK is simply a face in the crowd, in one panel in #28 and in two panels in #34. (MK fans need only bother with issue 12.1.)

Issue 1 (Apr. 2011): Written by Rick Remender, this collects the installments from the back sections of the previous What If? titles (see What If? Wolverine: Father, above).

Issue 1-4 (Apr. 2011 - Jul. 2011): Written by Sean McKeever and featuring the Secret Avengers and the Young Allies. Attempts a little bonding moment between MK and Gravity, who seeks advice from the veteran mercenary.

Issue 3 (Jun. 2011): Written by Jim McCann, MK only provides background filler here.

Issues 4, 5 (Jun. - Jul. 2011): Written by Jonathan Maberry, this miniseries spans many of the pivotal points in Cap's life. In #4, MK is in three frames fighting alongside his fellow Avengers. Issue 5 can be considered a crossover with current Avengers/Secret Avengers titles. As in The Avengers 12.1, the teams intermingle, this time into three assault teams, and MK is grouped with Spidey, Falcon, Tigra, Valkyrie, Iron Fist, and Ant-Man. Somewhat interesting series on the whole, but MK is not a major player in it.