Moon Knight

• Title: Moon Knight #12 (of 12)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Alex Maleev

When comic nerds talk about B-list and C-list heroes it’s characters like Moon Knight we’re often referring. Sure, sometimes they make a splash and end up on one of the big teams (although usually it’s the modest Secret or West-Coast version), but more often than not they find themselves without a book of their one, floating near the fringe of the bigger comic universe.

With this twelve-issue run, which ends all too soon, Brian Michael Bendis not only gave us fun stories month after month, he reminded us Moon Knight is a pretty good hero. Whacked out of his mind, sure, but also a pretty good hero.

The final issue of the series deals with Moon Knight’s final confrontation with Count Nefaria (who still can’t believe he was taken down by Moon Knight), an appearance by the Avengers (the real ones, not just those in the hero’s head), and a rather casual conversation with Tony Stark about the impending Robot Holocaust. In other words, classic Bendis’ Moon Knight. Worth a look – in fact pick up the whole series in trade paperback. You’ll be glad you did.

[Marvel, $3.99]

• Title: Moon Knight #11
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Alex Maleev

Still reeling from the death of Echo, Moon Knight contacts Maria Hill for helping tracking down Madame Masque who has stolen the head of Ultron for her father Count Nefaria. Despite her concerns, Hill agrees to help locate Masque and allow Moon Knight to take her down.

The majority of the comic features the battle between Moon Knight and Madame Masque who appear to be equally matched. And it appears that Echo may not be gone completely as she emerges as another aspect of Marc Spector’s increasingly crowded personality.

I’m going to be sad to see this series go away. Writer Brian Michael Bendis turns in another strong issue that still finds a way to incorporate the comic’s trademark quirky nature even with the dark turn the title has undertaken the past couple of months.

This issue gets most of the storylines wrapped up with what’s sure to be a can’t miss final issue next month as Moon Knight goes out Nefaria one more time. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

• Title: Moon Knight #10
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Alex Maleev

With only a couple issues left before the cancellation of the series (Moon Knight #12 will be final issue) writer Brian Michael Bendis doesn’t hold back in giving us the death of a supporting character (and perhaps the death of any happiness Marc Spector might find out of his costume) and Moon Knight locked up in a hospital ward trying to make sense of the fallout with his battle with Count Nefaria.

Although Echo might be gone, a decision I’m decidedly against, Bendis does introduce a new character into the equation as Nefaria’s daughter Madame Masque is brought in to retrieve the Ultron head.

Given recent events, the humor regularly associated with this comic is placed on hold. Instead we get a couple of graphic panels including Madame Masque blowing people away and Echo’s dead body on a coroner’s slab during her autopsy.

This isn’t the best issue of the series by any means, but it’s definitely still worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

• Title: Moon Knight #9
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Alex Maleev

The latest issue of Moon Knight gives us a rematch between Count Nefaria and out hero as Moon Knight tries his best to survive against a super-villain far outside his weight class. Inter-cut throughout the battle are sequences between Moon Knight and Buck showcasing Moon Knight asking for the various weapons he’ll use to try and survive the fight with Nefaria.

Once again Brian Michael Bendis gives us an issue full of great moments, including Buck’s realization why his boss is asking him for the weapons of Captain America, Spider-Man, and Wolverine. In true crazy hero fashion our hero starts hearing that personality as he uses the shield, web-shooters, or claws which means his tactics against the villain vary wildly from pulling him in front of a car to trying to cut his head off.

Aside for one panel with Echo where things get real very quickly (and which better be a tease!), I thoroughly enjoyed myself from cover to cover. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]