Moon Knight, despite being a C-list character, has had many spectacular series over the years, but Jeff Lemire, Greg Smallwood, and Jordie Bellaire have crafted the penultimate chapter in what may be the best story the character has ever had.

Many have dealt with Marc Spector and his Dissociative Identity Disorder, but never has anyone delved so far deep into the reality and origins of it. His disorder has been treated as something of a plot device by others to make him seem unhinged, but Jeff Lemire is the first writer to take a realistic look at the mental health of this hero. As a long-time Moon Knight fan, it’s been extremely fulfilling to read. This issue highlights how the whole series has united the many aspects and tones the character has taken over the years.

This issue followed two story lines continuing from the last issue. The first had Mister Knight, now without any of his friends who’ve helped him so much on this journey, travel to finally confront and kill the moon god Khonshu. Throughout Moon Knight’s life, he’s made strong friends who have been slowly pushed away by his own unstable actions. It’s been fun to see the old supporting cast back in this series, especially Crawley and his unwavering loyalty to his friend. But now, all on his own, the stakes feel genuinely high for Moon Knight. Khonshu reveals what’s been so heavily implied for this whole series: everything is taking place in Marc’s own damaged mind. There’s never been a time when Moon Knight hasn’t struggled against Khonshu for control, but this feels truly final. It’s even possible that Marc doesn’t come out on top of this battle. It’s him or Khonshu, and the winner is the one who lives.

The second storyline, while a familiar flashback to Moon Knight’s origin, sets up some strong thematic parallels. We flashbacked to Marc’s last days as a mercenary and his final confrontation with his eventual nemesis Raul Bushman, which was the event that led to him becoming Moon Knight. There’s some parallels in how Marc confronts Bushman about his treatment of innocent lives that is very similar to how he confronts Khonshu. Khonshu’s thirst for blood and Marc’s reluctance to fulfill it has been well explored over the years, but it’s never been juxtaposed with the way he tried to stop Bushman from taking innocent lives.

Showing Marc’s first fight against his nemesis makes an interesting point about both Khonshu and Marc himself. It paints Khonshu as a mortal enemy of Marc, but also highlights Marc’s internal struggle. Khonshu has happily pointed out that Marc, as his earthly avatar, is essentially the physical manifestation of Khonshu himself. It raises the question- is Marc, with his continually collapsing, unstable mind, his own worst enemy? That is the “truth” Khonshu tries to convince Marc of. If Marc truly is as weak as he’s being told, then Khonshu could surely take over his mind permanently. We’ll see next month. And since this flashback storyline will continue into the next issue, we’ll presumably see the first encounter Marc had with Khonshu, when he died and resurrected in Egypt, in contrast the last one, when he goes to kill him.

The story Jeff Lemire crafts here in undeniably strong, but Greg Smallwood once again proves how perfect of a match he is for this book. His distinct, moody style makes the halls of Marc’s mind feel an eerie, alien place, as they surely feel for Marc himself. And his covers, which have simply been one masterpiece after another, shows one of the most frightening portraits of Raul Bushman yet put to page. Moon Knight is a character who artists have always had a strong influence over, and Greg Smallwood is easily ranked among Declan Shalvey and Bill Sienkiewicz as some of the best.

Rating: 9/10