The Fist of Khonshu’s latest volume has come to a close, and with it, a legendary run that will surely be remembered for years as one of the character’s best.

SPOILERS FOLLOW

For fourteen issues, Marc Spector has been a prisoner of his own mind, tormented by the moon god Khonshu in an attempt to finally possess Marc once and for all. We haven’t really been sure where he physically was or how much time has passed, and those questions aren’t answered. We don’t learn if Marc’s actions in this volume have had real impact on anyone but him. But that wasn’t what the story was about.

In recent times, there’s been more of a push to talk about mental illness and treat it with the same importance as physical illness. This whole volume has been a reflection of that. It’s been one continuous, character-focused story about Marc Spector dealing with his multiple personalities. This issue was the climax of all that. It didn’t end with an action scene, but with a simple declaration of self-control.

The issue also concluded the flashbacks that have been happening for the last five issues. Things get a little meta when Khonshu directly addresses the flashbacks. We’re treated to some serious parallelism both subtle and overt. Khonshu notes how the flashbacks, which appear side-by-side with the present, blend and change, much like Marc’s own multiple personalities. Then we see Marc Spector, mercenary, years ago as he dies under a statue of Khonshu in Egypt. Simultaneously, we see Marc Spector in the present undergo shock therapy. In the past, Khonshu asks Marc if he’s willing to be resurrected and become the Moon Knight. And in the present, Moon Knight awakes from the shock therapy.

It’s important to note that it’s not Marc Spector who awakes, but Moon Knight. A being equally comprised of three different personalities: Marc Spector, Jake Lockley, and Stephen Grant, each working together in defiance of Khonshu. In the past, Moon Knight awakes to enact the vengeance of the moon god. And in the present, Moon Knight awakes to enact his vengeance upon the moon god.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flashbacks serve to underline the satisfying conclusion of Moon Knight’s character arc in the issue. Before, he’s been confused by his illness, letting it control him. Now, he is in control of it, accepting it as a part of him that will never really heal. Together, each aspect of Moon Knight confronts Khonshu. They work together in denying Khonshu any more control over them and their mind.

The issue ends with Moon Knight not healed of his illness. He doesn’t stop being Moon Knight. In fact, he’s more Moon Knight than ever before. Because now he’s Moon Knight for himself. No longer a slave to the bloodthirsty, petty, and political Khonshu, Moon Knight is at peace.

Artist Greg Smallwood and colorist Jordie Bellaire have been nothing less than definitive. Greg’s covers are individually haunting and each tells their own story. His art in the book, accompanied by Bellaire’s much-renowned color work, was otherworldly and is some of the most atmospheric art I’ve ever seen. You could feel it in this issue, as the art was inseparable from the direction of the story. The layouts in this issue are what really sold the parallelism. The layouts in this book are powerful; they drive the story in a way only such a well-constructed comic can do.

Jeff Lemire’s run on this book has been groundbreaking. A complex and often confusing character piece, it featured no crossovers with any other corner of the Marvel universe. It focused solely on Moon Knight and his supporting cast. It’s the perfect blend of the best previous runs, such as the original 1980 series and the recently popular 2014 series. It’s called back to every good part of the characters and mythos and helped heal some of the wounds done by lesser writers. It is one of those runs that could be an end to a character. If this was the last of Moon Knight, it would be the most satisfying end possible.

Rating: 10/10

–Weston Sheffield

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