Moon Knight’s New Contract with Khonshu Proves That He Isn’t a Marvel Hero

Moon Knight is such a radically non-traditional hero that some fans question whether he could even be considered a hero at all. While most consider his dissociative identity disorder to be the primary element that makes Moon Knight different, it’s not; it’s his dedicated service to an ancient god, Khonshu, who has demanded a price from his champion, and now it’s time to pay.

Vengeance of the Moon Knight #9– written by Jed MacKay, with art by Devmalya Pramanik – dives into the consequences of Moon Knight’s latest return from death, and the price he owes to Khonshu.

Yet ever so manipulative as Khonshu is, the Egyptian God’s price for Marc Spector’s life is the life of another: Max Coleridge. Knowing that he agreed to indiscriminately take a life to save his friends, Moon Knight fully intends to submit to his heavenly father’s whims. It’s exactly this level of blind devotion to Khonshu that questions if Moon Knight can ever be a true hero.

Moon Knight Is No Marvel Superhero; He’s Nothing More Than Khonshu’s Puppet

Vengeance of the Moon Knight #9 – Written by Jed MacKay; Art by Devmalya Pramanik; Color by Rachelle Rosenberg; Lettering By Corey Petit

When Marc Spector first swore his fealty to Khonshu, bleeding out on the feet of a statue in the god’s image, he became only one of a long line of dedicated avatars that each share the title of the Moon Knight. While he may be Khonshu’s best, Marc certainly isn’t Khonshu’s first. Near 1,000,000 BCE, the “Stone Age Avengers” formed, a prehistoric team consisting of the Phoenix, Odin, Agamotto, the first Black Panther, the first Iron Fist, a Ghost Rider, and a Starbrand. Jealous that he had no place on the team, Khonshu created the first Moon Knight.

Soon a cult developed around the Moon God, producing a long line of Moon Knights that would serve as Khonshu’s earthly avatars. Khonshu, being the envious and selfish deity that he is, used the Moon Knights solely to increase his influence and rebel against his Elder God father, Amon Ra. Khonshu and Ra have spent eons pitting their avatars, the Moon Knights and the Sun Kings, against each other, including manipulating Marc Spector being Khonshu’s most devoted servent, designed to enact the God of Vengeance’s fleeting whims. Unfortunately for Marc, and every other Moon Knight, their will is Khonshu’s.

Khonshu Calls For the Death Of The “False Moon Knight”, Pitting Marc Spector Against His Replacement

Vengeance Of The Moon Knight #9 – Available September 11 From Marvel Comics

In the present, Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Jake Lockley have proven themselves to be Khonshu’s most loyal and most manipulatable avatars, willing to follow their “father’s” every order. Despite his drive to follow his gut and do what he believes to be right, Marc has already earned an unsteady reputation as an unpredictably violent zealot. As far back as the Avengers Civil War, Moon Knight was considered an enemy to both factions, ranking even higher on the “most wanted” list than the Punisher.

Now, after Marc’s resurrection and Khonshu’s release from Asgard, it has come time for Moon Knight to pay what is owed: a life. Specifically, the life of Max Coleridge, a mentally unstable anti-hero who was empowered with Darkforce energy by a ritualistic death cult and who eventually took over as Moon Knight after Marc Spector’s passing. To Khonshu, Max wasn’t a dedicated follower, he was an impostor who appointed himself as Moon Knight in Khonshu’s absence; now, Khonshu wants the “False Moon Knight’s” death, and Marc Spector will deliver.

Moon Knight Can Never Be a Hero As Long As He Serves Khonshu

The Fists Of Khonshu Are Merely Tools For Their God’s Will

There’s the tough thing about calling Moon Knight a hero; he can’t be one. Marc and his alters may be every bit as heroic as one could be, but that doesn’t matter. Moon Knights aren’t heroes, they’re the Fists of Khonshu. If he says to protect, the Moon Knight protects. If he says to kill, the Moon Knight kills. Moon Knight can never be any more heroic than Khonshu will let him, and the God of Vengeance isn’t well known for being reasonable, let alone heroic.

Unfortunately for Marc Spector, so long as he is Moon Knight, a role he devoutly begs to keep, he will never be a hero. Marc Spector has been, is currently, and will always be a puppet for Khonshu’s will. To that point, he’s by nature unpredictable and untrustworthy. Behind his many masks, the beloved unpredictable “Protector of the Night’s Travelers” is not a hero, nor is he Marc Spector, or Steven Grant, or Jake Lockly, he is only Khonshu’s loyal Moon Knight.

Vengeance of the Moon Knight #9will be available September 11, 2024 from Marvel Comics.