Moon Knight is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his own Disney+ series and here is everything from Marvel Comics you need to know.
Marc Spector, AKA Moon Knight, is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in his own self titled Disney+ series. For those who do not know much about his character, here is what you need to know about Marvel Comics before he enters the MCU, and a few suggested comic books to read.
Marc Spector was once a mercenary who was left for dead in the desert. It is here that he was revived by the Moon god Khonshu and appointed as his fist and high priest. Moon Knight enacts justice to protect those who travel at night.
Where it really gets interesting is that Marc Spector suffers from dissociative identity disorder, which has paved the way for his use of other identities, including millionaire Steven Grant and cab driver Jake Lockley.
What Are Moon Knight’s Powers?
Marc Spector trained as a U.S. Marine, boxer, and mercenary, which makes him an expert in hand to hand combat and ground level fighting. Moon Knight’s fighting style combines elements of various combat techniques and relies heavily on adaptability. Moon Knight is also an Olympic-level athlete, skilled acrobat, and helicopter pilot.
He also has a VERY high tolerance for pain. Because of this Marc is brutal and does not mind taking a punch here or there. In fact, Taskmaster has stated that he does not copy Moon Knight’s skills in a fight, because he would rather take a punch than block or dodge it.
Moon Knight is not official immortal, however there have been several times that he has died and come back to life thanks to Khonoshu.
How Moon Knight Will Fit Into The MCU
Moon Knight is a ground level vigilante much like Daredevil and Spider-Man, for the most part. Although he has had times where he goes to far and really hurts criminals, even kills them. He has clashed or crossed paths with many characters that are in the MCU already.
It can be assumed that the Moon Knight series will take place on the streets of New York City, similar to the Hawkeye series. There is potential for a lot of team ups and cameos, including Norman Osborn, Kingpin, and She-Hulk.
Moon Knight comes to Disney+ in 2022 and stars Oscar Isaac.
Moon Knight Comic Book Suggestions
If you want to get to know more about Moon Knight before he comes to the small screen on Disney+, here are a few comic book suggestions.
Moon Knight Epic Collection: Shadows of the Moon
Ghosts, werewolves and things that go crazy in the night! Marvel’s multiple-personality midnight marauder takes the fight to the strangest rogues’ gallery in all of comics — from Arsenal, the one-man army, to the nun with a crossbow known as Stained Glass Scarlet. The Jester is no joke, for either Moon Knight or Daredevil. Then there’s Morpheus, who’s guaranteed to give you sleepless nights.
But the old foes are the worst: enemies like Midnight Man and Bushman, who have returned to plague Marc Spector. Or is he Steven Grant? Jake Lockley? As always with Moon Knight, the voices inside his head can be as destructive as the lunatics trying to kill him! Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz hit full stride in a super-hero comic like no other!
Collecting: Moon Knight (1980) #5-23.
Purchase here.
Moon Knight Epic Collection: Bad Moon Rising
Discover the many faces of the Moon Knight! Mercenary. Werewolf-hunter. Super hero. Millionaire playboy. Cab driver. Ghost? Moon Knight is many things to many people, with the multiple personalities to match! Follow the Fist of Khonshu as he battles to find his place in the Marvel Universe in this collection of his earliest appearances. From his startling debut as a nemesis of Werewolf by Night to an unlikely stint with the Defenders, from encounters with Spider-Man and the Thing to the solo adventures that shaped a legend. Relive the rise of the moon’s specter of vengeance!
COLLECTING: Werewolf By Night (1972) 32-33; Marvel Spotlight (1971) 28-29; Defenders (1972) 47-50; Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) 22-23; Marvel Two-in-One (1974) 52; Moon Knight (1980) 1-4; material from Hulk Magazine (1978) 11-15, 17-18, 20; Marvel Preview (1975) 21
Purchase here.
Moon Knight Vol. 1: Lunatic
Marc Spector (a.k.a. Moon Knight/Jake Lockley/Steven Grant) has been fighting criminals and keeping New York City safe for years… or has he? When he wakes up in an insane asylum with no powers and a lifetime’s worth of medical records, his whole identity (indentities) are called into question. Something is wrong, but is that something Marc Spector himself? Jeff Lemire (EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN) and rising star Greg Smallwood are calling everything you know about Moon Knight into question.
COLLECTING: MOON KNIGHT 1-5
Purchase here.
Moon Knight Omnibus Vol. 1
Discover the many faces of the Moon Knight! Mercenary. Werewolf hunter. Millionaire playboy. Cab driver. Super hero? Moon Knight is many things to many people, and he has the multiple personalities to match! Follow Marc Spector, the earthly Fist of Khonshu, as he battles to find his place in the Marvel Universe — and builds the strangest rogues’ gallery in all of comics. Prepare yourself for the deadly Bushmaster! Arsenal, the one-man army! Stained Glass Scarlet, the nun with a crossbow! And more!
Featuring iconic stories by Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz!
COLLECTING: Werewolf by Night (1972) 32-33; Marvel Spotlight (1971) 28-29; Defenders (11972) 47-50; Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) 22-23; Marvel Two-in-One (1974) 52; Moon Knight (1980) 1-20; Marvel Team-Up Annual (1976) 4; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 220; material from Defenders (1972) 51; Hulk Magazine (1978) 11-15, 17-18, 20; Marvel Preview (1975) 21
Purchase here.
Moon Knight By Bendis & Maleev: The Complete Collection
Captain America. Wolverine. Spider-Man. There’s nobody you’d want to have your back more than this trio of mighty Avengers. So who better for Moon Knight to call upon to lend a hand? The trouble is, they’re all in Moon Knight’s head — the latest splinters of Marc Spector’s shattered psyche! And as Spector battles his own mind to find balance in his new home of Los Angeles, a powerful criminal mastermind makes his deadly move — trafficking Ultron’s temporarily inert robot body!
Can Moon Knight get his act together in time to take on this deadly threat — or is he way out of his league? Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, who wowed readers with DAREDEVIL, reunite to deliver a unique take on another fan-favorite Marvel vigilante!
COLLECTING: Moon Knight (2011) 1-12
Purchase here.
Moon Knight: Legacy Vol. 1: Crazy Runs in the Family
A new day is dawning – and with it comes an enemy unlike any that Marc Spector/Moon Knight, has ever faced! Moon Knight has always been a protector from the shadows, but this new enemy is looking to extinguish those shadows with blinding light and fire. Get ready for the introduction of Moon Knight’s greatest nemesis!
But as the path of the Sun King brings him ever closer to Moon Knight, Marc has problems of his own – a man known as the Truth is driving people to suicide! Thank goodness Marc’s got his personalities under control. He does have them under control, right…?
COLLECTING: MOON KNIGHT 188-193
Purchase here.
Related: 5 (MORE) Comics You Should Read To Get To Know Moon Knight
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.