It’s an exciting time to be a Moon Knight fan, knowing a TV show is in the works and that Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio are delivering on each issue of the new Marvel Comics series. In the latest issue, Marc Spector contemplates wearing a mask, Tigra makes a guest appearance, and further examination of Marc’s reason for never taking off the mask comes into focus. It’s a contemplative issue featuring cool action.
The latest issue opens with Marc waking from his slumber only to take some time with his therapist first thing in the morning. She wants to know why he never takes off his mask. MacKay gives him some understandable dialogue given the circumstances since she’s in the field of superhuman menticide. It’s in this scene, and when he connects with Tigra around being ex-West Coast Avengers teammates, that readers can see Marc is a bit more tender in the series.
Things get out of hand quickly though when Moon Knight’s wealth is threatened and he’s ordered to take out some goons. Cappuccio is very good at capturing the awe in a scene, be it the shining lights enveloping a villain in a mysterious room, or Moon Knight diving down with the moon shining bright behind him. There’s also the incredible use of the cape, which can go from a sharp crescent moon to a flowing stream like a warm blanket. When in superhero mode, Moon Knight is like a glowing god that can’t be contained.
That’s partly thanks to colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, who casts him in a warm yellowish glow for most of his fight scenes and a slight blueish glow when in his suit. The play of light throughout the issue adds a magical element that’s unmistakable.
Nobody touch the mask!
Credit: Marvel
Outside of the interesting character work, MacKay is also exploring some interesting ideas about vigilantes who fight at night. In a short speech, Marc talks to Tigra about when a new day begins or ends. Moon Knight certainly kicks a lot of bad-guy butt in this issue, but there’s a frailty that’s unmistakable. There’s a human element that never seems lost, even when he’s glowing with his feet kicked up. My only complaint might be how so many touching things are said and interesting ideas are laid out in two quick pages.
Moon Knight #4 is the most vulnerable superhero story of the week. The character shows himself to those he trusts, and actively questions his choice to wear a mask to those he’d guarded against. Meanwhile, he’s also incredible at fighting and takes a stand on what he thinks of his wealth. All told, it’s an interesting look at a superhero who is as complex as they come.
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