Moon Knight is officially dead as of Moon Knight #30, but his mission lives on, as we see in Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1, out this week. Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio continue their epic run on a series that many didn’t see lasting all that long, but we are lucky it has. In an era when Marvel Comics series usually don’t last past five issues, MacKay and Cappuccio have proven fresh ideas and good character writing go a long way in delivering satisfying storytelling. That continues in this new series.
If you’re worried about coming in cold with Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1, don’t be. This issue is very new-reader friendly, laying out the main characters and establishing where they are post-Moon Knight’s death. The main operations of the Midnight Mission are still being run, but now, with Moon Knight gone, it’s being held together with his large supporting cast. Cleverly, MacKay establishes all the characters to show they are in this together, only to reveal a new threat they must face together. It’s a needle-drop moment in a cliffhanger that’s at once exciting and a clever mystery.
This issue also acts as a funeral for Moon Knight, with Thing coming in to help with the services. Intercut with the funeral and then being caught up with introductions of each character is a scene between Reese and Doctor Sterman. This allows for a good pace as the story ebbs and flows. A little action here, back to Reese explaining things, a reveal there, back to Reese explaining things. It’s a good way to keep the story entertaining.
The heroes rise up as Moon Knight has fallen.
Credit: Marvel
As Reese catches up Doctor Sterman–and effectively the reader–on all the key players like Tigra and Hunter’s Moon, there’s a bit of action thrown in. This scene reveals two demons that are well-designed and pretty darn creepy. It shows the kind of enemy the Midnight Mission is up against. There are also some big-time superheroes in this issue, which helps remind us of Moon Knight’s respect in the universe and that his death matters.
Cappuccio’s art continues to dazzle, especially with lighting effects by color artist Rachelle Rosenberg. Hunter’s Moon supplies the epic otherworldly aspect lacking with Moon Knight off the board. The entire book has a moody and edgy look thanks to the heavy use of shadow. This book lives in the shadows, and rightly so, as Reese is a vampire.
A hero has fallen, and yet Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1 reveals its creators are inverting everything we thought we knew about Moon Knight. After thirty strong issues, MacKay and Cappuccio developed a strong supporting cast, and now they faced an enemy they couldn’t have anticipated. Dripping with atmosphere, Vengeance of the Moon Knight feels like a rare gem.
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