Moon Knight has been a mainstay for decades within the Marvel Universe, but never could quite break into the A-list of the company’s titles, even when under the direction of strong creators. Yet, with the recent Disney+ show featuring the brooding vigilante, a new generation of fans is primed to read some of his most iconic stories. The Trial of Marc Spector Epic Collection offers an opportunity to revisit the character’s complex evolution, showcasing a grittier era of storytelling where Moon Knight’s mercenary past and fractured psyche are brought to the forefront with fan favorites like the Punisher and Ghost Rider thrown in for good measure.
This trade compiles Marc Spector: Moon Knight issues #8-25 and material from Punisher Annual #2, making it a pretty linear and coherent collection. Plot wise, it explores Moon Knight confronting threats from his mercenary past while battling a range of adversaries during the Acts of Vengeance crossover, including his entanglement with Flag-Smasher and Bushman, culminating in Marc Spector being put on trial for murder. With assistance from Spider-Man and the Punisher, Moon Knight also takes on the Secret Empire, an organization intent on eliminating him.
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I read a lot of comics in the late 1980s and early ’90s, but these issues were wholly new to me. While Moon Knight has always chased the Batman’s tail when it came to setting the tone for the book, these issues feel gritty even for the character, with a more action-driven approach to Moon Knight’s used throughout. Mike Baron and Chuck Dixon’s scripts do a fine job of delving into Marc Spector’s mercenary past, drawing parallels between his violent history and the chaos unfolding in the present. His internal struggle adds to the narrative weight of his external conflicts with villains, and the inclusion of Spider-Man and the Punisher adds a dynamic layer, bringing fresh energy to the narrative while enhancing the larger Marvel Universe connections.
The main drawback is the inconsistent art throughout these issues. If you enjoy the Marvel house style from the late ’80s, you can probably overlook some of the poorly drawn characters and sloppy panel blocking. Bill Reinhold, Sal Velluto, and Mark Bagley have all done great work, but except for a few engaging action scenes, you’re not likely to find their best pencils in this trade. It looks rushed, and the artists likely knew it but had to make their monthly deadlines.
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There are very few supplementals to speak of, with just three sketch pages tossed in at the end. That’s unfortunate, as this era of Moon Knight could use some editorial reflection, giving the reader insight into where Marvel was trying to take the character during this era.
While the poor art at points makes this hard to recommend enthusiastically, the plotting and storyline in The Trial of Marc Spector presents plenty of gratification for even casual Moon Knight aficionados to enjoy.
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