The only annual Moon Knight's had in the 3+ years MacKay's been writing the character, this one involves the Werewolf by Night, Jack Russell, trying to kill Khonshu. There's a prophecy that says it can be done, but only at a certain time, and in specific circumstances. Circumstances which apparently shouldn't exist, but do. Namely, that one of Khonshu's fists has a kid of their own.
Yeah, according to Hunter's Moon, Khonshu's fists can't have kids. I don't think is so much an edict Khonshu hands down as they are physically incapable of doing so. Maybe the idea is when Khonshu brings them back to life as his priest, he renders them sterile? Not sure, but either way, it didn't take with Marc, and Russell's kidnapped his and Marlene's daughter.
This story also marks the only time so far that either Marlene or Frenchie has appeared in MacKay's run. He writes Marlene as focused and distant. The only reason she's there is for their daughter, which she makes clear to Marc by telling him either come back with the girl or don't come back alive. She's learned her lesson about life close to Moon Knight, and isn't allowing herself the luxury of even considering trying again.
MacKay writes Russell as grimly determined to do something he doesn't like, because he's convinced it'll save lives. MacKay places werewolves as "berserkers" in Khonshu's forces, given that they gain their power under a full moon. If Russell can kill Khonshu, he thinks that will break the curse and there won't be anymore werewolves. My main issue with this is, I feel werewolves in the Marvel Universe are often portrayed as not discerning about who they attack, assuming they even retain any control of their actions. So doesn't that make them creatures who prey on those traveling at night? MacKay tries to square that with the notion that Khonshu's fists like Moon Knight or Hunter's Moon are the ones who keep the wolves in line and under control. I've not see much evidence of that, either.
We only get about two pages of Moon Knight vs. Werewolf. Most of the comic is focused on either Marlene's perspective on Moon Knight, or the conflict in Hunter's Moon between loyalty to Khonshu and protecting an innocent life. Sabbatini draws Khonshu as this shadow on the wall that whispers in the ear of Hunter's Moon. Nobody dies, but it's not what I'd call a happy ending for anyone, except maybe the kid, since she gets ice cream at the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment