Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics, Moon Knight
Here’s how to make Moon Knight work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Netflix has proven that the heroes who work close to the street work. Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage have all been successful shows with multiple seasons under their belts. Their popularity has solitified that there is room for gritty heroes. Among these heroes is a character that Marvel Comics fans have been waiting to see for a couple of years. The Lunar Legionnaire Moon Knight.
Moon Knight started as Marvel’s answer to Batman. He has the money, millions upon millions of dollars, and even a Moon-Copter. With that said, the similarities between Batman and Moon Knight stop there. Moon Knight teeters between being a merciless killer and someone who just beats the holy hell out of his victims.
Unlike characters like Iron Man, Thor, and Spider-Man, Marc Spector (Moon Knight) isn’t a well known character to people who don’t read comics. However, he was an Avenger once upon a time and operates out of New York (like every other hero). He could easily be a success like the other shows have. But there are a few things that have to happen to make Moon Knight appealing to more than just the comic book fans.
A different origin story
Every successful hero has an origin story. Kid gets bit by spider, baby is the daughter of a god, or parents get shot in an alleyway. Regardless, an origin story is a must. The story of Marc Spector isn’t like anyone else’s. Spector was a Marine and then went on to do mercenary work. During a mission, he was almost killed by his partner Raoul Bushman (not to be mistaken with Luke Cage’s Bushmaster). Before Spector could die, he ends up in a temple where his spirit encounters the god Khonshu who saves Spector, but only if he becomes his avatar. Spector accepts the offer and thus, Moon Knight is born.
The beginning of Spector being a marine and a mercenary is a great story. It explains why he’s such a skilled fighter and why he’s ok with killing and torture. The part involving Khonshu may seem a bit wacky to some people, but it’s also one of the reasons that people enjoy him. It’s also another necessary element to his character.
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
The many personalities of Marc Spector
One of the many things that Moon Knight received in his revamping was the multiple personalities. They used to be identities Marc Spector would use to get into certain areas. Steven Grant was his Bruce Wayne persona he used to get into high-class places like clubs and parties. Jake Lockley was a cab driver and the hard working man he used to get into sleezier places. There’s also Khonshu who takes up space in his mind as well. He may be the most important part of Spector’s mind.
Khonshu is the god of the moon. He’s also been called the god of vengeance and protector of those traveling at night. In a world full of aliens and gods, it’s not that far fetched that Khonshu is all of this. It’s also possible that Marc Spector is absolutely crazy and is talking to himself. Either way, Khonshu is visible to him and manifests in many ways. Sometimes he’s a god and is very serious about the tasks at hand. Other times he’s the disfigured version of his dead nemesis who makes all sorts of outlandish comments and taunts Spector about not killing or not being brutal enough. Khonshu is a must for Moon Knight to succeed and stay true to the source material
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
No capes
Capes may be a major part of Moon Knight’s history, but Edna said it best in The Incredibles. “NO CAPES!” The cape doesn’t work with the Marvel television shows. Even if Moon Knight was to appear on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. it’s too goofy for him to wear. It’s bad enough the jokes about him wearing white at night are going to be made during the show. Some people are reading this and scoffing because Moon Knight’s cape is actually functional. Yes, his capes do allow for him to glide a bit. Moon Knight also has a few gliders that he can use that are less distracting. Even though they are moon shaped.
There was a run of Moon Knight comic books where Moon Knight was called Mr. Knight and he wore an all-white suit and he went around the city in a limo that drove itself. This could be how Moon Knight gets around without the use of his flying machines. It’s also more practical in a world where the heroes are supposed to be a little more realistic than in the comics.
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
Frenchie and Marlene
Jessica Jones has Patsy Walker, Luke Cage has Misty Knight, and Danny Rand has Colleen Wing. Marc Spector has Frenchie and Marlene. They are two people in Marc Spector’s life that have to be on the show. Frenchie is his pilot and friend. Marlene is his on again off again girlfriend. If you assume that because of their titles that they were just side characters, you’d be wrong. Both of them are trained killers who have had a major influence on Spector’s life.
The MCU is trying to add more diversity to their shows and movies. The best way to do that is by adding characters that represent people without them being stereotyped. Frenchie is out and proud. He’s not a sassy cliche and. He’s a bad-ass. Marlene isn’t a damsel in distress (something we are all tired of seeing). She can more than take care of herself and once defended herself against multiple muggers while her boyfriend ran.
The two of them understand who Marc Spector is and believed in his cause for a while. Even if they don’t remain on the show the entire time, introducing them will help show who Marc Spector is as a person. A person who both cares and pushes people away.
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
Brutal fight scenes
If you think what you saw in the Punisher and Daredevil seasons were brutal, you haven’t seen anything yet. Moon Knight isn’t the best fighter in the Marvel Universe. He may not even be top twenty. What he does better than anyone else is absorbing punishment and dish it right back. Someone once said to Spector, “No one hits someone’s Fist with their face like you do.” Taskmaster also told him it was a fighting style he wished he could forget. It works for Moon Knight. It shows a lack of caring that heroes rarely have. It’s almost like he wants to be punished.
Maybe the best example of Moon Knight’s brutality are the crescent moon scars. Moon Knight was “apprehending” violent criminals and then carving a crescent moon on their forehead every time he caught them. Some criminals were smart enough to stop after the first offense. Others ended up with multiple. One guy had seven scars. Scarring violent criminals will absolutely get fans behind Spector and also get social media talking about him.