Moon Knight is finally part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but just which characters does his show need?
After years of hoping and waiting, Moon Knight is finally going to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For a while, it seemed like it would never happen – especially since Marc Spector (Moon Knight) is completely different from the heroes we’ve seen in the MCU.
He’s violent in a way that only the Punisher is – a perfect example of this being when he was branding repeat offenders of violent crimes, carving a crescent moon on the criminals’ foreheads every time he caught them. Some of them never got the hint. There was another time where he cut his nemesis’ face off and held it high to appease his god. So it’ll be interesting to see if and how they use him in the show.
Furthermore, Moon Knight has something that is important for any TV series: An incredible supporting cast. People and beings that add drama, action, and humor to his stories. Some of them are completely off-the-wall and others give Spector a kick in the butt when he needs it.
Coming up we have characters that are important to Spector’s life as a civilian and as Moon Knight – characters that this series likely wouldn’t last more than one season without.
4. Marlene Alraune
One recycled narrative trope that has been really wearing thin is the “damsel in distress”. The idea of a woman constantly having to be saved is outdated, and thankfully, comic book movies have figured out a way to move away from this.
Marlene Alraune is a woman who doesn’t need saving. In fact, she was a mercenary alongside Marc Spector. She’s fought and killed right by Spector’s side. She’s also someone who’s looked Marc right in the face, slapped him, and called him a selfish jerk when he refused to try after things got hard. Spector needs someone like that in his life. Even though he’s had hardships, Marc Spector has a tendency to quit when things get rough.
Marlene may not fight alongside Spector when he’s Moon Knight, but she’s still a valuable asset when he’s in his vestments (yes, that’s what he calls his uniform). She motivates him when he needs it and, more importantly, helps with recon. She can slip into places unnoticed because she’s an attractive woman. This also leaves people vulnerable. Just because she’s good-looking doesn’t mean she won’t put keys in between her fingers and use them as claws (as you can see from the image above).
Marlene is sometimes Marc’s love interest. That is, until he does something to mess it up. Like when she saw him wearing the face of one of his dead enemies. That is definitely a deal breaker.
3. Jean-Paul DuChamp
Marlene and Jean-Paul “Frenchie” DuChamp have a lot in common. First of all, they were both mercenaries and they killed their enemies as easily as they ate lunch. They also both love Marc Spector in a romantic way.
When Frenchie came out to Marc, Marc was hurt. He said he never knew and he didn’t tell him. Frenchie said, “I told you with my trust. With my life.” It didn’t matter. Marc was hurt. Later, he met Frenchie’s partner in the hospital and shook his hand. A sign of respect for who he was. Frenchie and Marc made up after Marc got his head out of his butt and Frenchie got out of the hospital.
Frenchie became Moon Knight’s pilot. He was in the thick of things – so much so that he lost his legs working with Spector. For a while, Frenchie wouldn’t speak to Marc because he kept putting his partner in danger. Nevertheless, when Moon Knight really needed Jean-Paul, he was there – flying Moon Knight’s helicopter as a means for a hasty escape if needed.
The good thing with Frenchie is that he doesn’t need to be introduced immediately. Marc could try and recruit Jean-Paul later in the season. He’s eventually going to realize he needs a pilot. Also, since he was there during Marc’s mercenary days, we can get some flashbacks of how they became close and why Frenchie never gives up on him.
2. Raul Bushman
Every hero needs a nemesis. Someone who brings out the best or worst in them. Wolverine and Sabretooth, Xavier and Magneto, or Batman and Bane. In this case, Moon Knight has Raul Bushman.
At first, they were brothers in arms. It wasn’t until Raul tried to harm Marc and Marlene that things went south. The funny thing is Raul’s attack leads to Marc becoming Khonshu’s avatar. Instead of killing Marc, he created Moon Knight.
The two fought multiple times, and it eventually seemed like it would come to an end after Marc carved Raul’s face off and killed him. Unfortunately, no one ever stays dead.
Raul Bushman isn’t known by that many people, and this works in the creators’ favor, as they can play around with his character, and turn him into something that works with the show – just like it worked for Cottonmouth and Bushmaster in Luke Cage.
He should be portrayed as the biggest physical threat to Moon Knight; someone who is just as ruthless and cruel as him. Their fights could be the stuff of legend, and if it’s anything like we saw in Charlie Huston’s The Bottom, then this could be bloody.
He won’t be the only antagonist that Moon Knight and Marc Spector face but this next fight won’t be physical…
1. Khonshu
Khonshu is the god that gives Moon Knight his abilities. That is, as long as Marc obeys him. However, sometimes, Marc will decide that he’s not a killer anymore and, for that, Khonshu will punish him.
In the past, Khonshu has abandoned Marc for another avatar, killed him, and gone so far as to make fun of Marc as he’s getting pummelled. Now, it’s bad enough getting your head kicked in, but imagine if you had to listen to your god going, “Oh no he di’in” as you’re getting punched. In short, either do what you’re told or pay the price!
On the other hand, Moon Knight sometimes has a great relationship with him and Khonshu rewards him with knowledge on how to defeat supernatural beings. He’s even made Marc buy Egyptian artifacts without him knowing – artifacts he later needed.
Khonshu is a must have- maybe more so than anyone else on this list. He’s part of the internal struggle that Marc deals with. It seems like every time Marc starts to figure out that type of hero he wants to be, Khonshu sweeps in and wants something different.
There have been more than a few versions of Khonshu in the comics and literally any of them could work. More than likely, Khonshu will be the silly god that shows up and says outlandish things at inopportune times. This will add some levity to a show that will more than likely be incredibly dark and grim.
Are you excited that we’re getting a Moon Knight TV series? Who are you most looking forward to seeing? Let us know in the comments below.