Moon Knight explained: What’s the difference between Mr. Knight and Moon Knight?

Moon Knight episode 2 introduces viewers to Mr. Knight, but what exactly is the difference between Mr. Knight and Moon Knight? 

Moon Knight‘s second episode helped to answer one of the burning questions on the minds of fans with the introduction of Mr. Knight, whose role in the series was first teased ahead of the premiere via promotional materials.

Warning: Moon Knight spoilers ahead.

While the season premiere of Moon Knight technically introduced us to Moon Knight, it’s not until the second episode of the series that we fully come to know the persona better. It’s also in this episode we’re introduced to his counterpart, Mr. Knight who makes his official debut in the most memorable of ways within the second episode of the series.

As the creative team finally begins to peel back the layers of Steven and Marc within the second episode of Moon Knight, fans get a crash course of sorts into the personalities who share Steven’s body including the suited heroes who emerge to help save the day.

Who is Moon Knight?

Like in the comics, Moon Knight is a superpowered vigilante who receives his abilities from Khonshu, the god of the moon who uses Marc as his avatar, i.e., a manifestation of a deity in bodily form on earth. In the comics, his abilities include superhuman strength and vulnerability, all of which Marc seems to possess in Moon Knight. (The character’s suit also gives him additional abilities, which have not yet been featured in the series.)

As Khonshu can’t cross into the humanly plane of existence, Marc serves as his avatar and is sworn to do Khonshu’s bidding which we’ve already seen coming into play within the series. Referred to in the series as the Fist of Vengence, Khonshu is viewed as the face of true justice only seeking to punish those who have done harm.

Who is Mr. Knight in Moon Knight?

We first meet Mr. Knight in the second episode of Moon Knight in quite a memorable introduction scene.

After being abducted by Harrow’s goons, Steven finds himself in a precarious predicament involving yet another ferocious jackal. When Steven refuses to let Marc take over, Marc instructs Steven to summon their Moon Knight suit in order to fight off the creature. Upon summoning the suit, however, Steven is transformed into Mr. Knight instead of Moon Knight.

Like Moon Knight, Mr. Knight possesses similar abilities including enhanced strength and vulnerability; however, it seems the persona we meet in the series might be slightly different than the one introduced in the comics.

In the comics, Mr. Knight is introduced as the identity that emerges when Marc visits his psychiatrist and when interacting with police during investigations. He also takes on the role of the interfacer for all of the personalities. However, in the show, he seems to emerge when Steven is in control of his body but channeling the Moon Knight persona.

What is the difference between the Moon Knight suits?

In the comics, Moon Knight and Mr. Knight are sort of like yin and yang. While both identities possess similar abilities, Mr. Knight is more mild-mannered and is typically the persona who consults with the police and tends to those in need of protection. Meanwhile, Moon Knight is more of a vigilante who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

This dynamic seems to have bled into the series as well with Mr. Knight emerging as Steven’s superhero alter-ego and Moon Knight emerging as Marc’s superhero alter-ego. Like Steven, Mr. Knight is mild-mannered and opposes violence while Marc’s Moon Knight is unapologetic when it comes to taking down bad guys using whatever means necessary.

One of the most notable differences between the two characters both in the comics and in the show is their appearance.

While Marc’s Moon Knight suit is an Egyptian-inspired suit featuring a white suit, cape and cowl, Steven’s Mr. Knight suit is a legitimate suit comprised of an all-white suit and a simple white mask featuring the outline of a crescent moon.

Moon Knight episode 2 is streaming now on Disney Plus?