A MOON KNIGHT SYLLABUS
The Moon Knight show trailer has surfaced, and folks are divided on the costume.
I, personally … uh, don’t really know how to feel. He kind of looks like a Mortal Kombat C-lister you finally use out of boredom one day—but also kind of neat? I refuse to believe the Marvel mothership and Oscar Isaac himself will let this fail, either way. But then again, I actually liked the latter as Apocalypse.
Yeah, that was me; I was the one who liked that.
Marvel, as usual, has ramped up a few series over the past couple years in the build-up to this. Yet, the character’s 47 years of comic book history prior to the most current efforts are both entertaining and exceed some of those new series. Below, I’ve formulated a list of three runs to check out that precede this century, with an emphasis on ones readily available in collected editions and organized by creative team.
The First Appearance: Werewolf by Night #32 (1975; Doug Moench and Don Perlin)
Moon Knight was initially created as a worthy adversary for the titular Werewolf by Night, as Moonie’s accessories are actually coated in silver and he’s got moons all over him. (You’re allowed to groan.) Collected in Essential Moon Knight Vol. 1, which also included his first solo series that gave him a real origin—and is notable for its Bill Sienkiewicz art.
The Multiple Personalities: Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu #1 (1985; Alan Zelenetz, Chris Warner, and E.R. Cruz)
The new series seems to be leaning on the multiple personality angle, which was really introduced in the second Moon Knight series. The series built on the original concept of the character, taking him further away from accusations that he’s basically Batman, with the primary difference being that he represents the Egyptian god of vengeance. Collected in Essential Moon Knight Vol. 3.
The ’90s Years: Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 (1989; Chuck Dixon and Sal Velluto)
Moon Knight would get his longest run to date with Marc Spector: Moon Knight, which kicked off with the narrative leadership of Dixon, who would then leave the book #24 with all of his plot threads unresolved. During these years, the character’s crossovers and team-ups with other books would be a highlight.
Visually, the most “mummified” and creepy version of Moon Knight would be enacted best by the great David Finch in the 2000s. During this century, four writers have also spun Moonie yarns worth checking out: Max Bemis, Warren Ellis, Jeff Lemire, and Brian Michael Bendis. I gave Bemis top billing only because his band, Say Anything, created an emo masterpiece in … is a Real Boy.
BATTLETOADS RETURN … IN TOY FORM
Every single thing you loved in the ’90s will have a moment this year.
The Battletoads debuted in 1991 as video game characters, a creation by developer Rare to rival the Ninja Turtles and their popular games. The company, also known for its beloved Donkey Kong Country and GoldenEye 007 games, opted to not go with the grandiose names given to the Turtles: The Toads were named Rash, Zitz, and Pimple, respectively. They were spun off into a cartoon special that was never picked up for a series, as well, which you can view in full here.
I bring them up because they’re getting a major toy release from Premium DNA, which can be pre-ordered through Big Bad Toy Store.
I find it remarkable just because of how much respect is being given to this franchise from the toymakers. The 6-inch-scale figures include very detailed and very articulated versions of Zitz (with two head sculptures and different accessories); Rash (with three heads and accessories); Porka Pig; Rat Bones; General Vermin (multiple head sculpts and accessories); and General Slaughter (multiple head sculpts and accessories). The entire set is $429.99 for the whole set and $44.99-$149.99 for individuals.
Sure, it seems high, but you can't underestimate 1990s nostalgia. After all, Bandai has sold 40 million Tamagotchis on this side of 2004.
SPEAKING OF THE ’90S
To this end this edition, I have found the most 1990s thing ever on eBay this week: an OJ Simpson metal slammer. THE SLAMMER, indeed: