The sun is setting… and the Moon Knight rises. After the tragic death of Marc Spector, the introduction of Hunter’s Moon, and the surprise appearance of Shroud, Marvel is finally shedding light on the secret history of Khonshu’s Fist in Phases of the Moon Knight.

Over the years the lore of Moon Knight, and the history of the moon god Khonshu’s influence on the Marvel Universe, have deepened, mainly focused on the adventures of mercenary-turned-superhero Marc Spector.

Phases of the Moon Knight is an upcoming Marvel four-issue anthology series diving into diverse Moon Knight tales, with the first issue featuring stories from incredible comic talent like Benjamin Percy, Erica Schultz, Manuel Garcia, and Rod Reis, and a gorgeous cover by Mateus Manhanini.

The upcoming comic book series will deliver all-new stories from an assembly of acclaimed talent starring the Khonshu avatars you know AND share the sagas of Moon Knights you’ve never met!

Though he is among the most recent, Marc Spector is far from the first Fist of Khonshu! As fans have witnessed in the pages of Jed MacKay’s hit run, Marc and Hunter’s Moon are only the latest in a long line of diverse and fascinating Khonshu champions. The spectres of their predecessors have been called upon to aid in their most desperate battles, and now it’s time to learn their stories!

The Fist Of Khonshu Is A Legacy Not A Title

There have been Fists since before humanity existed

When Marc Spector was first introduced as Moon Knight stories implied that the violent man was simply insane, but slowly Marvel revealed that Khonshu was a real deity, from the Othervoid dimension. Spector, who famously does have dissociative identity disorder, became the Left Fist of Khonshu, dedicated to fighting for innocent life to make up for those he killed as a mercenary. Jason Aaron’s run of Avengers revealed major Moon Knight lore, describing how in 1,000,000 BC Khonshu was offended that the ancient Stone Age Avengers did not attempt to invite Khonshu into their league, prompting the god to create his first Fist.

The most recent run of Moon Knight introduced Hunter’s Moon into Moon Knight lore, revealing that Doctor Yehya Badr was Khonshu’s “Right Fist,” and that Badr and Spector were only the latest in a millenia-long line of Khonshu avatars. In a fascinating twist, both Spector and Badr began to be briefly possessed by past Fists in times of great need, with previous avatars lending their strength and ferocity to the current Fists. The first issue of Phases of the Moon Knight will feature a “crusader Moon Knight” – presumably from the 11th or 12th century – who has survived his own “holy war,” only to find himself in Ancient Egypt. There, this crusader clad in white will be forced to reckon with the mighty force of En Sabah Nur, the ancient mutant known as Apocalypse.

Shroud’s Evolution Into “Moon Knight” Will Finally Be Revealed

The imposter has attempted to take over Marc Spector’s Midnight Mission

Marc Spector’s death was sudden and tragic, shaking Tigra to her core and leaving a massive hole missing in the Midnight Mission, the organization Moon Knight created to protect his neighborhood. Yet, out of nowhere, a new Moon Knight appeared in Vengeance of the Moon Knight. Supremely violent, and clearly not Marc, this Moon Knight imposter was revealed to be the villainous Shroud. Phases of the Moon Knight will finally unveil the truth of Shroud’s deception, revealing how he began his dark mission as a twisted representation of Moon Knight.

The history of Moon Knight is murky and complex, slowly revealed over the past few decades as a deeper understanding of Khonshu and his dangerous motivations are uncovered. This new limited series will finally explore the past Fist’s of Khonshu, and potentially even begin to pave a path forward for Marc Spector to be resurrected and resume his place as a fighter for the innocent.

Phases of the Moon Knight #1 from Marvel Comics debuts on August 28th, 2024.

Source: Marvel Entertainment