Moon Knight Epic Collection Volume 3 is out this week, entitled “Final Rest”, and it concludes Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz’s run on the Fist of Khonshu.
The paperback includes issues #24-38 of Moon Knight’s first ongoing solo series, originally published between 1982 and 1984. In addition to Moench and Sienkiewcz, other writers/pencillers featured in this volume include Steven Grant, Alan Zelentz, Tony Isabella, Denny O’Neil, Steve Ringgenberg, Joe Brozowski, Kevin Nowlan, (takes deep breath), Bo Hampton, Keith Pollard, Michael Bair, Marc Silvestri, Richard Howell, and Bob McLeod, along with a slew of inkers, colorists, and letterers.
Now, although this is volume 3, feel free to pick it up and jump right in, even if you haven’t read volumes 1 and 2. Marvel designs their Epic Collections to each stand on their own as an accessible, easily digestible book. The company doesn’t even publish them in consecutive order! Completionists may cringe at the thought of this, but nonetheless it makes for a fun, carefree reading experience.
Moon Knight is the definition of a cult character, but he’s also a fan-favorite. Marc Spector is an interesting, complex character, and his dissociative identity disorder makes him all the more unique. If you’re looking to get into the character, Moench and Sienkiewicz is a great place to start. This volume is a great primer for what Moon Knight has to offer: you get a good look at his rogues gallery, including a rematch with Werewolf by Night (whose title Moony first appeared in), as well as appearances by Marvel icons like Doctor Strange. But perhaps the best thing you get is the art clinic by Sienkiewicz and company.
This book holds some of the best comics art that the 80s had to offer. Moon Knight is a street level hero, akin to Daredevil or Luke Cage, and his stories are dark and gritty. The art perfectly reflects that. Sienkiewicz is famous for his rough, edgy style, and his successors on Moon Knight carry that feeling over. There’s a raw, unsettling atmosphere that permeates this book from start to finish, which is great because Moon Knight is – in many ways – a horror comic. Final Rest feels like old-school, late 80s/early 90s Vertigo; open to any page and you’ll see.
The 80s were a big decade for change in comics. Stories were getting darker, more adult, and if you’re looking for a snapshot of the period, definitely check out Moon Knight Epic Collection Volume 3: Final Rest.
