Are you a fan of Moon Knight comics but struggling to read them in the right order? Don’t worry, in this post I’ll help you navigate through the Moon Knight series and give you with a simple reading order.
In short, the best way to read Moon Knight comics is to start with his first appearance in Werewolf by Night #32 and then move on to his solo series, which began in 1980. From there, you can follow the reading order in this post to enjoy the full scope of Moon Knight’s adventures.
Let’s also explore the various storylines and character arcs throughout Moon Knight’s history and some recommendations for other comic book series to check out along the way. So keep reading!
How many Moon Knight comics are there?
Moon Knight has been featured in many comic book series and one-shots since his first appearance in Werewolf by Night #32 in 1975. Some of the most notable Moon Knight series and limited series include:
- Moon Knight (1980-1984)
- Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989-1994)
- Moon Knight (1998-2002)
- Moon Knight (2006-2009)
- Vengeance of the Moon Knight (2009-2010)
- Moon Knight (2011-2012)
- Moon Knight (2014-2015)
- Moon Knight (2016-2018)
- Moon Knight (2021-present)
In addition to these ongoing and limited series, Moon Knight has appeared in various crossover events and team-up titles, such as The Avengers and Secret Avengers.
The character has a dedicated fan base and has been a popular part of the Marvel Universe for many years.
Where to start reading Moon Knight?
If you’re looking to start reading Moon Knight, there are a few options depending on your preferences and level of familiarity with the character. Here are three different starting points to consider:
Start with Moon Knight (2014-2015) by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey: This series is often recommended as a great entry point for new readers, as it features a streamlined and self-contained story that doesn’t require much prior knowledge of the character.
In this series, Moon Knight is depicted as a mysterious and enigmatic vigilante who uses his detective skills and occult knowledge to fight crime in the streets of New York City.
Start with the original Moon Knight (1980-1984) series by Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz: This series is the classic introduction to the character and is widely regarded as one of the best Moon Knight runs ever.
It follows the story of mercenary Marc Spector, who becomes the avatar of the Egyptian god Khonshu and takes on the mantle of Moon Knight.
Start with Moon Knight (2016-2018) by Jeff Lemire and Greg Smallwood: This series takes a more introspective and psychological approach to the character, exploring Moon Knight’s mental health and the different personas he has created to cope with trauma.
Like the Ellis/Shalvey series, this run is self-contained and doesn’t require much prior character knowledge.
How to read the Moon Knight comics?
If you’re interested in reading Moon Knight comics, there are a few different ways to get started.
One option is to pick up one of the many collected editions or trade paperbacks published over the years.
These usually contain several issues of a particular series or storyline in one volume, making diving into a complete arc easily.
Some popular collected editions include “Moon Knight Epic Collection: Bad Moon Rising” and “Moon Knight by Bendis & Maleev.”
Another option is to use a digital comics platform, such as Marvel Unlimited, ComiXology, or Kindle.
These services allow you to access a large library of digital comics, including many Moon Knight titles.
This can be a convenient and cost-effective way to read the comics if you don’t have access to physical copies or if you prefer reading on a tablet or computer.
Lastly, if you have a local comic book shop in your area, you can visit and browse their selection of Moon Knight comics.
The staff there can also be a great resource for recommendations and advice on where to start.
No matter which method you choose, reading Moon Knight comics is a great way to experience the character’s thrilling adventures and unique personality.
Where is Moon Knight in chronological order?
Part 1: The Stalker Called Moon Knight
Part 1 of the Moon Knight saga begins with the introduction of none other than, The Stalker Called Moon Knight!
He was first introduced as a nemesis of Werewolf by Night and later made unexpected cameos in various Marvel comics.
This eccentric character has many different roles and personalities; from millionaire playboy to ghost, from mercenary to cab driver and even werewolf hunter.
Follow the Fist of Khonshu as he embarks on a journey to find his place in the expansive universe of Marvel Comics.
Experience his earliest appearances as he confronts villains, fights for justice and battles supernatural beings; all while attempting to establish himself as one of Marvel’s most impressive heroes.
If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure, then you can’t go wrong with the original adventures of The Stalker Called Moon Knight!
Reading Order:
- Werewolf by Night #32-33
- Marvel Spotlight #28-29
- The Defenders #46-51
- The Spectacular Spider-Man #22-23
- Marvel Two-in-One #52
Part 2: The Macabre Moon Knight
If you’re looking for the next part of your Moon Knight comics journey, then you’ve got to check out Part 2: The Macabre Moon Knight!
This tale follows the Marvel’s multiple-personality midnight marauder as he takes on a host of strange foes.
He’ll go toe-to-toe with Arsenal, the one-man army, and face off against Stained Glass Scarlet, a nun with a crossbow.
Then, there’s The Jester who will give both Moon Knight and Daredevil a run for their money.
And finally, there’s Morpheus – an enemy guaranteed to keep you up at night. So if you want more edge-of-your-seat action and nail-biting drama, then grab your copy of Part 2: The Macabre Moon Knight and get ready to dive into the unknown!
Reading Order:
- Moon Knight (1980) #1-16
- The Amazing Spider-Man #220
- Moon Knight #17-23
- Iron Man #161
- Moon Knight #24-25
- Power Man and Iron Fist #87-88
- Moon Knight #26-#39
- Marvel Team-Up #144
Part 3: West Coast Knights
The third part of Moon Knight comics is called “West Coast Knights”. In this arc, Moon Knight joins the West Coast Avengers as they’re attacked by the Zodiac.
Things get even more complicated when two familiar faces come back from the dead.
Mockingbird must also deal with a lingering ghost from her past that threatens to destroy her marriage.
Will Moon Knight be able to help Mockingbird lay the specter to rest? Find out in “West Coast Knights”, the third part of all Moon Knight comics!
Reading Order:
- Moon Knight (1985) #1-6
- Marvel Fanfare #30
- The West Coast Avengers #21-24
- The West Coast Avengers Annual #2
- The Avengers Annual #16
- The West Coast Avengers #25-37
- The West Coast Avengers Annual #3
- The West Coast Avengers #38-41
Part 4: New Moon
Marc Spector has reached a crucial point in his journey with Part 4: New Moon – one that sees him dealing with the true nature of Khonshu and other revelations.
He isn’t the same Moon Knight we’ve seen before, as he decides to give up being an Avenger during the Infinity Gauntlet and Infinity Wars events.
This period offers readers a unique chance to explore a character in transition, struggling with newfound powers and alliances while still fighting on behalf of justice. Fans should not miss this brilliant addition to the Moon Knight mythos.
Reading Order:
- Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1-14
- Marvel Super-Heroes #1
- Marc Spector: Moon Knight #15-33
- The Amazing Spider-Man #353-358
- Marc Spector: Moon Knight #34-40
- Marc Spector: Moon Knight Special #1
- Moon Knight: Divided We Fall #1
- Marc Spector: Moon Knight #41-60
Part 5: God and Country
Part 5 of the Moon Knight comics series takes us to a place few heroes have gone before – God and Country.
After heroically returning to life, Moon Knight is thrust into a number of intriguing encounters with other heroes including Black Panther and Daredevil.
As a result of the Superhuman Civil War, Moon Knight finds himself in possession of registration card, which leads him on a journey full of revelations that will change his destiny forever.
As he struggles to figure out this new way forward, whoof all people will come to his aid? Be sure to read Part 5 – God and Country – to answer these questions and more!
Reading Order:
- Moon Knight (1998) #1-4
- Moon Knight (1999) #1-4
- Black Panther #21-22
- Marvel Knights #1-15
- Marvel Team-Up (2004) #7-10
- Moon Knight (2006) #1-13
- Moon Knight Annual #1
- Moon Knight #14-30
Part 6: Of Secrets and Shadows
In Part 6 of the Moon Knight comics, “Of Secrets and Shadows”, Daredevil summons the Profile to take out Moon Knight.
The Profile enlists a mysterious figure – the Shadow Knight, an avatar of Khonshu – to help him with his mission.
In this section of the comics, Moon Knight must battle against the Shadow Knight and discover his secret plan before it’s too late.
As always, Marvel does an amazing job of creating suspense in their comics.
With inventive visuals and descriptions that evoke feelings of anticipation, readers can’t help but be drawn in by Moon Knight’s struggles as he faces off against his toughest enemy yet: himself!
Fans of action-packed comic books will love Part 6 of Moon Knight comics and it’s sure to keep them on the edge of their seat throughout!
Reading Order:
- Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1-8
- Secret Avengers (2010) #1-4
- Vengeance of the Moon Knight #9-10
- Shadowland #1
- Shadowland: Moon Knight #1
- Shadowland #2-3
- Shadowland: Moon Knight #2-3
- Shadowland #4-5
- Shadowland: After the Fall #1
Part 7: The Heroic Moon Knight
Part 7: The Heroic Moon Knight brings the journey of Marvel’s Moon Knight full circle.
In this chapter of his life, Marc Spector is working for the Heroes for Hire and Secret Avengers.
But he doesn’t just stop there – Marc moves on to develop a television series based off his own life and take on even more heroic identities!
Then, when the Watcher is murdered, Moon Knight is enlisted by his fellow heroes to hunt down the killer.
It is through this mission that it becomes clear the scope of Spector’s heroism, as he demonstrates compassion and courage in order to solve a case that affects all of Marvel’s heroes.
So if you’re looking to gain a greater understanding of Moon Knight’s story, make sure you read Part 7:The Heroic Moon Knight!
Reading Order:
- Heroes for Hire (2011) #1-5
- Secret Avengers #9-12.1
- Onslaught Unleashed #1-4
- Heroes for Hire #12
- Secret Avengers #16-21
- Moon Knight (2011) #1-12
- Daken: Dark Wolverine #13-16
- Original Sin #1-8
Part 8: Lunatic
Part 8 of the Moon Knight comics is titled, “Lunatic”. In this issue, Marc Spector finds himself in a mental institution after his life spirals out of control.
While in the asylum he questions his beliefs about Khonshu and Moon Knight. We see how Moon Knight goes from vigilante to crime-fighter and uncovers what happened to him during his last mission with the NYPD.
He’s faced with making a decision between the two sides of himself – the seeker of justice or chaos.
Whether he can balance both aspects and make it out alive is something only time will tell!
Lunatic gives us a glimpse into exactly who Moon Knight is, what drives him, and why readers have been drawn to him since his debut back in 1975!
Reading Order:
- Moon Knight (2014) #1-17
- Moon Knight (2016) #1-14
- Moon Knight #188-200
Best Moon Knight comic series for a beginner
For a beginner looking to get into Moon Knight comics, a good place to start would be the 2014 series written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Declan Shalvey.
This series is often recommended as a great entry point for new readers, as it features a streamlined and self-contained story that doesn’t require a lot of prior knowledge of the character.
In this series, Moon Knight is depicted as a mysterious and enigmatic vigilante who uses his detective skills and occult knowledge to fight crime in the streets of New York City.
The artwork by Shalvey is particularly striking, with moody and atmospheric panels that capture the gritty urban feel of the story.
Another good option for beginners is the 2016 series written by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Greg Smallwood.
This series takes a more introspective and psychological approach to the character, exploring Moon Knight’s mental health and the different personas he has created to cope with trauma.
Like the Ellis/Shalvey series, this run is self-contained and doesn’t require a lot of prior knowledge of the character.
Both of these series are widely regarded as some of the best Moon Knight stories in recent years, and are great starting points for anyone looking to get into the character.
What is the most powerful version of Moon Knight?
Moon Knight has had different power levels and abilities throughout his comic book history, but there is no definitive version that can be considered the most powerful.
The character’s abilities and strengths have varied depending on the writer and storyline, and different versions have focused on different aspects of Moon Knight’s skillset and personality.
That being said, some versions of Moon Knight have been particularly notable for their power levels and abilities.
For example, in the “Vengeance of the Moon Knight” storyline written by Gregg Hurwitz and illustrated by Jerome Opeña, Moon Knight is shown to have enhanced strength, agility, and durability due to the use of experimental drugs.
This version of Moon Knight also has access to advanced technology and weapons, such as a moon-shaped hovercraft and a suit made of “adamantium.”
Another version of Moon Knight that is often considered powerful is the one created by Charlie Huston and David Finch in 2006.
This version of the character had a darker and more violent personality, and was depicted as a highly skilled fighter with advanced combat training and tactics.
Ultimately, the most powerful version of Moon Knight is a matter of interpretation and personal preference, as different readers may find different versions of the character to be the most impressive and formidable.
Was Moon Knight a character in the original Marvel comics?
Yes, Moon Knight is a character that was created by Marvel Comics and first appeared in Werewolf by Night #32 in August 1975.
The character was created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin, and was originally intended to be a one-off villain for the title character, Jack Russell, aka the Werewolf.
However, Moon Knight proved to be popular with readers and was given his own solo series a few years later. Since then, Moon Knight has been a recurring character in the Marvel Universe and has appeared in various other titles and crossover events.
What version of Moon Knight is most popular?
Moon Knight is a character that has undergone several different versions and iterations throughout his comic book history.
Among these, there are a few that are particularly well-regarded by fans and critics. The original Moon Knight, created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin in 1975, is often considered a classic version of the character.
This version of Moon Knight was a mercenary named Marc Spector who becomes the avatar of the Egyptian god Khonshu.
Another popular version of the character was created by Charlie Huston and David Finch in 2006, which featured a darker and more violent interpretation of Moon Knight dealing with PTSD and dissociative identity disorder.
More recently, the version created by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey in 2014 has also been well-received, emphasizing Moon Knight’s detective skills and occult influences.
Overall, the most popular version of Moon Knight is likely to depend on personal taste, but these three iterations have all been widely praised by fans and critics.
Conclusion
Moon Knight is an exciting and complex one, filled with intriguing characters and captivating storylines.
By following the chronological reading order we’ve provided, you can fully immerse yourself in the journey of the mysterious vigilante known as Moon Knight.
From his origins as a street-level hero to his ascension to the ranks of Marvel’s top heroes, Moon Knight’s adventures are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
