(EDITOR’S NOTE: Paint Monk’s Library, in collaboration with the enthusiastic staff over at the Into the Knight Podcast, are tackling the Moon Knight chronology! Each week we’ll take an in-depth look at the Fist Of Khonshu in a series of reviews, all in order of character appearance! These reviews will appear on Monday each week until we’ve covered them all, or until the enthusiastic Moonies get too exhausted to write. Whichever comes first!)

By REYNALDO G. – Guest Writer

This issue brings Moon Knight in contact with the greater Marvel Universe and sees the start of the Fist of Khonshu functioning as a potential team member.

Solid writing and multiple story threads make this enjoyable and engaging throughout, with the added satisfaction of seeing those threads come together towards the end of the story.

Although dialogue and behaviors of the characters are somewhat dated by today’s standards, a willingness to suspend disbelief enables this issue to remain entertaining, if only to satiate those readers curious in wanting to read some Bronze Age-era comics.

This is a very different Moon Knight from what we are familiar with today, but there are many traits seen here (the lone wolf aspect, distrust of others, a dislike of authority) that make up what we love about the character.

REVIEW: Defenders (Vol. 1) #47

Valkyrie and Hellcat leave Hulk and Nighthawk at the Defenders Headquarters, as Hellcat hitches a ride with Valkyrie to the Avengers’ mansion for unfinished business.

Hulk, slightly confused at his team members’ departure, chooses to be alone and leaves Nighthawk to his own devices. With the recent events at Defenders’ HQ, Nighthawk welcomes the opportunity to wind down on his own and runs himself a warm bath, settling down with the newspaper.

Meanwhile, across town in New Jersey, Nick Fury and his S.H.I.E.L.D operatives appear to carry out the abduction of an unknown man. Little do they know that they are being watched from high above – by none other than Moon Knight!

The lunar Avatar of Vengeance springs into action, disabling Fury’s men, but he’s met with a greater challenge when facing Nick Fury himself. The two heroes trade blows, but it’s Moon Knight who gains the upper hand. As Fury’s men regain their feet, they are met by Jack Norriss – the would-be abductee – who joins Moon Knight in battling his captors. Nick Fury, as always, has a plan and when all looks lost, Fury deploys a smoke bomb, allowing himself and S.H.I.E.L.D to escape.

As all of this is happening, in Greenwich Village at one Sanctum Sanctorum, Valkyrie visits Clea in Doctor Strange’s absence. Clea assists Valkyrie with a new wardrobe, granting her a new and improved costume.

While Valkyrie settles into her new threads, Hellcat is back at Avengers Mansion hoping to catch her fellow heroes there. Instead, she stumbles upon Simon Williams, AKA Wonder Man, and not knowing that he has recently joined the Avengers, she mistakes him for an intruder and sets about to detain him. The fight is short but before Hellcat is knocked unconscious by falling debris, she realizes Wonder Man is not the enemy.

As we turn our attention back to Moon Knight and Jack Norriss, it’s not long before they reach the Sanctum Sanctorum. Jack knows Doctor Strange and the Defenders, and he pleads with Valkyrie (still there with Clea) for help.

Jack has been wanted by S.H.I.E.L.D for sensitive information regarding a presidential candidate, however, Jack was reluctant to cooperate, as it places his friend Doctor Strange at risk. Moon Knight concurs with Jack about S.H.I.E.L.D’s failed abduction attempt and so Valkyrie, Moon Knight and Jack head to Avengers Headquarters to seek help and have some light shed on S.H.I.E.L.D’s actions.

Moon Knight and company arrive at Avengers headquarters, just in time to see Wonder Man break free of the fallen debris and Hellcat lying unconscious at his feet. Valkyrie and Moon Knight burst in and attack the hapless Wonder Man who responds in kind.

Just as Wonder Man starts to get the upper hand, Hellcat regains consciousness and screams for them all to stop, explaining that Wonder Man saved her life from the debris that came down on them both. But before they can all put their differences completely aside, a message comes in over the monitors – it’s Nick Fury, and he wants Jack Norriss!

CAPSULE REVIEW: Defenders #47 is something of a milestone for Moon Knight in that it is here that we see for the first time Marc Spector interact more with the rest of the Marvel Universe. Not only do we get the likes of The Defenders and S.H.I.E.L.D, but the big hitters – The Avengers – also feature in this action packed ‘70s romp.

Essentially, Moon Knight forms one of the three main threads which make up the issue and eventually weave together by the last page. Valkyrie heads over to visit Clea at the Sanctum Sanctorum; Moon Knight encounters S.H.I.E.L.D and the pivotal character of the arc, Jack Norriss, while Hellcat ventures to Avengers Mansion, only to go toe-to-toe with Wonder Man over a deceptively simple misunderstanding.

John Warner does really well in keeping a good pace to the issue and allows the sub-plots to unfold and take their time. It’s due to the considerate writing that we get a substantial appearance by Moon Knight –  our White Knight begins where he left off in Marvel Spotlight as a lone wolf, but finds himself an unofficial member of The Defenders before long!

Focusing on the Moon Knight-centric sub-plot of The Defenders #47, we are introduced to the Fist of Khonshu as he intervenes with what appears to be a shady abduction. Warner makes a statement here by having Moon Knight disregard the fact that Nick Fury and his accomplices are part of a sanctioned government division. What we know of Moon Knight thus far is that he is a mercenary-for-hire (see his first appearance in Werewolf by Night #32) who eventually turns over a new leaf to pursue the fight for justice. The fact that here, we see Moon Knight disregard S.H.I.E.L.D is initially surprising, however what it does make clear is the notion that Moon Knight is more of a rogue-ish character – one who would spurn authority for the name of justice – in essence, a vigilante.

This trait is an interesting one as it creates a unique dynamic within The Defenders group. Although they all are heroes in the conventional sense, Moon Knight is constantly seen as an outsider (which is still prevalent today). Their opposing values come to a head at the climax of the issue when Valkyrie, Hellcat and Moon Knight are faced with an ultimatum by Nick Fury to hand over Jack Norriss.

Apart from setting up this dilemma and masterfully crafting the Valkyrie/Hellcat/Moon Knight threads into one larger plot with greater stakes, Warner infuses the issue with playful and light banter which is symptomatic of the comic books during the mid to late ‘70s. Trivial domesticity which you’d never see much in today’s comic books show Nighthawk unwinding at The Defenders Headquarters because – well, because he can. A soothing hot tub and thoughts on how to meet a nice lady are capped off with Nighthawk’s surprisingly very “meta” thoughts on how superheroes are only for the comics…and the newspaper he wants to read only has Doonesbury! Although Warner pens a deft touch with his writing here, it’s countered with his dialogue between Nick Fury and Moon Knight later on, which borders on school yard and juvenile banter.

When the writing does fall short (and again, much of it is due to how stories were written at the time) it’s where conflict arises from simple misunderstandings.

Moon Knight attacks S.H.I.E.L.D in order to save Jack Norriss but did it ever occur to him to ask the question, “Why is S.H.I.E.L.D taking this man in?” Surely, there would be some semblance of a reason why S.H.I.E.L.D would need to detain him. Let’s not forget too, that Moon Knight also has no idea who Norriss is – he could well be a criminal or super villain for all we know!

Secondly, the misunderstanding between Hellcat and Wonder Man was at times frustrating to read. A simple explanation form Wonder Man could have saved a lot of broken equipment and property damage to Avengers’ mansion.

Finally, this review would not be complete without making mention of the artwork. The art by Keith Griffen and Klaus Janson was a pleasure. Each page was well-utilized with well thought out panel layouts and the artwork never looked underdrawn or lacking in any way. The action scenes were fluid and energetic – carrying on from Don Perlin and Bill Sienkiewicz’s work, Moon Knight is rendered as proficiently agile and dexterous, and his classic costume (complete with cape attachments at the wrists) is quite at home still in this era. The action towards the end of the issue at Avengers’ mansion is fast-paced and enthralling with both Griffen and Janson leading the eye masterfully with Hellcat, Wonder Man and Moon Knight’s movements between panels – it’s almost like a ballet on the page.

Overall, as far as setup issues go (this being part one of a new arc), Warner, Kraft and Slifer manage to go beyond the immediate requirement of setting up the story. By setting multiple threads in motion, they ensure The Defenders #47 is a worthy issue which could well be an enjoyable issue to read by itself, even if you don’t bother to see how the arc ends.

The dynamics of Moon Knight within the team are interesting as The Defenders so far don’t really know what to make of him and the packed ensemble of The Defenders, S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers make this a worthwhile read for a diverse range of comic book fans.