Essential Moon Knight, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)

The Essential books by Marvel are large but inexpensive collections of classic comics. They're inexpensive because they're printed on newsprint paper and in black and white. This is not the best format for every artist. Its great for Bill Sienkiewicz though, which is why I got it. Sienkiewicz made a big splash in comics in the eighties by doing what can only be described as expressionistic comic art. His run on Moon Knight is precisely where his work.mutates from a good and pretty exciting artist (inspired largely by Neal Adams) to his mix of expressive line deep black shadow, large white spaces and truly beautiful use of ink. It is perfectly demonstrated by the black and white printing. The stories are largely good, but hampered by being limited to single issue stories which forces writer Doug Moench to simplify complex ideas. The last eight issues are by far the best. The first few are good too and comparing the first and last show how the Moench/Sienkiewicz team grew into awesomeness. There's a number of issues that present a multi-issue story which features interesting comments on terrorism. Too bad the art there is not done by Sienkiewicz but by a mediocre inked. Also there's a number of other artists some better than others. But overall a great collection of over twenty stories.

This book is full of great writing by Moench, and great art from a couple of burgeoning artists. In MK Vol.2, we get to experience the beginning of Bill Sienkiewicz's career. After a few episodes, they really hit their stride. The storytelling gets really good both from an artwork perspective and through Moench's writing. (I will admit, though, that some of the dialog is a little stilted, but I kind of chalk that up to the teen target audience and early eighties superhero genre, because Moench's other work on Tales of the Zombie, Werewolf by Night, etc. tends to be less so.)Here is something that I learned that I did not realize. Frank Miller has a handful of covers during this run. Yes, he was working at marvel at the time, as many of you reading this probably know. Why is this interesting? Miller would one day reinvent Batman, and Doug Moench would go on to spend a significant amount of his career as well to write stories of the caped crusader. In the early eighties, when these Moon Knight comics were running, Batman's more mature image wasn't fully developed. This is interesting, because I have read so many reviews, blogs, etc. that talk about MK as "Marvel's Batman." But, could it be that in this run of the MK series, we are actually seeing the seeds to what would later become the Dark Knight as many of us know him? Could the reincarnation of Batman be modeled off of Moon Knight? (Dark Knight/Moon Knight) I realize I may not be very popular for saying this, but it seems highly plausible and maybe even likely since Batman's "modern age" didn't really start until 1986. Pick up this MK essentials and tell me if it is possible.

Its been a little more than a year since volume 1 came out, and I've found that volume 2 is as good or even better than the first one. The art continues to improve, and being in black and white just adds to the mysterious feel of Moon Knight.This volume contains issues 11-30 of the first run of Moon Knight comics, first published in the 1980's. It continues Moon Knights battles with the stranger, grittier villains that the other heroes rarely deal with. Morpheus, Stained Glass Scarlet, Werewolf-by-Night, and Jester are just a few of the odd characters that make appearances.Yet this series is about more than just Moon Knight. Its a team book as much as Fantastic Four, Avengers, and the X-Men. What makes this team different is that none of major players have costumes (except Moon Knight). Gena, Crawley, Marlene, Frenchie, and even Detective Flint are major characters in their own right, and Moon Knight could not function without them. They help to characterize Moon Knight, and play an important role in many of the stories.The main character is a team all by himself. Marc Spector, Jake Lockley, Steven Grant and Moon Knight are all different fawcets of one character. Some say that they represent different aspects of the moon: Moon Knight is the full moon, Marc Spector is the new moon, Seven Grant is the waxing moon, and Jake Lockley is the waning moon.It is differently a series worth reading, and collecting. Definetly worth the five stars!!

Perfect for a moon knight fan

For fans of Moon Knight.... revel in the Lunar Crusader is at his best. For people who haven't heard of, or haven't read, Moon Knight before you should like it. It shows why Moon Knight is Marvel Comics' Batman. An excellent read and safe for children seven years old and up. Moon Knight has been one of my favorite characters since I was a child. So, if you want to see how great comic characters are made great read this and Volume number one.

It came on time, in fine condition, and was exactly what I expected.

As befits a character juggling 4 personalities this book can be a bit hit and miss, most of the tales work but a few including the Brother Voodoo one failed to make an impression at all.The writing, however, in most of the other tales is excellent, in the opening tale we get a look into Frenchie's past. Moon Knight has a strained relationship with the law, and interestingly has to confront several "allies" who take the law into their own hands, as well as tackling corruption within the police and local government. His own internal struggles as he tries to forget his past life as a mercenary bring him into conflict with his lover Marlene.Memorable tales include those with Morpheus the Dream Demon, The Jester (featuring Daredevil), Nimrod Strange and the Slayers Elite. The real standouts are his attempts to stop an assassin filled with early 80's angst about the threat to America from outsiders. Also the tales with Black Spectre who sees himself as the dark version of Moon Knight, Stained Glass Scarlet, the guest appearance from The Kingpin as MK tracks a cop killer and fittingly it ends with a 2 part tale featuring Jack Russell, the Werewolf.Many of the extras that appeared in the original comic are here, featurettes including articles on the cast of characters, weapons as well as several full page posters. There's also several filler stories including tales of Marc Spector's days as a mercenary and Tales of Konshu.Although Moon Knight will never appear in my favourites list these Essential books gave me an opportunity to catch up on a character I had largely chosen to ignore.

Another great batch of stories from MARVEL'S BATMAN.Superfast delivery from a well established excellent company

Strongest TPB of the three

Genial. Una de las mejores etapas del cómic. Aquí comienza la evolución de Bill Sienkiewicz en los trazos. Y la narrativa, superior. 10 de 10.