Daddy Isn’t Happy — Reviewing ‘Moon Knight: Fist Of Khonshu’ #6

Taking on a foe that you know very little about in a ‘winner takes all’ bout, isn’t the smartest move. Especially when that foe has turned the world against you, killed those close to you, and turns out to be an Asgardian in disguise.

Vengeance and anger tend to cloud the judgement of even the smartest and savviest people. The Moon Knight has fallen and must rise once more, as Jed MacKay, Domenico Carbone, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Cory Petit dole out some action-borne consequences.

Khonshu might be a real jerk as a god, but, by golly, that godly frustration feels warranted. His favorite “son” keeps messing up in ways that should be avoidable. MacKay gives us some really insightful moments between the god and his fist in human form. There are also a lot of great character beats with Moon Knight and Tigra upon his return.

In a way, the issue serves as a relieving balm after the intensity of the first five, giving characters a moment to regroup and find themselves. It’s time to air out issues, feelings, and grievances that were pushed aside during the siege on their home.

MacKay is such a master at getting the most out of his characters in most respects. This series has really endeared the character of Moon Knight (and many others) to myself and others.

This issue is one of those that feels like nothing happened, when actually, everything happened. It gives a pause in the journey so that the characters, and readers, can recalibrate. It promises even better things to come because our heroes have rallied and come back together, which is when they are at their most unstoppable.

There is a particular flavor that works best for this series visually. It can tap into the rougher textures while maintaining something that feels fluid. It’s able to really show off dynamic action through really solid panel choices, so that the fantastical of this world feels down to our level, gritty and somewhat untouchable.

We get that in spades now that Carbone and Devmalya Pramanik are sharing artistic duties. Adding Carbone to the series was a great choice, especially as his first Marvel work. Everything about the artwork fits this series and carries on the tradition born out of the three plus years we’ve been on this journey. Moody and atmospheric in all the right ways, the art allows emotions to stand tall as they are meant to do.

Adding to that are the shifting colors on display. Big vibrant splashes in some places are replaced or enhanced by dark swirling tones. Rosenberg nails the tone every single issue, proving what a powerhouse colorist she is all the time. There is a roughness that she bakes into the colors here to really play off what Carbone has on the page. This gives those palettes a sharp edge in which to cut as they slash through the story with ease.

Character work means nothing if the emotional beats don’t hit. Artistically, they are clear on the faces and body language on the page, boosted by the colors around them. None of that makes it complete, though, until Petit brings in the lettering magic. He lets every word on the page have feeling, purpose, and power beyond what the script already featured. Colors, shifting bubbles, changing fonts, and more take the words to the next level of effectiveness.

Moon Knight: Fist Of Khonshu #6 is now available from Marvel Comics.