I did not go into this book expecting a "perfect ending" because it’s not, neither perfect nor an ending, as MacKay's run will continue after this so this is more another piece in the larger story he’s telling, so this is less an ending to his version of the character and more just the wrap up to a few loose threads he had hanging before heading into the next era.
With that being said, I liked the book but the impact is kinda lost for me, mainly because of how 3 out of the 9 books that made up this mini-series were tie-ins to an event I personally didn’t care much about, so it lessens the impact both Marc's return and the fight with the fake Moon Knight should have; maybe if I pick up the Blood Hunt TPB this issue will be alleviated a bit but for now it does feel like this big moment that got diminished for the sake of an event.
But that being said, the main fight is great, super fun and energetic, Pramanik's art is just as dynamic and fun as Cappuccio's and gives the fight a lot of weight, and that’s mainly what this issue is: the fight between Marc and the impostor MK that was running around at the start of the series, it’s fun, but not as satisfying as it should feel because of the previously stated reasons.
That being said, MacKay's writing is still strong and I love his depiction of Marc, I can’t wait to see what he’s cooking up next, a good enough ending for this era and prepping us up for the next.
You think you know how it will end and then a surprise happens. It so great to see Marc grow as a character, yes he is still brutal and still strikes fear into others but it is so because he has a mission to protect his community. He see that other people can change because he has gone through the same journey. So seeing how he navigated Khonshu’s demand for the death of a “false moon knight” was satisfying and shows a lot of nuance to Marc’s character. He is brutal but he is just.
I can't tell you enough just how much I loved this run. Moon Knight has the best supporting cast in comics rn and it isn't even close to me. I'm so glad we had this time to see how the Mission operated without Marc, but his return had me smiling and kicking my feet. I missed seeing him argue with Khonshu SO much
Really enjoyed this issue and most of all Devalya Pramanik's artwork, though i feel like i picked the wrong issue up for my first Moon Knight comic! Marc's return as Moon Knight is done well and its easy enough to comprehend the narrative without reading anything prior to it, but it'd serve well to read the previous installments to Jed Mackay's long-standing run rejuvenating this character!
Great story arc, glad to see everyone returned for story especially Khonsu. The expansion of Hunters Moon story and devotion to saving and protecting the Midnight Mission along with Reese and Soldier.