Moon Knight #9 Review - Marvel Monday

How Can I Not Be Real?

Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Greg Smallwood, Wilfredo Torres, Francesco Francavilla and James Stokoe
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 7, 2016
Review by: Josh Vermillion

Jeff Lemire should never leave Moon Knight. I don’t care how many “bigger” books Marvel wants him to write, he needs to stay on this one. I can’t praise his storytelling enough as he gives us the tale of Marc Spector’s multiple personalities. The first 8 issues cemented this as the best run of any book I’ve ever read. It’s safe to say I was excited for #9 to come out, so let’s see if it lives up to my own hype I gave it.



I don’t want to blow my load too early, but this is basically a setup issue. Although it’s the end of the “Incarnations” story arc, it’s more of a beginning for whatever is going to come next. But damn if it isn’t one of the best setup issues I’ve ever read.

The book basically boils down to Marc Spector (the real one), combining his various personalities back into himself. Even he admits that he doesn’t exactly know what’s going on (join the club, buddy) but he knows what he needs to do.

The persona of space fighter Marc Spector is the easiest to get rid of, as he’s the newest and Marc isn’t really sure where he came from. Jake Lockley proves more difficult and puts up a fight as Moon Knight. Marc is forced to kill him to make him disappear. Steven Grant is the hardest personality to fold back in, though.

We find out that Steven has been around since Marc was a little kid and has always been a part of him. We even get a heartfelt goodbye between Marc and Steven and he accepts his place inside Marc’s mind. Marc finally feels whole and like he has a clear mind, so he decides it’s time to return to the hospital and take on Khonshu.

Greg Smallwood is back on art for the majority of the issue, but the way they work in the other artists as the various personalities fade away flows together seamlessly. Lemire continues to confuse the hell out of just about everyone, including his own character, but something about it just works.

Bits and Pieces:

Please, Mr. Marvel, never take Jeff Lemire off of this book. He is telling a Moon Knight story like no writer ever has. Even though not much happens in this one, my faith is in Lemire that there will be a payoff.

9.0/10