Marvel's Moon Knight might seem like a gritty anti-hero who has no time for humorous shenanigans, but you'd be wrong. Marc Spector, or whoever he thinks he is under the mask at the time, gives us a few humorous moments that contrast with his usual selves.
Moon Knight is known for his deadpan quips, a complete lack of tact, oddball tastes in cuisine, and other weird quirks. Moon Knight could have easily just been lost in the flood of edgy '90s anti-heroes, but the oddity of his character makes him stand the test of time.
Updated on September 15th, 2022, by Kevin Pantoja: Moon Knight was an interesting character to bring into the Marc's dark sense of humor shined through on occasion.
Un-Peaceful Meditation
In Max Bemis’ Moon Knight #190, Marc goes through a lot of mental turmoil regularly, so it’s no surprise that he’s taken up meditation. Peace of mind is probably one of the few things Moon Knight truly seeks (besides beating up criminals). However, his attempts aren’t exactly successful.
Marc’s personas trying to calm each other down isn’t exactly a great time. Moon Knight bothering regular park goers with his attempts at gaining peace of mind makes for an amusing outsider's view on his character.
Not Working Out For Spider-Man
Moon Knight and Spider-Man usually have a more friendly relationship than what readers see in the Vengeance of The Moon Knight # 5 (2009) storyline. However, the pair have clashed on Moon Knight’s more ruthless methods several times, only this time, Moon Knight has the moral high ground. Literally.
While a somber certainly, it’s also darkly hilarious considering what Moon Knight just said. It’s true that during times of crisis, the more “goody-two-shoes” heroes tend to struggle. However, considering Moon Knight is mostly a ruthless D-lister, he’s probably just rubbing it in.
It’s Not A Mask
Moon Knight has always had a problem keeping himself anchored to reality. His personas could be ghosts, or maybe just a severe mental disorder. However, what’s consistent between all five is one thing: They’re all Moon Knight, one way or another.
In Warren Ellis’ Moon Knight #5 (2014), the little girl understands Moon Knight best out of any other hero or villain that Moon Knight has faced. She’s acknowledging Moon Knight not as a mask, but as his person. It lines up with some of Oscar Isaac's Moon Knight having wholesome moments as well.
Moon Knight Meets Spider-Man
Moon Knight being how he is, it’s probably not likely that he meets heroes who joke around with him. Mostly, they just start punching. Not so with Spider-Man in Bendis’ Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Knights. After easily catching Moon Knight’s crescent darts, they start arguing over ownership like playground children.
Moon Knight being genuinely taken aback is a rare sight, and it’s also a great start to his hilarious interactions with the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. This is also a fun introduction to Moon Knight’s character for new readers.
Moon Knight Corrects Spider-Man
One of the best things Moon Knight excels at in humor is being completely deadpan when delivering the most absurd lines. During a meeting with other heroes in Bendis’ Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Knights, Moon Knight is taken aback by the appearance of Spider-Man.
His response to Spider-Man not being the usual “are you an idiot?” and instead of a genuine correction, shows how socially awkward Moon Knight is. The seriousness with which he says “there are no chicken wings” makes Moon Knight a great straight man for Spidey.
Moon Knight Goes To Therapy
In the Loeb Brothers’Hulk #9 (2008), Sentry and Moon Knight have a lot of issues to work out, so it’s quite funny and wholesome to see them discussing therapy. Not to mention, therapy that they have been undergoing for a while. The casual conversation in the middle of a tense situation is unexpected yet welcome.
Sentry and Marc having the same therapist also make you think how brave that therapist is for talking with essentially Marvel’s Superman and Batman. Sentry also checking if he’s talking to Marc shows how well they know each other by this point. It’s exciting to see Moon Knight talk with friends (besides Spider-Man) for once. Fans want more of that if the hilarious Marc Spector returns for a season 2.
Cordial Exes
This particular Moon Knight moment from Bendis’ Moon Knight Vol. 4 #4 doesn’t even have him in the flesh, and yet it’s still a great display of his camaraderie with Spider-Man. Peter’s complete nonchalance in responding with “little bit” to a legitimate question is peak Spider-Man quipping.
There are also some layers to the joke because Spider-Man has dated two of the people in that same room. It goes to show how quick-witted Spider-Man is and also makes fun of Moon Knight’s love life at the same time.
Moon Knight Has No Friends
Moon Knight is your typical Bruce Wayne/CW Arrow type, a gritty anti-hero who hides his identity to protect the people he loves. Marc wears the mask to become a symbol of fear and make criminals shake in their boots.
In Jed MacKay’s Moon Knight #4 (2021), Tigra doesn’t care about any of that. She immediately breaks Moon Knight’s illusion and the fact that having a secret identity is pointless because nobody cares who he is. It’s a rather subtle but crucial fact that Moon Knight doesn’t have loved ones who want to be around him.
Follow My Lead
In one of Moon Knight’s rare brushes with the cosmic during Infinity Wars #3, he tags along with the Avengers to meet with Gamora, who is a lot less friendly than the last time any of them saw her. In typical Moon Knight fashion, he completely spaces out.
Spider-Man, being the friendly neighborhood exposition, catches him up to speed. Moon Knight still having no idea what any of this cosmic nonsense is makes it even more of a funny bit. Finally, Spider-Man just speaks to Marc in a language he understands: punching things.
Moon Knight Has No Chill
One of the most famous Moon Knight s that aren’t fake ones where he’s looking for Dracula and ketamine. In The Punisher #14 (2019), Marc Spector meets with Frank Castle, the other local crazy vigilante in New York. The venom between the two of them is immediately palpable.
Despite having the same goals and philosophies on criminals, they hate each other. Moon Knight’s final line is something that goes so far past tactful that it circles back around to being funny. It’s blunt and insensitive, for sure. However, that’s what you get when you make two blunt and insensitive vigilantes trade insults.
