Last issue, Marc Spector took a desperate gamble, apparently attacking a UN diplomat to break up a complicated plot involving assassins, a very unusual psychiatrist, and Khonshu apparently choosing a new mortal agent.  “Rendered” shows Spector in an anonymous holding facility, going through the routine of his cell, an exercise space, and some kind of interview.  All the staff we see are wearing white, featureless masks. 

Marc also has an ongoing debate with Khonshu, which the security staff, of course, can’t see.  On the one hand, the moon god seems quite content with its new agent, but on the other, he’s goading Spector into action. It’s not the most action-packed issue, but it shows Marc being methodical as he tries to figure out where he’s been taken by the government.  There’s a nicely maintained tension throughout the story.  It ends with Spector finding out exactly what the prison is, and ending up in a fair amount of danger because of it.

Plot: I’ll give this a 3 out of 5.  It was a slow-paced, tension building piece with a good cliffhanger.

Art: The art is overall very good.  I don’t like the current design of Khonsh, but that’s not necessarily the artist’s doing.  I’m not wild about the way he draws faces, either.  I’ll give the art a 2.5 out of 5.

Positives: I’ve been enjoying the whole run of this volume of Moon Knight.  A lot of people dropped it after the creative team change after the first six issues, which I found unfair.  The current story with Khonshu selecting a new agent is a different spin which I’m enjoying.

Negatives: The art has some issues, as I said above.  The cliffhanger needs to be handled carefully, because it’s something that Spector doesn’t seem like he should be able to resolve on his own.

I’ve always liked Moon Knight, and I’m glad Marvel has given him another chance.  He’s a character with a lot of potential, and this run is going in some new and interesting directions.

Moon Knight 11

Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Greg Smallwood
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover: Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire