REVIEW: ‘Moon Knight: City of the Dead,’ Issue #5

Moon Knight: City of the Dead #5 is published by Marvel, written by David Pepose, with pencils by Marcelo Ferreira, inks by Jay Leisten, colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, and letters by Cory Petit. In this latest issue, Moon Knight fights for a child’s soul in the City of the Dead, fighting against his own brother and the Legion of the Unliving.

This issue finishes a grueling, intense plot that has never sought to let up. The pace has been exhilarating as the hardcore action and violence give a grounded attitude to an adventure based on mythology. The final chapter of this journey through the underworld explores everything about Moon Knight at the grandest of stages, all revolving around his history, his villains, and his attitude. It’s a reflection of a life but filled with so much ferocity. The action keeps the blood flowing within the body of the story, but there is also a heart that centers around family and souls, with the whole reason why Marc enters the City of the Dead being to rescue a young boy’s soul. Which makes the ending a huge shock, grabbing the attention of a comic filled with chaos. 

Moon Knight: City of the Dead #5 has demonstrated the spectrum of Moon Knight’s personality, quite literally showing the split in all of the pieces that have made him a fascinating character. There is the fearsome, bloodthirsty vigilante within him, as one of the most ruthless fighters in the Marvel Universe. And through his identities have come different methods of doing so, all of which are represented in this last fight. He is also passionate and caring, broken by so much trauma and endless amounts of beating and death. And so it is wholesome and hopeful that he seeks to help a child hang on to life.

The other characters are also tremendous, with so many classic villains and heroes from the depths of Spector’s lore. Leading the line of his enemies is the Jackal Knight, who is actually his brother, Randall. The deceased brother and the use of the Legion of the Unliving creates an interesting parallel to Wonder Man and Grim Reaper, but solely with Moon Knight’s foes. The Scarlet Scarab has unlocked the sensitivity within Moon Knight. His lost love and his brother have both forced him to be more emotive than just impulse and rage

The art has been mesmerising and magnificent. For reasons pertaining to the plot, there are more variations to the Moon Knight costume within the last chapter, showing how the suit can differ and yet be instantly iconic. The fighting is physical and gritty with the intensity that the character often dictates, but there is much more within this book than street-level brawling. This is a book featuring the undead and the celestials, and all look phenomenal.

The powers and abilities are beyond anything Moon Knight usually faces, making the task look even bigger. The city is crumbling, but the macabre beauty of the Egyptian Underworlds is still captivating, although it is difficult to find time to bask in those details with the sheer amount of carnage unfolding in front of it. Even with the fantastic fantastical features, the dark and distressing moments are made to look demented and horrific, hammering their point home.

The colors are stunning. Usually, the stark, iridescent white of Moon Knight’s costume is the brightest thing on the page, but that is not the case in this issue. The sickly green is representative of Osiris’ power and is extremely unsettling. But there are other vibrant, unnatural colors that demonstrate how the characters are affecting the whole city. The lettering is outstanding, effectively balancing the caption boxes and word balloons. 

Moon Knight: City of the Dead #5 successfully wraps up an expansive personal story. While everything is all about Moon Knight’s family and his mission, so much more is done to explore the Egyptian underworld and wider mythology that exists beyond Marc Spector. The energy of the comic is consistent throughout, with an understanding of heavy metal action that befits the character. There is a sense of finality to the story, with a greatest hits of Spector’s supporting cast and an ending that could be conclusive if it wanted to be. But it is also easy to see where the avenues have been created to further the main series and even more beyond that. 

Moon Knight: City of the Dead #5 is available where comics are sold.