Announced by the LA Times today – just in time for Thought Bubble, bless ’em – is the news that Marvel will be launching a new Moon Knight series next year with writer Warren Ellis, artist Declan Shalvey, and colourist Jordie Bellaire.
A ground level series focusing on “weird crime”, Ellis describes the appeal of the character as:
The man is demented in more interesting ways than I think Batman ever was. [His] cape is actually a crescent moon and he goes out only at night and dresses in reflective white so you can see him coming. Now that’s nuts…. I like that.
Moon Knight has appeared in a number of critically-acclaimed solo titles over the last few years, from creators including Charlie Huston, Alex Maleev, Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch. He’s a popular – although cult classic, not best-seller – character, and one editor Steve Wacker seems to have a special affection for.
The new series will move Marc Spector back to New York, away from the lights of LA.
Issue #1 will be out in 2014.
Oh, boy! A new Moon Knight series! Wow, isn’t that just SO original………..oh wait.
Geez, how many series does this make for Moonie now, not to mention several other Marvel characters. Marvel’s business plan these days seems to consist of flogging a dead horse, bringing it back to life via electroshock therapy, re-killing the horse, and commence flogging it once again. Hey, Marvel, howsabout trying something different for a change?
I give it 12 issues, max.
1. Is that supposed to be Moon Knight or The Rose with Pac Man on his forehead?
2. As somebody smarter than me once pointed out, Moon Knight is a great costume in search of a decent character. I doubt Ellis will be anymore successful at that than others. Not that there haven’t been some great MK stories, but he’s really not up to the taks of sustaining an ongoing series.
Mike
After Warren Ellis’ stellar but far too short run on SECRET AVENGERS, I’m definitely in for him writing a MOON KNIGHT series. And even if the series doesn’t last past twelve issues, that’s twelve issues of MOON KNIGHT worth reading.
You can write great stories with ANY character – see Daredevil, who now has a rich history, but before Miller got involved was heading for cancellation and read like Spidey-lite. Ellis is capable of writing great stuff, so promising. Finally, Marvel goes back to this well b/c it’s cheaper and easier to re-launch a brand than start from zero & also, maybe no agreement to pay royalties to creators (?).
It’s silver. His costume is silver.
…white…. -shakes head-
Moon Knight should be the Batman of the Marvel Universe, plain and simple. Writers make it too complicated.
There is nothing but goodness in this article. MK is my favorite character and I’m more excited about this book than I have been any comic for a helluva long time.
Thank You, Marvel!
That would be a fine way to describe Moonie, if Batman wasn’t still around.
I think that one reason they keep trying with Moonie over and over again is that he can look great in artwork. People in Marvel Editorial see that and think, “Damn, he looks good! All we need now is a good writer!” But he’s a character with nowhere to go, mostly because he is just a variation on Batman. He might have a better future as an action figure.
SRS
12 issues at a time of Moon Knight is JUST FINE as long as they’re a good 12 issues. The myth that comics have to run for 100+ issues to be successful has been blasted to bits — seriously, why are you still clinging to it?!
It’s unlikely Ellis will write this for any more than a year or two. Why not just enjoy the ride?
I don’t think that he is going to “work” as long as Marvel are going to push him as Marvel’s version of Batman. There are like 10 monthly books published with actual Batman, why would I want to read a variation if I can get real deal?
He should be his own character, not a variation of Batman.
Sounds like a series with great potential to me…a great writer who gets the character’s appeal, a great artist, and a weird crime premise that suits the character well. I’m a little bummed that Ellis is eliminating the multiple personality aspect of the character (the fact that he was bug-nuts was one of the things I always found appealing about him, especially as it got played up more and more over the years), but I think he can still work without it. Looking forward to checking this out!
“And even if the series doesn’t last past twelve issues, that’s twelve issues of MOON KNIGHT worth reading.”
Hear, hear, Mr. Skaggs! The truth, at last.
As Mr. Skaggs also points out, Mr. Ellis’s run on SECRET AVENGERS was a blast (and I say this as someone who rarely enjoys the work of Mr. Ellis), particularly his handling of Moon Knight. And for those of you who think MK should be Marvel’s Batman, well, in Mr. Ellis’s hands, he IS, if by “Batman” you mean “batshit crazy.” This should be fun.
Stupid comments like 30% of Marvel and DC books never “take” and become truly on going series. But they still keep coming back I’m talking about you Defenders, Heroes for Hire, Freedom Fighters and sadly now LOSH…. Do you think the companies should just say screw it and let the licenses lapse? Oh wait a second DC just decided to have over half of the books they publish be directly tied to the Superman / Batman families.
Also MK is not Batman never has been not even remotely Batman pretty sure he is some Egyptian god inspired werewolf fighter, and the last thing comics need is more Batman.
@ Whatever – why would the licenses lapse if they don’t publish them for a while? Isn’t copyright like, 75 years or something now? They can rest characters/concepts and bring them back when there’s a good critical or sales reason to do so, ala Marvel and Thor.
Mbunge: “As somebody smarter than me once pointed out, Moon Knight is a great costume in search of a decent character.”
Actually, he’s a great character in search of a great creative team. Heidi didn’t bother to mention Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz — strange since she was all excited about moderating a panel with Bill Sienkiewicz just a few weeks ago. The character found his niche in the direct-sales-only market. After other writers and illustrators took over, no one seemed to have a solid grasp on the character, much like when Frank Miller departed Daredevil. The non-super-powered character in comics does not fare well with most creative teams, alas.
hsssh says: “There are like 10 monthly books published with actual Batman, why would I want to read a variation if I can get real deal?”
Why bother reading Batman at all when you can purchase the licensed reprints of THE SHADOW and get the REAL real deal?
When people compare Moon Knight to Batman, I don’t believe they really meant that he’s basically Batman in a different costume (which he’s not).
Zach, A fair point but I don’t see anyone clamoring for MK anytime soon. Would you notice if it wasn’t published? He has no fan base like Thor. I thought that was the whole reason they just rolled out the New Universe or whatever characters to keep the licenses fresh. Any way Ellis is a good enough reason if he wrote the ingredients for Heinz Ketchup I would take a look.
Rich Harvey – Heidi didn’t write this article!
“Actually, he’s a great character in search of a great creative team. Heidi didn’t bother to mention Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz”
1. Moench and Sienkiewicz’s Moon Knight stories did kick all kinds of ass.
2. A great character doesn’t need a great creative team. Somebody brought up Daredevil but the truth is that DD is a great character, as evidenced by all the good stories done with him since Miller. On the other hand, how many Moon Knight stories outside M+S have really been worth a damn.
Mike
DD is a great character, but he still needs a great creative team. Look at Andy Diggle’s run.
MBunge: “On the other hand, how many Moon Knight stories outside M+S have really been worth a damn.”
Hardly any … but the same thing happens with Daredevil. You get a creative team in sync with him, followed by a team that just tries to make him a superhero all over again. If Moench and Sienkiewicz can make him a great character, why can’t anyone else? Just watch how everyone tries to take the character in directions that just dont work.
I agree. Keep it simple. The best Mk stories are the one that are short and direct. Like his one shots. “Silent knight” comes to mind this time of year. Those ate good stories.
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