#Arachknight 2099

[raphlsnts]

Arachknight: Across the Arachknight-verse

[templeofvengeance]

Khonshu would you take Miguel O'Hara as your avatar

This is because of that case of mistaken identity (@spiderman2-99) isn't it? He still doesn't quite have an explanation for that.

"Would I?" Khonshu says around a laugh like it's a joke. "Without question. No, he's far from the type I would normally seek, but that one has already dedicated himself to the role of a protector, on a multiversal scale. Admirable, for a human. ... Whether or not he still considers himself one." Khonshu did, but that was a different conversation.

"A Knight with the power to travel the multiverse? To punish the guilty and do what is needed, not just in one city, one world? The power I provide, combined with what he already has? Unstoppable." And also arguably the biggest barrier. A lot of the power Khonshu provided in exchange were things he already had to some degree-- strength, weaponry, advanced healing. It wasn't impossible. Even the superhuman fell into fatal situations at times. But it was unlikely. Still, a fun thing to think about.

[age-of-moonknight]

Hi! It's me again.

In light of the upcoming Ultimate Black Panther 2024 coming out in Feb, "In the wake of Ultimate Invasion", in which Khonshu and Ra are doing things and then are the bad guys.... I thought it a good theme to explore Moon Knight in alternate universes. ....To which I actually know very little about. But I bet you know stuff!

I've seen Moon Knight explored in things like Arachknight (love that outfit) and alternate timelines where he's imagined in different outfits, but what about in actual Marvel time lines like the Ultimate universe or 2099 (which he is also going to be featured in briefly).

How much has he shown up in those lines and can they even be called Moon Knight or just some guys in a Moon outfit?

Thank you so much for sending this my way, because oh ho ho this is something I'm so excited to answer! :D You hit the nail on the head though in regard to how "Moon Knight" is only sometimes our beloved system of Jake, Marc, and Steven and other times it's more of a title. Interestingly, I've noticed anecdotally that many non-616 continuities choose to invent an entirely new character as opposed to doing an alternate interpretation of our favorite guy. A majority of the time, however, they still maintain key facets of the Moon Knight mantle (devotion to Khonshu, for example, being prevalent). I'll break down the major ones (and some of my favorites) under the cut, because there are some really great ones imo. :D

Ultimates (Earth-1610)

I started here not only because you mentioned it specifically, but also because it's the non-616 continuity with the most Moon Knight material and it's possibly the closest parallel to 616's Moon Knight.

Ultimates Moon Knight appears in Ultimate Spider-Man (Vol. 1/2000), #79-80, #82-85, #107-110 and Ultimate Spider-Man Annual (Vol. 1/2006), #2.

He also makes some cameos in the Ultimate Fantastic Four (Vol. 1/2004), #52-53, Ultimate Origins (Vol. 1/2008), #5, and Cataclysm: The Ultimates' Last Stand (Vol. 1/2014), #5.

Sometimes I just think about this dude, because he's very recognizable as an analogue for 616!Marc Spector, but there are some major differences that receive frustratingly little expansion due to him only being a secondary character guest-appearing in a Spider-Man comic. One difference right off the bat is that it seems in this iteration the Marc and Steven identities are swapped, with Marc being the debonair millionaire frequently used as a cover identity and Steven as the scruffy operator.

[Ultimate Spider-Man (Vol. 1/2000), #83.]

The other big change, in my opinion at least, appears to be an attempt at more purposefully incorporating in and acknowledging the system's DID, whereas 616 pretty notoriously meandered its way through "nah, they're just cover identities" to "he contracted 'multiple identities' after doing those cover identities Too Hard" (???? Yike?) to finally landing on something a bit more understanding and respectful. The success of 1610's attempt at mental health representation probably depends upon your opinion on Brian Michael Bendis as a writer. An honest attempt was made, but it's definitely not free of the now very dated term "multiple identity disorder" or of stereotypes, with one headmate being a little girl and the whole system being threatened by an encroaching "evil" alter developed as a cover identity (which happens to be "Ronin," another wild little element of this universe) and subsequently going off the rails.

[Ultimate Spider-Man (Vol. 1/2000), #108.]

Markedly, I don't recall catching a reference to Khonshu during my read-through of these comics, which is inline with Ultimates' more "grounded" approach to characters, ig. In any case, almost all of 1610!Moon Knight's background is jampacked into a single panel (that consequently frustrates me to no end hahaha):

[Ultimate Spider-Man (Vol. 1/2000), #108.]

While some of this makes sense for Ultimates' whole deal of updating characters (Gulf War vet and Navy SEAL being more relevant to the 2000's than the very 70's background of globe-trotting mercenary selling his services to any insurgency that will pay,,,,although I shall keep my opinions on SEALs to myself asldkfij), from what I recall, however, they NEVER bring up the fact that this guy is a failed super soldier ever again? Nor the Roxxon connection??? But he (or rather Ronin) does drive a bus into Peter Parker's high school, gets domed by Kingpin's goons, survives (naturally), and is quite helpful in the case to take down Kingpin, so there's that. He's also responsible for some of my favorite panels of all time.

[Ultimate Spider-Man (Vol. 1/2000), #80.]

[Ultimate End (Vol. 1/2015), #5]

(technically that last one's from Earth-61610, a fusion of Earth-616 and Earth-1610, but it's the panel I always think about whenever trying to parse out how Ultimates and the main continuity came together hahaha)

2099

The other continuity you mentioned by name and an interesting one because apparently there are multiple continuities associated with "2099." None of them have a "Marc Spector" (may that be because he's resting in peace after dying of old age aslkdfj), but there are some other options. Something that fascinates me though, is that none of these options come from Miguel O'Hara's home continuity of Earth-928 and most of them are women.

Moon Knight of Earth-96943

I did a post on her character here and personally I think she's rather neat. She only really pops up in 2099: Manifest Destiny (Vol. 1/1998), #1, but she beats up opportunistic capitalists on the moon and tells the Watcher what's good, so again, I think she's pretty cool (and I love how all of her speech bubbles have crescent moons).

Tabitha, Moon Knight of Earth-TRN590

[Spider-Man 2099 (Vol. 3/2015), #14]

Otherwise known as Tabby (!), this "2099" Moon Knight actually got to meet Miguel and appears in Spider-Man 2099 (Vol. 3/2015), #14-16 (similarly, I expand upon her character here). She's another case of a character fairly firmly relegated to the "supporting" category, but when she does get some panel time, it's a lot of fun, as she has that pretty classic Peter David wit and a big ol' sword that she uses to exorcise a demon out of Doctor Strange (and subsequently banishes it to the moon).

[Spider-Man 2099 (Vol. 3/2015), #14]

Moon Knight of Earth-2099 (....not to be confused with Earth-928)

[Spider-Man 2099: Exodus (Vol. 1/2022), #3.]

This one is an....exceedingly interesting case, more thoroughly detailed here. After making a one panel reference to the Moon Knight temple guardian of Earth-96943 (and implying she died RIP sounds fake but okay), Spider-Man 2099: Exodus (Vol. 1/2022), #3 and Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Omega (Vol. 1/2022), #1 establishes this new Moon Knight as the leader of a new team of Avengers. But you have to watch out, because this Moon Knight is also just straight up Khonshu animating a corpse.

[Spider-Man 2099: Exodus (Vol. 1/2022), #3.]

Those times when the timeline got kind of screwy (so 616!Marc,,,,kind of????)

There are some instances where 616!Marc got caught up in those kinds of situations where everyone gets thrust into an alternate time line or a timeline that was erased for whatever reason, his involvement in which pretty much solely being due to him being an active Avenger at the time.

House of M (Earth-58163)

Marc is technically in House of M (Vol. 1/2006), #3-7, but he's only there to stand in the background of group shots wearing a fit so generic even I have worn it. BUT, however, it turns out House of M: Avengers (Vol. 1/2008), #1-5 fleshes out his character's background in this reality and explains why he gave up the iconic white threads.

[House of M: Avengers (Vol. 1/2008), #2.]

[House of M: Avengers (Vol. 1/2008), #1.]

[House of M: Avengers (Vol. 1/2008), #5.]

(imo, I mean, look I know it was the 2000's and simple/leather jacket "costumes" were in, but the reason provided was NOT good enough for putting him in the most boring fit possible, but that's just me alskdfj Further note, looks like I uuuuuh missed the House of M: Avengers comics on my initial readthrough so I shall probably loop back around to those some point soon)

Age of Ultron (Earth-61112)

Found in Avengers Assemble (Vol. 2/2012), #14AU and Age of Ultron (Vol. 1/2013), #2, #4-5, the mental health representation isn't always the greatest, but otherwise, there's a lot I'm fond of in these issues. Natasha Romanoff is much more firmly "the main character" with Marc supporting her, but you will definitely get no complaints on that on this here blog. This reality basically boils down to "Natasha and Marc are a criminally underrated duo that could probably destabilize juntas if they chose to do so" and it's great.

[Age of Ultron (Vol. 1/2013), #2.]

[Age of Ultron (Vol. 1/2013), #2.]

Other Continuities (Where Marc Actually Shows Up)

Earth-X (Earth-9997)

This one haunts me???? Because it's one of the earliest examples I can recall of really digging into the irony of a Jewish man serving an Egyptian god as well as artfully discussing that unique tension within Marc of "alive but only just/not really" AND gives Marlene some fascinating development....all within the pages of a special event the plot of which I honestly couldn't explain to you if I tried.

[Universe X (Vol. 1/2000), #6.]

But if you want to check it for yourself (and see if your reading comprehension is better than mine hahaha), this Moon Knight shows up in Universe X (Vol. 1/2000), #0, #6-7, #10-11; Paradise X Special Edition (Vol. 1/2000), #1; Paradise X (Vol. 1/2000), #0 and #11; Paradise X: Devils (Vol. 1/2000), #1; Paradise X: A (Vol. 1/2000), #1; and Paradise X: X (Vol. 1/2000), #1 (and if you're wondering, yes, I did lose a few braincells typing all that out).....but this guy does get a cool color inverse suit!

[Universe X (Vol. 1/2000), #6.]

Battleworld (Earth-51910)

Or at least, I'm pretty sure this is Marc although we only get the last name of Spector. Anyway, amidst the Beyonders’ and Doctor Doom’s shenanigans in Secret Wars Journal (Vol. 1/2015), #1, Spector here lost his faith in "Baroness Khonshu," but at least his design is dope as all get out.

Also, he's a werewolf.

[Secret Wars Journal (Vol. 1/2015), #1.]

Heroes Reborn (Earth-21798)

The "Marc Spector" who is presented in Heroes Reborn (Vol. 2/2021), #5 and #7 as the sort of Hush and Two-Face to Darkhawk's Batman frankly sort of leaves a bad taste in my mouth, as he's straight up described as a "schizo who worshipped the moon" and is generally just a violent criminal who ends up in Ravencroft (...not great in the slightest, all around honestly). Accordingly, the only redeeming quality of this alternate is the DOPE costume he gets when he ends up on this continuity's equivalent of the Dark Avengers.

[Heroes Reborn (Vol. 2/2021), #7.]

Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again (Earth-TRN664)

Oh goodness, please don't make me talk about this comic again; thinking about it Hurts Me. Fairly well executed but so incredibly tragic. Mr. Knight is fantastically sympathetic and a brilliant detective and it all ends horribly. If you want to read Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again (Vol. 1/2017), #1-3, godspeed.

[Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again (Vol. 1/2017), #2.]

Other Moon Knight Variants

These are some honorable mentions that I'll just have to link my posts for, because I unfortunately have pretty much hit the image limit RIP.

Mariama Spector of Earth-818

Battleworld Frank Castle as Moon Knight

And finally, since I loved the phrase you used of "just some guys in a Moon outfit," I present the ultimate "just some guy in a Moon outfit":

Friggin "Moonwing" of Earth-9602

When Moon Knight got the Amalgam comics treatment, he got mashed up with Nightwing of all characters in Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Vol. 1/1996), #1, as detailed here. Basically, they just gave Dick Grayson a past in the CIA and DID, leaving the whole moon motif a bit of a mystery.

(Amalgam Comics Trading Cards, #8.)

Naturally, there are some variants I didn't mention here. Moon Knight pops up in quite a few non-616 continuities, but most of the time he's just in the background of large group shots and/or action scenes and doesn't have any lines or contribute anything to the plot. Accordingly, I attempted to include just the iterations with the most material that were expressly from different timelines (which is why I didn't include all of the historical Moon Knights from the 2019 Moon Knight Annual or Moon Knight Ravonna who are also from Earth-616). But yeah! I hope this is of interest to someone out there or at least somewhat vaguely answered your question hahaha thanks again!

[themarvelettesgreatesthits]

[why-i-love-comics]

Secret Warps: Ghost Panther Annual #1 - “Days of Future Mars” (2019)

written by Al Ewing art by Carlos Gomez & Carlos Lopez

[omniversecomicsguide]

Coming from a stark future to drown in spiders in our present. Spider-Man 2099 struggles to survive in SPIDER-VERSE (2015)

MORE: Spider-Verse - - - Artist: Francesco Mattina From: Spider-Man 2099 #8 Featuring: Spider-Man 2099 of Earth-928 (with 'Spider-Man Noir',  ArachKnight, Ben Reilly, Cosmic Spider-Man, Symbiote Spider-Man & Miles Morales, among others)

[biggoonie]

SECRET WARPS TPB

Written by AL EWING, MARK WAID, TIM SEELEY, DANIEL KIBBLESMITH, JIM ZUB & TINI HOWARD Penciled by CARLOS GOMEZ, CARLOS VILLA, ALEX LINS, BOB QUINN, IG GUARA, CARLO BARBERI & ARIO ANINDITO Cover by CARLOS GOMEZ The mashed-up heroes of INFINITY WARPS return! When villains Madame Hel, Red Dormammu and Stane Odinson work together to cause a rift between Iron Hammer and Soldier Supreme, it leads to a crisis across space-time that brings together Weapon Hex, Ghost Panther, Arachknight and more to save their reality from cosmic calamity! The forces of Hell invade the streets of New York City! The cursed, stunt-riding king of Wakanda fights Martians in the year 2099! Arachknight’s world collides with the New Supreme Universe, home of the Supreme Seven! And as strange new amalgamations take shape, can even Ghost Hammer change things back to normal? Plus: More mighty, uncanny tales of the warped warriors! Collecting SECRET WARPS: SOLDIER SUPREME ANNUAL #1, WEAPON HEX ANNUAL #1, GHOST PANTHER ANNUAL #1, ARACHKNIGHT ANNUAL #1 and IRON HAMMER ANNUAL #1. 200 PGS./Rated T+ …$19.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-91776-0

[hellyeahheroes]

SECRET WARPS: SOLDIER SUPREME ANNUAL #1   AL EWING & MARK WAID (W) CARLOS GOMEZ & ALEX LINS  (A) Cover by CARLOS GOMEZ Connecting Variant Cover by CARLOS PACHECO “SECRET WARPS,” PART 1 – ACTS OF WAR! • As the villains of Warp World trade foes, it begins a rift between Soldier Supreme and Iron Hammer that could tear the super hero community in half! • But could this criminal conspiracy be the portent of a much bigger cosmic calamity? • PLUS: A bonus tale of Soldier Supreme versus Baroness Umar for the fate of our nation! 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

SECRET WARPS: WEAPON HEX ANNUAL #1 AL EWING & TIM SEELEY (W) CARLOS VILLA & BOB QUINN (A) Cover by CARLOS GOMEZ Connecting Variant Cover by CARLOS PACHECO “SECRET WARPS,” PART 2 – INFERNO ATTACKS! • Weapon Hex and Speed Weasel join the fight for Warp World as the forces of Hell invade the streets of New York City! • PLUS: A bonus tale of the spellbound sisters taking down a ferocious furry femme! 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

SECRET WARPS: GHOST PANTHER ANNUAL #1   AL EWING & DANIEL KIBBLESMITH (W) CARLOS GOMEZ & IG GUARA (A) Cover by CARLOS GOMEZ Connecting Variant Cover by CARLOS PACHECO “SECRET WARPS,” PART 3 – DAYS OF FUTURE MARS! • The stunt-riding cursed king of Wakanda, the Ghost Panther, heads to the far future…in the year 2099! Can he rally the inheritors of the legacy of his fellow heroes to defeat the Martian invaders? • PLUS: A bonus tale of T’Challa taking on creatures of the night alongside Knightblade! 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

SECRET WARPS: ARACHKNIGHT ANNUAL #1 AL EWING & JIM ZUB (W) CARLOS VILLA & CARLO BARBERI (A) Cover by CARLOS GOMEZ Connecting Variant Cover by CARLOS PACHECO “SECRET WARPS,” PART 4 – SUPREMEUNIVERSAL! • The web-spinning Arachknight finds himself out of the depth of all four of his personas as his own warped universe begins colliding with another — the New Supreme Universe, homes of the Supreme Seven! • PLUS: A bonus tale of ol’ AK trying to persuade the Terrific Two to become a Trio! 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

SECRET WARPS: IRON HAMMER ANNUAL #1 AL EWING & TINI HOWARD (W) • CARLOS GOMEZ & ARIO ANANDITO (A) • Cover by CARLOS GOMEZ Connecting Variant Cover by CARLOS PACHECO “SECRET WARPS,” PART 5 – SECRET WARPS! • Whatever has been causing worlds to smash together is out of control…and starts smashing Warp Worlds heroes into one another! • As the heroes begin turning into strange new amalgamations, can even Ghost Hammer turn things back to normal? • PLUS: A bonus tale of Sigurd Stark battling the twin wolves of addiction and Fenris the god devourer! 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

So we not only have return of Weapon Hex and Speed Wessel but also mashups of Marvel 2099 with 2020 and Killraven future as well as mashup of Squadron Supreme and New Universe. This is what events should be about, just dumb fun. Not killing characters to show off how dangerous villain is.

- Admin