Warning – Spoilers for Phases of the Moon Knight (2024) #1 ahead!
When considering Luna Knight’s Greatest enemies, most would not count the omega-level mutant Apocalypse Among their number. But in the new anthology series, Phases of the Moon Knight (2024)Not only do readers see why Honshu holds a grudge against Apocalypse, but also how the rivalry fits into a decades-old Marvel plot hole.
Benjamin Percy and Rod Rice “Crusader” is the second story in Phases of the Moon Knight (2024). Here, the moon god Khonshu chooses an English soldier who was conscripted in the Crusades as his champion to strike down a tyrant rising to power in the heart of Egypt. The catch is, the tyrant is none other than En Sabah Noor aka Apocalypse.
Despite the power of Apocalypse, he is ultimately outmatched by the power of Honshu. Although the battle takes an entire evening, Apocalypse is decapitated and defeated – Marking a critical juncture in Marvel’s history.
Moon Knight’s patron reveals the crime of Marvel’s strongest mutant
The history of apocalypse in ancient Egypt is well chronicled in the Rise of Apocalypse (1996) Miniseries by Terry Kavanagh, James Felder, Adam Pollina, Anthony Williams, Al Milgrom, Mark Morales, Harry Candelario and Christian Lichtner. The series depicts Apocalypse’s rise to power from an outcast slave to one of the greatest warriors of his time, carving his mark through history. Other dives into the history of Apocalypse often depict him with Kong the Conqueror’s Rama-Tut aspect, as well as Marvel villains such as Mister Sinister and Dracula. The recons mean that at the time of his character’s origin in X Factor (1986)The character of Apocalypse Should He is a major historical figure – but is somehow missing from the world’s collective knowledge.
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The events of “Kreitsvider” go a long way to explain this gap. With such a meteoric rise to power, it would make sense that Egypt’s gods would notice apocalypse – especially with him poaching their worshippers. By empowering Moon Knight to defeat the young Apocalypse, Honshu does more than regain control of his worshipers: he also manages to separate Apocalypse from his own legend. This serves to dampen the impact Apocalypse could have on world history by the time Apocalypse is able to regenerate and return (the pyramid built in this issue is clearly Apocalypse’s tomb, where he canonically regenerates himself).
Honshu defeated Apocalypse in the Game of Gods
It’s a masterstroke of manipulation on Khonsu’s part: quashing an upstart power and cementing his own rule over Ancient Egypt. By the time Apocalypse can return, gather his forces and strike out into the larger world, the world no longer remembers the conquests of his younger self, miming his impact on history. The recon also explains why, on its debut, Apocalypse is an enigmatic figure in the shadows and not the lord over mutants he might have been – if not for moon night.
Phases of the Moon Knight (2024) #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.