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[midnightmissionarchives]

Werewolf by Night Issue 33

Encryption status: decrypted

Opening files...

Now for the thrilling conclusion of Marc Spector's first ever appearance as he does battle with the fearsome werewolf, better known as, Jack Russell.

Let's dive in! This is a long one so buckle up!

When last we left off Marc was hoping to avoid the authorities after he had successfully subdued the beast...or so he thinks! (as if the cover of the comic doesn't give it away).

One thing I'd like to mention before getting in too deep. While Marc was fighting the werewolf near the end of the last issue, Frenchie had gone to locate Jack's sister. So like a gentleman...he lands on the roof of their building, kicks in the window, and asks Topaz and Lissa which one was which and if they didn't want to answer...they would both have to go with him. What a classy man.

Kinda makes me wonder if Marc planned to split the money with him...

I can ask the boss later.

Moving on!

Pretty funny how the police were shocked the caped weirdo with a helicopter didn't do as they were told and stopped trying to get away. I'm sure they weren't but...still.

You can really tell the kind of relationship Marc and Frenchie have by the way Marc sasses him.

Even back in his first appearance, Marc is pretty dramatic and sassy (don't tell him I said that...he might has the Mission get me stuck in a loop or something). He's just so clever with his words like "you stupid idiot".

Of course Jack is no idiot, the werewolf just doesn't like being captured and still is pretty angry at this weird guy that's been beating him up all night.

Moon Knight and the werewolf are thrown from the ladder and into the waters below, narrowly missing the pier. After exchanging a few blows under water, Marc manages to drag the, as he calls him, "mangy freak" up onto the dock. Now back on dry land, the werewolf takes his chance and goes for Moon Knight again.

With being so close to the water while trying to fight each other the two end up in the water a couple more times all while Marc tried to "pound" into the werewolf's head that he's to be taken alive. The last time Marc pulls himself from the water he struggles to catch his breath, but doesn't have much time as the werewolf is right behind him and has the Moon Knight at his mercy...but doesn't have a chance to reap his reward as the night slowly fades to the day causing him to turn back into the human, Jack Russell, right before Marc's eyes much to his disbelief.

Hearing someone approach, Marc thinks it might be the cops, but no it's a presumably homeless drunk that is just taking an unsteady stroll along the pier, leaving after advising Marc that him and his friend shouldn't be swimming in the polluted waters.

And you know what this absolute dork does? Now remember everyone, this version of Marc was merely a hired hand to hunt down the werewolf. He was told "wear this suit and call yourself this silly name when you go and get this monster", he does not at this time have any real attachments to any moon god or anything...

But this dork goes and says this...

This guy who's only been "Moon Knight" for what? Maybe 24hrs?? If that!! is saying things like "thank the moon". He lives for the drama and he is feeling this masked identity.

Even the committee guy is like, "wow, you've really committed to the bit haven't you?"

On a more somber note, a couple panels before we learn that due to the extensive damage Jack had done to his best friend, Buck, while he was the werewolf has unfortunately put him in a coma. He did wake briefly and muttered Jack's name as well as Button's mom's name, Elaine. Buck Elaine had apparently only been out on one date.

Now...back to the committee and Jack's fate...

The committee was indeed stalling all day because they were trying to wait until night time to see if Jack would transform. It's then we learn that the committee intends to use Jack as a sort of weapon when he's transformed into the werewolf to kill political/business rivals and really anyone else that would get in their way. And once they determine which of the girls is Jack's sister they intend to do the same with her, presumably.

Jack turns his attention to Moon Knight calling him out for his role in all this, asking him if he's shocked to find out he's just a normal guy the rest of the month. He then emphasizes his plight by saying that being a werewolf is a far worse cage then the bars he's currently trapped in. And with that, night falls and Jack is transformed yet again into the werewolf, much to the committee's shock, horror, and satisfaction.

But Marc doesn't seem to happy with his job well done...

Even from the very beginning, Marc has always had a good sense for what was right. Sure he's a mercenary doing odd jobs for money, but when faced with real injustice he can't seem to be content with just standing by and washing his hands of it.

So he unleashes the werewolf. As it turns out the werewolf only has one target in mind...the man who caused him so much pain...Moon Knight. But, Marc isn't going to go down so easily. Knocking a gun out of one of the frightened committee member's hands and dodging the werewolf, sending him flying into another committee member, Marc remembers the girls and how they're practically sitting ducks. With practiced aim, he throws his moonarangs, cutting them free and urges them to run to safety, ensuring that Jack would be fine.

Together, Moon Knight and the werewolf take out each member of the committee, including the fatso leader.

With that, issue 32 of Werewolf by Night comes to a close. Jack is off to do werewolf things, Marc pocketed 10 grand and got a cool new suit and moon obsession out of it. Overall, I'd call this a win.

Alright everyone. If you made through this file, you're a trooper. It was long for sure, but a lot of action and character related things happened in this issue that it was hard to trim the fat, so to speak.

I think with this issue we really start to get a better idea of the character "Marc Spector" that was taking shape, like a figure solidifying in the fog. In issue 32 we learned about who Marc was on a surface level, but in issue 33 we start to get more a sense of who he is. We get a sense that he's not some greedy meat head who's only driving force is money. He's someone that can and does care about innocent people and doing what's right and just. Jack was never really his enemy, he was just a target to be aquired and once Marc learned just what was instore for Jack, it just didn't sit right with him. And yeah, kidnapping Lissa and Topaz isn't a good look, but him and Frenchie had no intentions of hurting them and when the moment came Marc made sure they could get away to safety.

I'm interested to see how the character begins to grow and develop from here, especially once the "personas" (that's how they seemed at the time) of Jake and Steven get introduced.

Even this very rough simple form of "Marc Spector" is still a very complex character, or at least shows the great potential to be a complex character.

Thank you for joining me as we dive into the archives. Hope you enjoyed the read! We may skip around a bit with the next files that are being decrypted, maybe something a little more recent.

See you then!

[midnightmissionarchives]

Greetings, faithful congregation! After the poll is up we'll dig the files up on the winning vote (maybe first and second depending on how long it takes to decrypt the files) and see what we can find out about these formidable enemies the boss has come across in his many adventures!!

Really excited to see the results and would love to hear from you all about your own thoughts on the villains.

Until then! May the moon's light shine upon you!

Questionnaire for the Midnight Mission Congregation

Based on this Reddit Post.

Now I know we haven't had a lot of time to talk about a lot of these characters, but some of these names may sound familiar and others may send you off on your own investigation. But be careful, looking into enemies of Moon Knight may very well put a target on your back.

Let me know your thoughts!! Would love to hear from you!

[midnightmissionarchives]

Matt Murdock

Daredevil (2022)

[midnightmissionarchives]

Questionnaire for the Midnight Mission Congregation

Based on this Reddit Post.

Now I know we haven't had a lot of time to talk about a lot of these characters, but some of these names may sound familiar and others may send you off on your own investigation. But be careful, looking into enemies of Moon Knight may very well put a target on your back.

Let me know your thoughts!! Would love to hear from you!

[midnightmissionarchives]

Werewolf by Night Issue 32

Encryption status: decrypted

Opening files...

Alright first up we have the OG, the first appearance of the man we've come to know as Moon Knight. I'd like to start here so that we an see how he's grown and changed and developed over the years. Future files will probably skip around depending on which ones get decrypted first.

Anyway!

Honestly, not a bad read. Gives a little glimpse into Jack Russell and what life is like for him, but also provides us with essentially a rough draft for Marc (Mark) Spector and the character they were trying to develop. There are definitely some differences with how this version of Moon Knight is introduced, but that's the fun part!

This issue starts off with a bang! Literally. The werewolf and Moon Knight are duking it out in a New York alley.

Earlier, Jack had been on a trip with his best friend and unfortunately the full moon had other plans. Jack's friend jumped in the way as Jack went to attack a young girl named Buttons (files are unclear if that is the girls actual name or if it's a nickname). This tragically led to his friend ending up in critical condition in the hospital with doctors unsure if he'll pull through or if he'll stay in the coma. Guilt ridden and angry Jack punches the wall, which didn't help ease his lover, Topaz, or his sister's worried minds, before he leaves the hospital to go home to see his step father.

Now enters The Moon Knight. Or...more accurately Mr. Spector.

Minor detail, but one that I find humorous. The writers and editors couldn't seem to decide how to spell his first name, either with a K or a C because we see it both ways within issues 32 and 33.

Now as you can see, he might be wearing all white, but he was all about the green, taking the suit and rolling with it. Also worth noting that $10k back in 1975 is really close to $60k today. So when some weirdo "committee" asks you to put on a costume and call yourself some silly name all for $10k...you don't really say no.

This is a very different origin story than what we've come to know about this character. This version is not tied to any vengeful moon god or ancient order or anything mystical. He was just some gun for hire given an outfit and told to pretend. Very interesting origin. Could you imagine if they had kept with that?

So Marc dons the silvery/white suit and introduces himself to Jack as Moon Knight. Shortly after, the full moon works its magic on Jack causing him to flee as he transforms into the wolf causing Marc to pursue.

While Marc's name may have been inconsistent (as well as his feelings towards his hero name), one other character has been consistent since the beginning and that's...

Jean-Paul "Frenchie" Duchamp

Yes, faithful congregation, Frenchie has been with Marc since the very beginning. Now that's a good friend.

Now we come back to the present with the fight in the alley. A crowd watches as a werewolf and some guy in a white costume tussle in an alley. The crowd stands and watches the fight for a good while before being struck with the realization...

I'm just imagining these people literally standing there slack-jawed at the fantastical brawl happening before them and this guy just suddenly comes back to consciousness like he had been woken up from a trance.

Anyway.

Jack puts up a good fight, despite his hurt hand, but Moon Knight wins out in the end thanks to his arsenal of silver weaponry, armor specifically designed to fight werewolves, and his incredible resume of skills.

The issue comes to a close as the police arrive and Moon Knight is dragging an unconscious werewolf towards the rope latter of the helicopter because, as Marc so eloquently put it,

"Payday's just around the corner, and I'd rather kill this hairy monster----than let those cops cut me off from my bread."

Yes, Marc Spector said "I'm getting that bread." I love how phrases make their way back into social vocabulary.

This is a far cry from the Moon Knight we've come to know. What he stands for, who he is, his motivations, just a different person. But, getting to know this version of the man only helps us to understand and appreciate how far he's come. This Marc is laying down the foundation for every iteration after him. He might not be the mystically endowed Fist of Vengeance, but he's no wimp either. Strength, agility, skill, marksmanship, you name it this guy has it in spades. And he would need it in order to hold his own with a werewolf who has inhuman strength and speed. The way the wolf (regrettably) cuts down his friend and really anyone who stands in way show just how powerful he is in this form, but he didn't seem to be a match for Moon Knight (who admittedly had a slight advantage with those silver weapons). Granted he did get a few good hits in, but Marc wasn't down for long. Would things have been different if the wolf's hand wasn't broken? Probably not. It might have gone on a little longer, but Moon Knight would have still come out on top, but who knows!

Thank you for joining me as we dive into the archives. This is the first file we're uncovering from the archives so I hope you enjoyed the read.

[midnightmissionarchives]

Archival Records Designation

- Moon Knight -

Werewolf by Night Issue 32 - {decrypted}

Werewolf by Night Issue 33 - {decryption in process}

Moon Knight 2021-2023 MacKay run - {decryption in process}

[midnightmissionarchives]

reread lemire & smallwood’s moon knight … those issue covers slap so hard dude

[midnightmissionarchives]

Matt Murdock & Elektra Natchios

Daredevil (2022) #4

[midnightmissionarchives]

Midnight Mission Archives Directory

Moon Knight {decryption in process}

Daredevil {encrypted}

[midnightmissionarchives]

Welcome travelers of the night, to the Midnight Mission Archives.

Here at the Midnight Mission Archives, we'll dive deep into the encrypted files in Mr. Knight's database to review and discuss the events within. From the very beginning with his encounter with the infamous Werewolf by Night to recent events and perhaps even other heroes as well! Join me under the light of the moon and let's see what we can find.

A link to the archive's directory can be found here. It takes time to decrypt these files so be patient, all good things come to those who wait.