Khonshu (Marvel)
Khonshu is a male comic character who features in Marvel Comics.
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Biography
Khonshu
One account claimed that he was the adopted son of the god Amon-Ra. (Moon Knight v1 #188) Knull claimed that Khonshu was an elder shadow who was dressed up in local legend. (King in Black: Black Knight v1 #1)
Khonshu and Ra were said to had warred against each other for millenia having been reborn again and again through earthly avatars. On each case, Khonshu was noted to had beaten Ra in every instance. (Moon Knight v1 #190)
The god's influence was felt by humanity as far back as one million years ago where he helped guide them on the path to development. During this time, his mortal followers that became his fists were known to fought against a team of primordial superheroes led by Odin. Khonshu was also there when the first Celestial came to Earth where the disease ridden being infected the newborn world. From his perch, he saw that infection spread across the world and also saw the Star Brand comet nearly purge it from the cosmos. The Heliopian even saw the rise in worship of the Asgardians by the surviving humans that came to populate the Earth. Khonshu was said to helped guide mankind during the long night in their evolution. (Avengers v8 #35)
In 2,490BC, the West Coast Avengers were struck down in time by Rama-Tut during their attempt to get home. Khonshu sought the aid of the Avengers against Rama-Tut and shielded their identities from him. (West Coast Avengers v2 #20)
While Khonshu possessed Moon Knight during the hero's time with the West Coast Avengers, Khonshu was often shown as a largely benevolent god who wanted to assist the team. He was at times shown to be conflicted as to whether he should reveal his powers and what was worthy of it. He was able to effortlessly resist being controlled by the mutant The Voice.
Moon Knight volume #4 initially treats Khonshu in a rather different way, portraying him as a harsh and unforgiving god of vengeance who is strengthened by the fear that his avatar inspires. Accordingly, he is quite prepared to manipulate Marc Spector's allies and enemies in order to revive Moon Knight's career, and is highly critical of Spector. As with many Moon Knight stories, the line between reality and hallucination is sometimes intentionally blurred, but aspects of the art and story do strongly suggest that Khonshu's actions are entirely real. Khonshu also appears as a statue, but primarily converses with Moon Knight in the mutilated form of the Bushman, a villain who was killed when Spector carved off his face. Khonshu calls this his 'greatest work.' Moon Knight eventually breaks the influence of Khonshu, seeing the god as a scale in line with a cockroach.
Afterwards, Khonshu was beset by visions of a dark future that was traced to the demon Mephisto that would bring ruin to the world. The nightmares he experienced were felt by his champion Marc Spector who came to believe that the unrest he felt was the god attempting to manipulate him again. He pursued the Cult of Khonshu and travelled to Egypt in order to confront the moon god. Upon entering Khonshu's chamber, he was shocked to find the god begging to be killed as the horrors he saw were too great. However, Moon Knight decided to aid Khonshu in protecting the world where he determined that his champion needed more power. Thus, he began to attack various heroes to claim their power with this including taking the Eye of Agamotto from the Sorcerer Supreme, the chi of the Iron Fist Danny Rand and even the power of the Spirit of Vengeance from the Ghost Rider Robbie Reyes. With these, he broke through the barriers of the Hotel Inferno where the Moon Knight freed and then executed Mephisto. Despite the threat eliminated, Khonshu's visions did not desist and he determined that perhaps other versions of the demon existed where they enacted his scheme. Thus, Khonshu decided that the only way to save the world was if he prepared it by force and thus through his champion, his followers and his army of undead did he take over the world. This led to the beginning of the Age of Khonshu where pyramids were built at sites of power where his forces prepared for the coming danger. A result of this was the rise of a police state that shutdown any resistance and looked to capture the Avengers who opposed Khonshu. (Avengers v8 #34) Despite this control, the visions of a burning Earth were still experienced by Khonshu who decided that he needed more power and thus sought the cosmic might of the Star Brand that had chosen a new born baby as its wielder. (Avengers v8 #35)
Overview
Personality and attributes
He was noted for being the God of the Moon. (Moon Knight v1 #188)
Respect and adoration were said to be things that Khonshu craved from mortals. (Avengers v8 #35)
He prided himself in being the protector of travellers in the night. (Moon Knight Annual v2 #1)
It was said that vampires were sworn enemies of the Fist of Khonshu as they would strike their victims in the night which was Khonshu's domain. (Moon Knight v9 #3)
Powers and abilities
He was described as being an ultraterrestrial intelligence. (Moon Knight v9 #2)
With his power, he was able to empower his agents to manipulate objects made out of moonrocks and also allow them to steal the powers of others where it stored them inside Ankhs. (Avengers v8 #33)
Unable to enter the Earthly plane, Khonshu picked countless champions throughout history to work as an avatar that were guided by his will. (Moon Knight v1 #190) Chief among his servants were warriors holding the title of the Fist of Khonshu where one served as the Moon Knight and the other as the Hunter Moon. During their ordination, a chorus was heard that imparted the memories of Khonshu's previous Fists into the mind of the new champion. Thus, the new Fist of Khonshu was able to fight with the moves, skill and prowess of the previous bearers. (Moon Knight v9 #3)
Notes
- Khonshu was created by Doug Moench where he made his first appearance in Moon Knight v1 #1 (November, 1980)
- The character was loosely based on the Egyptian deity Khonsu.
- In Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica v1 #1 (2009), Khonshu received an entry in the guide book in the Heliopolitans' entry.
Alternate Versions
- In Universe X, it was suggested that Uatu the Watcher who lives on the Moon was the original inspiration for the Egyptian moon god Khonshu.
- In Secret Wars Journal v1 #1 (2015), a version of Khonshu appeared on Battleworld in the realm of Egyptia. This Khonshu was female in form and ruled as Baroness of her realm with the Mutants in Egyptia resenting her due to living as slaves that built her pyramids. Khonshu was protected by a group of loyal Moon Knights that were her devotees. A group of Mutants attempted to revolt against her but were attacked by Man-Wolves.
In other media
Television
- In Moon Knight, Khonshu appeared in the setting of the live-action television series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe where his motions were performed by actor Karim El-Hakim and voiced by actor F. Murray Abraham.
Video games
- In Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Khonshu appeared in the video game as an alternate costume for Moon Knight during the time Marc Spector's body was inhabited by the god.
- In Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Khonshu was mentioned by Moon Knight when he encountered the player. He called him the god of the moon and the taker of vengeance who guided Moon Knight to exact vengeance on those deserving.
- In Marvel Heroes, Khonshu was referenced in the setting of the MMORPG video game with their being an artefact called the Idol of Khonshu where the description said that the servant of Khonshu was a bringer of vengeance.
Appearances
- Moon Knight v1: (1980)
- West Coast Avengers v2:
- Moon Knight v8:
- Avengers v8: (2020)
- Moon Knight v9: (2021)
External Links
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