Moon Knight’s god Khonshu has weird comic roots and a voice actor legend

Moon Knight on Disney Plus has plenty of characters making their first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — and not just because the superhero has multiple personalities. An audience member is getting to meet the Bird-Headed Khonshu, a Marvel Comics favourite.

Moon Knight’s all-white outfit may give him a stylish look, but his fashion sensibility comes from the patron of his art, the goddess of the Moon.

Image: Jeff Lemire, Greg Smallwood/Marvel Comics

Inaugurated in Moon Knight #1, Khonshu has been a part of Marc Spector’s story since the moment he was given a proper origin. Marvel Comics depicts Khonshu, along with the rest of his pantheon living in an extra-dimensional dimension that cannot be directly affected by Earth. So, for millions of years, he has chosen mortal avatars — Moon Knights — to enact his will.

As you may have noticed, his godly portfolio also includes the moon. He has, however, at different times in Egyptian history had control over time, fertility and healing. But in Marvel Comics, after the moon, his godly mission is vengeance, and being a guardian of “travelers in the night,” a very convenient mandate to give to a vigilante who is usually seen patrolling the dark streets of New York City.

Also, as you’ve probably noticed, Khonshu has a bird head. Which bird is it? In ancient Egyptian iconography, Khonshu, the Egyptian deity, was depicted sometimes with the head and feathers of a falcon. The modern Marvel Comics Khonshu often sports a raven-like, large beak. This is just like the one found in Moon KnightOn Disney Plus), likely because it is cool and creepy. Sometimes the Khonshu of Marvel Comics appears in robes and wrappings, and sometimes just in a nice modern suit — but he always has the bird skull head, floating free above his shoulders.

Mohamed Diab, Director of Moon Knight’s first episode, told Polygon that bringing Khonshu’s comic book design to the screen was a collaborative process. “We had an Egyptologist […]He was in charge of ensuring authenticity. [but]We still had plenty of creativity. […]His appearance kept changing and improving. The connection between his look and the suits of Marc or Steven was crucial. They are inspired by Khonshu and their suits come from their imaginations. […] It’s the mix of the of the two of them together.”

Image: Marvel Studios

Image: Marvel Studios

Keeping the character’s spooky floating skull head was a no-brainer to the folks behind Moon KnightAlthough a facially expressive character was difficult to perform, this proved possible. Luckily, Diab told Polygon, “We had a performer, Karim El Hakim, an actor on board doing every movement, and then we were blessed with F. Murray Abraham to do the voice — and oh my god, he brought a lot.”

Khonshu’s appearances in the first episode of Moon KnightAlthough he was more scary than substance, fans can still expect more from him over the course of the six-episode series.

“Khonshu is such an interesting character,” Diab told Polygon, “a flawed guy. You don’t know if he’s a villain, or if he’s a good guy. I thought if we played our cards well, people were going to fall in love with him.”