Moon Knight And The Magic Beer Can - Defenders

Moon Knight joins the Defenders sort of as Marvel Comics continued to try to find a direction for the character in the 70s. Marc Spector finds himself involved in an epic adventure to take down Scorpio alongside Hellcat, Valkyrie, Nighthawk and The Hulk. Do these issues help Moon Knight find a tone...they do not, but he does escape a death trap with a beer can! Find out how here on Casually Comics.
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[@JohnnyElRed]

Honestly, "he isn't a member of the Defenders, he just hangs around" could work for half the active rooster of the team at any given time. You know, the "no group" thing going on with them.

[@landreaulover]

Well, that's all it took to be a Defender. No, not a core member, but since they were a non-team, being a non-member actually counts! I enjoyed his inclusion.

[@michaelthomas5433]

Silver Surfer was on the team at one point.

[@JohnnyElRed]

@@michaelthomas5433 Not really. At least, not on the first numbers. Story goes that Stan Lee wanted to give the Silver Surfer his own solo title, but didn't wanted him to feature in a team group, because it would add a lot of history and complications to keep track off while writing it. So the writers of the Defenders at the time, simply decided to keep the Surfer popping in and out on the series as a "guest star". That way, they weren't wreaking Stan's rule. Because he technically wasn't part of the group.

[@jemhoare2105]

Active Rooster. What's his backstory? And why is there only half of him? Did he lose the other half to an evil fast food organization? I have so many questions and I can't find his entry in Marvel Universe.

[@AussieDragoon]

@@jemhoare2105 Darn, beat me to it. I too am a fan of the legendary ACTIVE ROOSTER!

[@lantztalksmanga]

Moon Knight is like the Houdini of Marvel. He can escape just about anything unless Konshu decides to mess with Marc. Like that time he let Bushman break both of Marc's legs. Epic prank Konshu, very cool.

[@CasuallyComics]

It's just a prank bro lol

[@jalengee8421]

Then his equivalent in DC is mister miracle

[@AussieDragoon]

Classic, Konshu used to have all the other Egyptian Gods in stitches with his hi-jinks.

[@SpaceJawa]

​@@AussieDragoon Konshu and Loki must either get along wonderfully, or else any time they cross paths their prank wars are the thing of legend of which all other members of the pantheons tremble in fear.

[@lindafreeman7030]

@SpaceJawa I don't see those as mutually exclusive.

[@GenerationWest]

"Elegantly Little" is usually a beautiful dress, but shows a lot of skin, so either bare arms, strapless, plunging neckline (maybe to the naval), open back, or a high skirt/long dress with sling slit. Revealing, yet classy... So not Moon Knight lol

[@ViccVegaa023]

Moreover it was the 70's so probably all those things at the same time, lol. Also, as a kid, I read that scene and took it at face value. Now as a adult, all I can think reading that scene now, is that Nighthawk was going to order up a Call Girl. I am not saying that was what the writers intended (tho I wouldn't put it past this book writers the way it was back then) but that's just how the scene reads to me now, lol.

[@GoatHeadWalletProdt]

“Careful man! There’s a beverage here!”- Moon Knight

[@KierTheScrivener]

They knew elegantly little about Moon Knight

[@MrAGrammar]

I assume that everything the Wasp wears is elegantly little.

[@rodneylindsey849]

I Like That 😎

[@user-nh1kj2ne2e]

All I gotta say is anyone who isn't scared to fist fight a werewolf gets my respect.

[@justanotherglorpsdaymornin5097]

This reads like Marc is socially awkward & trying to hang out with the Defenders but can't bring himself to ask for membership. Maybe there are unintentional parallels between him and Scorpio?

[@Shamazya]

I love how ridiculously fixated they had the villain on beer.

[@teapartypenguin1353]

I imagine "Elegantly Little" would mean "sexy and revealing but still classy".

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

The Church of the Algorithm officially certifies this video in the ones and zeroes of The Recommending Holiness.

[@WarmLillie]

All he need is a can of beer, himself, and god of the moon.

[@RobertJazo]

"women wearing elegantly little". How to say you stan Zatanna without saying you stan Zatanna.

[@danwentzel6804]

It's fascinating that Moon Knight is called Marvel's Batman, and yet here he is with Nighthawk who was a member of the Squadron Sinister (a team made so Marvel heroes could fight DC heroes reimagined as villains) where he was clearly the Batman stand in. And then in the world of the Squadron Supreme there's ANOTHER Nighthawk with the same name and costume who could not be any more Batman-ish.

[@TheHeroOfTomorrow]

Well clearly, according to this comic, Moon Knight is Duffman.

[@rob-brown]

Nighthawk was a much better character than given credit for. He had a lot of potential that was squandered.

[@Bolsonaro_em_Haia]

There is also the Shroud, who was created almost exactly a year before this storyline.

[@DIEGhostfish]

In the Spotlight, Moonknight is even closer to Batman's original inspiration: THE SHADOW.

[@ramblingRJ]

It's appropriate that Moon Knight uses the words "Partners in Peril", since that was the name of the Shadow book that inspired Batman, who in turn inspired Moon Knight and Nighthawk.

[@hxzzxrd_8498]

I absolutely love his appearances in the defenders, it’s so moon knight, like no other character is escaping shit with a can of beer 😭

[@roryscott2941]

I assumed Moon Knight would have immediately killed Scorpio by beaming him with the full beer can

[@AussieDragoon]

Jake Fury is giving me serious Johnny from "The Room" Vibes. Everyone betrayed him, he's fed up with this world!

[@jemhoare2105]

Oh hi Marc.

[@bobsanders9809]

The Defenders the Beer of Super Teams!

[@timross5351]

"Elegantly little" is probably the proverbial 'little black dress'; think evening gown, but chopped off well above the knee, or maybe slit all the way up the thigh. The actual color and fabric would be up to the wearer, of course, but the style should be Old Hollywood.

[@ViccVegaa023]

The death trap escape is a very Batman-esq deal. ESPECIALLY for the Batman of the 70's when this was written. Probably not so much now. But if you were gonna position Moon Knight as one of Marvel's answers to Batman ( the other is perpetual Z-lister The Shroud, in case you were curious), elaborate and ludicrous death trap escapes are something you will just have to do. I was a fan of The Defenders title during this period so I am pretty sure that all the Schlitz references are deliberate jokes at Scorpio's expense. In other words: dude's so pathetic that he thinks Schlitz is a classy beer. It was that kind of book.

[@hunterpdx7061]

Schlitz. A classic beer from waaay back in the day, along with Blatz. Ultimately they all tasted the same. It was a time before craft breweries.

[@lindafreeman7030]

That era when Midwestern beers all had named that sounded like belches.

[@ViccVegaa023]

Wow. There was actually a Beer called Blatz? That sounds like a beer brand made up by Mad Magazine back in the day. Learn something new every day.

[@jimgillespie6109]

The fact that MK keeps files reinforces the "Batman clone"-thing, as does his beer can escape from the death trap. SO Silver Age!

[@DIEGhostfish]

Files goes back to the character Bats plagarized first. The Shadow.

[@f12mnb]

Sasha - you missed out the product placement call out - Chivas Regal! It was a way of getting hard liquor into the comics; not just wine and beer!

[@13thfullmoon3]

I think “elegantly little” was supposed to be loungerie.

[@NoNo-lt9bi]

Fun fact the people who wrote 1st havent actually seen the whole video yet

[@mikhaelgribkov4117]

Scorpio story is really fascinating considering it was pre-Watchman look in psyche of the super person and still works to this day.

[@landreaulover]

Kraft's Scorpio story may have eclipsed Steve Gerber's Nebulon/headmen epic -- if Keith Giffen's art hadn't morphed into a copy of Jack Kirby's style. Once Klaus Janson stopped inking, the art got so flat. Great story -- though. Never realized that Scorpio was gay -- and was not certain that he had committed suicide or if the LMD did it.

[@nilus2k]

One of the charms of the 70s Defenders was that it had a rotating cast of members. There were some core members that stuck around a long time but many peoples would come and go. The “Titan Up the Defense” podcast(who covers this run and Teen Titans issues on alternate weeks) basically considers anyone helping the Defenders as a member of the team and they are experts(also both are human men from Earth, no matter what you have heard) Anyways thanks for covering this silliness.

[@scoobers90]

MoonKnight's files are written in white crayon.

[@vasp99]

The main point of the Defenders ( at that period ) was their being sub par compared to established serious teams ( ie the rest of the Marvel Universe ) . The tawdriness was part of the charm and Schlitz beer was the closest they could come to Shotz Beer from the very popular Laverne and Shirley tv show . It was interesting for me to notice that Kyle mentioned Chivas Regal which I later in life learned is a brand of scotch . Reading the issue at that time as a pre teen I assumed Chivas Regal was a sex act !

[@CasuallyComics]

Lol I don't blame you the context of that scene lends itself to that reading. The way he was eyeing the paper...my first read through I thought he was looking for an escort.

[@vasp99]

@@CasuallyComics Maybe he was seeking professional help . His last known girlfriend was Trish Starr who had been blown up ( but lived ) by the great awesome Antman villain , Egghead !!!!!

[@syntroniccyndi6358]

Hey baby can I Chivas your regal 😂😂😂

[@vasp99]

@@syntroniccyndi6358 my response would ordinarily be , buy me a drink first . But in this case ...

[@syntroniccyndi6358]

@@vasp99 2 for 1.

[@xsanguine8]

I can't explain how hard that Moon Knight meme hit me, like something about it was just so funny it brought tears to my eyes.

[@ronaldmccomb8301]

I loved the Defenders. Best non team ever!

[@nishidohellhillsruler6731]

My favorite Moon Knight meme is the "random BS go", it works for so many things.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

These issues feels less about how Badass Moon Knight can be and more of the Dangers of Supervillain Alcoholics!

[@timothybarnett1006]

The Valkryie's Pegasus is called Aragorn, named by his previous owner, the Black Knight (Dane Whitman). The more you know...

[@StepdadsWrestling]

Wait... Nick Fury had a brother!?! I need to know more!

[@DIEGhostfish]

I don't actually remember if there was a living brother or if it was always an LMD

[@JK.Patterson]

As a Jimmy Olsen Simp I have to ask what happened to the Jimmy Olsen Transformation playlist

[@arpitpatel2781]

Yes!!

[@genegreigh8782]

And Rick Jones' biography too, please, as long as we're complaining about work someone else is doing.

[@Womper1992]

British people say “beer can” the same way Jamaicans say “bacon”

[@SeanSinclair821]

I was reading the Defenders back when this story came out, and I knew exactly what story you were talking about as soon as I saw Moon Knight holding that can of Schlitz in the preview image for the video. Funny how these things stick with you. I didn't realize that was Keith Giffen's art -- I wasn't all that familiar with him back then, but her's a much bigger deal to me now (for better and worse) after his run on the Legion of Super-Heroes.

[@jemhoare2105]

Keith Giffen has had a variety of art styles over the years.

[@SeanSinclair821]

@@jemhoare2105 That's for sure. Just in his time on the Legion he changed quite a bit. It's a popular topic of discussion / aggravation among LSH fans.

[@jemhoare2105]

@@SeanSinclair821 Apparently he got some flack for copying another artist's style one time.

[@rouenrobinson]

I googled "elegantly little" and I know I'm on a government list now lol... anyway I think a short strapless Tulle Fabric dress with beaded sequins that require the person wearing it to also wear pasties (or double sided tape) and nude colored underwear would count as Elegantly Little for the time period the comic was made in.

[@fezenclop]

I actually read that comic when it came out. I knew as soon as he threw the beer what Moon Knight was going to do. I read a LOT of comics back then.

[@SpaceJawa]

I get the sense that some of the elements being defined here for Moon Knight is that he's "Differentially Minded". Early phases of what would play into his later "He's crazy Batman" stereotype. Given the whole beer can escape and that it's difficult to tell 'real' Moon Knight panels from 'meme' Moon Knight panels, what I see here is Moon Knight showing hints of someone who was or easily could have been Deadpool long before Deadpool existed if they'd played his absurd behavior differently. Like a proto-Deadpool of sorts. Or perhaps if they'd given Moon Knight the 4th wall awareness that Deadpool acquired that in a different timeline perhaps Moon Knight could have filled the same role that Deadpool currently fills. On another weird train of thought, now I'm suddenly imagining Deadpool as a strange sort of metaphorical 'offspring' of She-Hulk's 4th wall meta and Moon Knight's meme personality. Which in turn has me wondering very strange questions about what a She-Hulk and Moon Knight pairing would look like for reasons and I'm not sure if I should be concerned about this.

[@seanraines5871]

That would be awesome. I ship them.

[@TitularHeroine]

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY LIKE 👍 I only regret I have but one to give.

[@lamenia]

A Schlitz can without the bull, it can't be!

[@Joenah5]

I'm reading through the Moon Knight omni right now, and one of these videos always seems to come out after I've finished the story in question but before I move on to the next one lmao

[@tskmaster3837]

What's "Elegantly little"? Here's some help for you- an actual song all about it. "Little black dress" from the movie Shock Treatment. FIRST you go rip rip rip...

[@CharlesJohnson-tp7qq]

"Elegantly Little" is the 5" 1' rival of Mille the Model

[@DIEGhostfish]

This Nick Fury Scorpio stuff reminds me of how much I need to read the whole Steranko run.

[@JayMasterJayWat]

Elegantly little - wearing as little clothing as possible, while still remaining classy

[@JKevinCarrier]

I was definitely heavily into the Defenders at this time. David Kraft and co. did a pretty good job keeping up the wild, weird, anything goes tone set by Steve Gerber. This story was my first encounter with Moon Knight, and I took an instant liking to him. He was clever, funny, had a cool look, and that "beer escape" is a total classic. I kept an eye out for his other guest-appearances, and was very happy when he graduated into his own series. Man, Scorpio's story is so sad. For all his ranting and raving, you feel kind of sorry for him and I was almost rooting for him by the end. His suicide at the end really had impact -- that was not the kind of thing you typically saw in mainstream comics at the time. And I hate that they later retconned it into being an LMD. Completely ruins the ending.

[@ashleytuchin7693]

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "elegantly little" is defined as Ant Man, The Atom and Doll Man hanging out in tuxedos, sipping martinis.

[@KaBoomStock]

“Elegantly Little” is most likely a minidress with a draped deep v-neck halter top that is just one good gust of wind away from total exposure.

[@jemhoare2105]

But what are her super powers?

[@Ubernerd3000]

This was my first DEFENDERS comic, AND my intro to MK; I thought it was pretty awesome; please remember this was before direct market stores, so most fans had no way of reading his earlier appearances, so the inconsistency wasn’t much of an issue

[@kcollier2192]

Elegantly Little = Chainmail Bikini. Also, "Where we talk all things comics"? I think I might have missed any coverage of the " comics ' my uncle kept under his bed... 🐴

[@Deoxys911]

This is the sort of quality content that keeps me coming back to this channel.

[@ozma4184]

The run of Defenders #20-#57 is one of my favorite runs in comics.

[@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115]

"...Kyle is missing his calling as a tawdry, romance or smut writer. "😂🤣

[@adriangamboa3529]

I love SO MUCH how she can speak so fast about smth that soundds totally random but still makes some kinda sense 😂💖

[@ScottBryanMuseslave]

Technically no one was a member of the Defenders... it's a non-team with no charter or headquarters. Who ever shows up is a member that day.

[@smexehcougah3]

I love that Moon Knight is constantly hunting down Dracula, who is genuinely intimidated by Marc Specter. And the sole reason that Marc is trying to find him is that the dude owes him $20 XD

[@rob-brown]

huge fan of Moon Knight during this era. Would have loved to seen more of Keith Giffen doing the art on him. Giffen nailed the look in my opinion.

[@CasuallyComics]

I really love the panel from 49 where he's coming right at the reader! His costume looks so dynamic in it.

[@paultapner1896]

Conversely, there is such a thing as Inelegantly little. Such as every Legion of Super Heroes costume from the seventies

[@rbourne35]

"Moon Knight has files" I am trying to not think of him has a Batman ripoff here.

[@DIEGhostfish]

0:01 12:51 "Partner in Peril" a very interesting choice of words. The Shadow story that the original Batman comic was plagiarized from was called "Partners in Peril!" And Moon Knight circa the previous outing in Marvel Spotlight was channeling even more of The Shadow's traits than Batman was. (Like his real secret identity being the military veteran and the rich guy being a cover. [Though the Shadow impersonated a real rich guy who looked like him])

[@Bolsonaro_em_Haia]

David Anthony Kraft was not Steve Gerber, but they had some resemblance of writing style. Both were a good fit for the Defenders at the time, when they were at their most unpredictable and gonzo. It was all just so perfectly out of whack. Moon Knight is explicitly _not_ a Defender, yet works just fine with them pretty much all the time, while the presumed main members can't even decide whether they have any leader or where their headquarters are, and have to resort to annoying the Hulk - who was their sole remaining founding member, no less - to have him involved in their mission. There was a finely tuned atmosphere of things happening as they would quite in defiance of any formal expectations all around the tale. Even Scorpio's plans and goals were incredibly vague and self-contradictory. As for Moon Knight, he has as much of a claim to being a Defender at this point as anyone else. It just happens that no one wanted to call him that.

[@yt_Ajay_]

I don't know about you guys, but Moon Knight really reminds me of Tom Hardy's Venom. I haven't totally lost it, have I?

[@fortcastellan1730]

I'm going to have to pick up that MK omnibus again. I'm only a few stories ahead of Sasha's reviews...The best part about the story was how the beer-can thing was perfectly in-character with the Moon Night memes.

[@Skeezer66]

Loving this Moon Knight playlist! What was fun about the Defenders was their 'non-team' status, except when they weren't, officially and unofficially. So, any hero could drop in or out at anytime, DEFINITELY playlist worthy! 'Elegantly Little' to me sounds like he wanted to date a fashion model just off the runway, then take her to Studio 54, so that's the fashion goal.

[@kevinmorris7224]

"Elegantly little" is the state of undress before the niple makes its appearance.

[@markshulusky6680]

Don't rag on 70s DEFENDERS! Steve Gerber and David A. Kraft did some of Marvel's best characterizations ever, along with Steve Englehart on AVENGERS.

[@gemmamoon5998]

Elegantly Little is my new drag name

[@CharlesJohnson-tp7qq]

All my guests get a delicious ice cold Diet Dr. Pepper. Because I don't drink.

[@sertorrhenclegane]

10:24 Can we all just appreciate this image...and the fact that someone brought a fully cooked turkey to a picnic?

[@cheddarcheese7928]

I hope Moonknight has the same muffled voice used here in the Disney + show

[@jpboursaw4469]

I’ll try to unpack without spilling. Here goes… Moon Knight kinda sorta maybe thinking about joining the Defenders made some sense. They were the non team with mostly non aligned heroes. Also, Marvel was unsure what to do with MK or the Defenders. One eventually got figured out, the other, not so much. Kinda makes sense that Scorpio would toss Moon Knight a Beer, as opposed to a Tab, a Fanta, or a Pepsi. But not Coke. Coke adds life, and this was a death trap, after all. And I question MKs escape ‘cos…PHYSICS. Jake and Nick Fury come from a blue collar/working class background. The very same folks to whom Beer was very heavily marketed (even around children), usually involving guys in Sports Bars surrounded by Ladies wearing “elegantly little”. America in the 70’s seemed to want its men drunk and horny. While Brewery’s disregarded the results of the influence of such marketing ‘cos…MONEY. Brunhilde the Valkyrie got the costume upgrade ‘cos…BOOB CUPS. At the very least, a problematic cosplay. What’s more disconcerting was her inhabiting a married woman’s body. And people were mad at Wonder Woman 1984… Think I need a Beer…

[@michaelthomas5433]

Watching these makes me wonder why I like Moon Knight so much? Also Scarlet Witch wears elegantly little in her original costume.

[@mecahhannah]

This is hilarious thank you

[@simonmann4922]

Conquer lord was never a mistake, he’s such a odd villain that you can’t help but love him

[@faithpilled]

I think elegantly little has to be hulk pants. Covers just enough tastefully

[@dennismason3740]

Elegantly little is a torn shirt on one shoulder and off the other, held on by a cold nipple. There was a panel.

[@MementoMorituri]

"I didn't graduate from Moon Knight medical school to be called mister, thank you very much."

[@CrystalblueMage]

Elegantly little? I'm thinking "Green M&M" :P

[@davidchurch5932]

Elegantly Little - Probably the original "Little Black Dress"

[@spookydookie4046]

Moonknight feels like he could have been a comic relief character. Someone who takes himself way too seriously and consistently patting himself on the back.

[@TroyPacelli]

Schlitz is not classy. It was never classy. But, the fact that it was a crazy guy who ends up self deleting who claims it is ... pretty much says it all.

[@thebandwagonfanpodcast]

Like many characters, Moon Knight has come a long way from his original stories to now. Love that you're putting out these videos to get us all hyped up for the Disney+ series. Again, Check out some of the modern stuff if ya'll want to know more about the character!

[@truefanforum3273]

3:59 Dr. Moon Knight? I wonder, did he get his degree by going to NIGHT medical school? I regret nothing!

[@tomcone394]

"Elegantly little" is the phrase used to describe the diamond bikini in "Johnny Dangerously."

[@tomcolby5821]

I read the Defenders in this era. The nicest thing I can say is that now Moon Knight's presence makes these comics worth slightly more than the 30 cent purchase price. Its right up there with his West Coast Avengers appearances....

[@briteskin]

My earliest memories of Defenders comics was the random pick ups because Hulks face in the corner and then he would barely or if at all would show up in the issue. Early lesson to not judge a book by its cover. These Defender issues had me wishing they had been cut from the Omnibus and 4 more issues of the early 80's series had been included when I read them. Pretty sure they weren't included in the Essential reprints unlike some of his other guest appearances. This definitely fit in with late 70's Marvel but unfortunately he comes across as we need someone who might have some ties to astrology since we are dealing with one of The Zodiac guys but not Ghost Rider since he's been dealing with them enough in his own title..

[@jfziemba]

'...wearing elegantly little down below." Too much of a gentleman to touch that one.

[@daveluna7931]

I agree ; I feel like moon night is just dropped into the issues

[@spookydookie4046]

Favorite Sasha Quote: "Why? Because I feel like it, its what we are doing" LOL "Castiel style" Supernatural mention woo hoo! "Moonknight has files everyone"

[@joeeljalapeno1816]

Loony moony is starting to be be one of My favorite Marvel characters and the show isnt Even out

[@jamesdavis8532]

I love the Moon Knight Omnibus! It's so entertaining to read how Doug Moench evolved his character!

[@jameseichelberger3164]

"Elegantly little" brings to mind the lingerie that Hellfire Inner Circle's garb for me.Lace camisoles , bustiers and the like -"Victoria Secretions!"

[@Ldastro]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this dive. Not so much for Moon Knight but the Defenders. They always were my fav team. I had these issues as I had a subscription to the comic back in the day. Delivered by the USPS is a plain brown wrapper. As much as they tried to kill the run with creative team change ups I stuck with them. Kyle always referred to himself that way, it showed how he thought of himself, much like the Hulk. This is also the time of the Elf with a Gun storyline. I would love to see more Defenders of that era and a deep dive into Elf with a Gun!

[@Vamroc]

Can we talk about how the Comics Code had LEGITIMATE teeth back then but here we have a character that's a borderline alcoholic pushing beer on every kid reading these issues HA!

[@lordbiscuitthetossable5352]

Slips was also a cost cutting measure; they kept cutting the quality of the beer until they did something with the filter; by that point everyone released that they had been fooled and it tanked the brand completely.

[@esieurin]

Moon Knight's appearance in these comics reminds me of when we were kids, and were playing D&D, and we were in the middle of a dungeon, and another kid turns up and wants to play, so suddenly we run into a random dwarf that just joins us...

[@megan_alnico]

I remember in the late '90s at some point Moon Knight was going to be canceled. Then this artist named Steve Platt did the covers for a Moon Knight miniseries and he was hot again.

[@jwrush]

I often feel like other superheroes just sort of treat him like another superhero because he dresses and acts right. Like its the act like belong principle all the time.