Why Moon Knight Has 2 Different Costumes

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Moon Knight episode 2.

In Marvel's new Moon Knight, a second costume and identity for the MCU's newest vigilante hero has been revealed in the form of Mr. Knight. While Oscar Isaac's Steven Grant still has plenty of questions about what's going on and about the other personality who takes control of his body, the veil has begun to lift with Moon Knight episode 2. Not only does he learn more about Marc Spector and his role as Moon Knight, but a surprise twist leads to the debut of Mr. Knight, another of Moon Knight's alters.

In Moon Knight episode 2, Steven Grant is still reeling from the late-night events at the museum where he was attacked by a supernatural jackal summoned by Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke), the current avatar of the Egyptian goddess Ammit. Surrendering to the version of himself Steven sees in the mirror, Marc Spector took control of the body and became Moon Knight, the chosen avatar of the moon god Khonshu. Steven then wakes up back in his bed, determined to never give Marc control of their shared body ever again. However, new conflicts with Harrow and his followers convince Steven otherwise, allowing Marc as the primary alter to take over once more.

That being said, the traditional Moon Knight showing up in the episode was preceded by the surprising introduction of Mr. Knight, an alternate form of Khonshu's Fist. Wearing a white business suit with a mask, Mr. Knight has typically held a more reserved role in the comics while Moon Knight is the more brutal instrument of justice. However, the new MCU version features a brand new twist on the character. Here's what's known about Mr. Knight thus far and his powers compared to the original Moon Knight.

Who Is Mr. Knight? Moon Knight's Second Superhero Costume

Mr. Knight sits in a chair in the Moon Knight comics.

Created in 2011 by Warren Ellis and Michael Lark, the three-piece business suit look for Marc Spector was originally just a new costume design that allowed Moon Knight to be more covert sans a large hood and cape (as covert as one can be wearing an all-white suit). However, 2014 kickstarted a revamp of the Moon Knight title that saw the new style becoming his own separate alter known as Mr. Knight. While the more classic Moon Knight is all about jumping over rooftops and extreme vengeance, Mr. Knight became a more public persona who interacts with those in need as well as with authorities who grant him access to crime scenes. If Moon Knight is Marvel's Batman (as he's often referred to), Mr. Knight is the detective side of the Dark Knight. In the current Moon Knight series from Jed Mackay and Allessandro Cappuccio, Mr. Knight also runs the Midnight Mission as Khonshu's High Priest, meeting with those who require Moon Knight's services. That being said, Mr. Knight is still able to hold his own in a fight when the situation calls for it.

How Steven Becomes Mr. Knight (And Not Marc)

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While Mr. Knight and Moon Knight are both alters accessed by Marc in the comics, the MCU does something different. Marc Spector lives with Dissociative Identity Disorder, being the original person who has alters beyond those granted to him by Khonshu. Steven Grant is the first alter viewers have met thus far in Marvel's Moon Knight series. While Marc had been trying to keep Grant in the dark about him and his role as Khonshu's avatar, something has changed with Steven being pulled directly into Moon Knight's conflict with Harrow. Moon Knight episode 2 saw Steven summoning the power of Khonshu himself before giving control to Marc. Having never seen what the ceremonial armor of Khonshu looks like, Steven thought of a white business suit with a mask. As such, the MCU version has provided a brand-new origin for Mr. Knight by making him Grant's vigilante persona.

In the comics, Steven Grant was an alter of Marc's who was a socialite millionaire who financed Moon Knight's missions and gear. However, the MCU has dramatically changed his role, making Steven unaware of Marc's life until the start of this series and having him work in a gift shop. Now, the addition of Mr. Knight as an alter seemingly belonging to Steven is so far the most major change that has been made to Moon Knight when compared to the comics. The new change does make a certain amount of sense. Steven Grant used to be the public face of Moon Knight in the comics, a role which eventually diverted back to Marc with the manifestation of Mr. Knight. Essentially, the MCU has combined the two personalities who largely fulfilled the same duties, effectively giving Grant a more active role in the series while also making things simpler for viewers: Moon Knight is Marc, and Mr. Knight is Steven.

Mr. Knight's Powers Explained & Compared

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It appears as though Steven's Mr. Knight has the same power and abilities as Moon Knight himself. Ripping off the bumper of a car and sending a new jackal flying with one punch, he clearly has enhanced strength granted to him by the banished god Khonshu. It also looks as though Mr. Knight wields his classic truncheons from the comics, which serve as simple clubs. While they can also be made into nunchucks and have a grappling hook feature, it remains to be seen if they'll carry the same bells and whistles in the MCU as they do on the page.

The new power and costume have also made Steven far more confident than he was before. At one point he even takes off his new jacket and rolls up his sleeves to face the jackal head-on, a subtle reference to Mr. Knight's epic battle in 2014's Moon Knight #5 where he singlehandedly took down an apartment complex full of thugs. While Marc may be back in control by the end of Moon Knight episode 2, here's hoping he lets Steven out in future episodes, bringing with him the new Mr. Knight personality as the series continues.

More: Moon Knight Confirms Marc Spector Survived Thanos’ Snap

Moon Knight releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.