Warning: SPOILERS for Moon Knight episode 3!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is no stranger to redeeming people with a bad past, but Marc Spector's dark origin tease in Moon Knight makes him worse than The Winter Soldier. The exploration of Moon Knight's alters is a core concept for the Marvel Studios production. Moon Knight has repeatedly teased Marc Spector's past as a mercenary with a checkered past, which resulted in him being an international fugitive. Although his prior actions have yet to be shown, Marc is set up to have a darker origin than Bucky Barnes.

Whereas Moon Knight is only just now getting a chance to shine in the MCU, Bucky Barnes has been around from very early on. Steve Rogers' best friend transformed into Hydra's super-soldier assassin known as Winter Soldier before getting help to overcome the organization's mental programming. Compared to Winter Soldier's past, it is understandable to think of Moon Knight in a better light. However, Moon Knight episode 3's tease of his dark secrets and potential role in the death of Layla's father indicates otherwise.

Related: Moon Knight: Who Is Marc Spector’s Third (& More Violent) Identity

The important distinction to make between Moon Knight and Winter Soldier is who is in control. Although Marc Spector is Khonshu's Avatar and follows his commands to some degree, his past as a mercenary predates any influence from the Egyptian moon god. This reinforces that Marc was in complete control of any action he had as a mercenary. It is known that he's killed people due to this profession of his choosing, and that alone makes him worse than Winter Soldier morally speaking, as Bucky Barnes had no say in the killings was responsible for under Hydra's mind control.

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Marc Spector's choice in his dark origin puts him in a different light when compared to Winter Soldier or any other Marvel hero with a dark past. Bucky killed plenty of individuals in the past, including Tony Stark's parents, but Hydra's brainwashing made it impossible for him not to comply. Unless the reason for Marc's mercenary career is given some additional backstory, he can't absolve his actions in the same way. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier even illustrated the traumatic effects the Winter Soldier missions had on Bucky's psyche.

This really sets Marc apart from the rest of the MCU heroes, as he seems very comfortable with killing when he believes it is necessary. Black Widow and Shang-Chi also had darker pasts, but they were raised from young ages to use their skills for malicious reasons and in lethal ways. Marc Spector likely doesn't have the same backstory, and he also isn't brainwashed by an evil organization like Bucky. So, if future Moon Knight episodes reveal Marc Spector was responsible for or complicit in the murder of Layla's father, that would be worse than anything Winter Soldier ever did.

More: The Winter Soldier Killed Spider-Man's Parents - MCU Theory Explained

Moon Knight releases new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.

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