Moon Knight Secretly Introduced The MCU's Version Of The Joker
Warning: SPOILERS for Moon Knight episode 3
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Joker was secretly introduced in Moon Knight episode 3 thanks to Anton Mogart. The MCU debut of Moon Knight has raised the profile of the fan-favorite comics character, and in doing so, the comparisons to Batman have become more prominent. Due to their similarities as non-powered humans who deliver justice through hand-to-hand combat, throwing weapons, and technology, Moon Knight has often been called Marvel's version of Batman. Based on that comparison, some of his villains have become Marvel's equivalents for famous Dark Knight foes.
For the most part, Moon Knight has attempted to show what makes Moon Knight different from Batman. Moon Knight's costume is the antithesis of Batman, as Marvel's hero wears white so his foes see him coming, while DC's superhero goes black to operate in the shadows. The focus on Marc Spector's multiple identities also illustrates Marvel Studios' effort to separate the Batman comparisons, as Steven Grant's millionaire comic roots were cut to avoid him being for Moon Knight what Bruce Wayne is for Batman. Moon Knight even pits Marvel's new Phase 4 hero against ancient Egyptian gods and the supernatural, which Batman is not known for being involved in.
Despite Marvel's best effort, Moon Knight episode 3 goes in the opposite direction slightly with a secret debut for Marvel's Joker. A maniacal and scarred clown with an obsession for the hero is not exactly present in the episode, but that is due to how the MCU changed Anton Mogart. He's an antique collector, a man of wealth, and someone who is easy on the eyes. However, the comics version of Anton Mogart explains why he's really Marvel's Joker to the company's Batman in Moon Knight.
Anton Mogart's criminal activities in the Marvel comics start off with him becoming a master criminal known as Midnight Man. He enjoys the thrills of stealing rare and expensive items, but doesn't sell them like most other thieves to get rich. Anton's transformation into Marvel's version of the Joker comes after his first encounter with Moon Knight. He falls into a river and presumably dies, which is loosely similar to Joker's fall into chemicals. When Anton emerges from the water, the wastes of New York left his face deformed, similar to the changed physical look of Joker after his accident. The similarities continue as Anton is driven insane by this event and vows to get revenge on Moon Knight, making him his arch enemy and the object of his obsession, just like Batman is for Joker.
The Joker comparison for Midnight Man certainly isn't perfect, but they are more similar than Marvel and DC readers might know individually. Despite the commonalities that exist in their origins, Anton Mogart never became as synonymous with Moon Knight as his big villain as Joker did for Batman. Midnight Man only made a handful of appearances in the comics before he died in a fight with Moon Knight. Since Moon Knight episode 3 seemingly killed Anton Mogart, it seems Midnight Man and Moon Knight won't have a long-lasting feud in the MCU either.
Moon Knight releases new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.