- "She's out there, waiting, longing to be freed. While the cruel masses deserve to face her judgment. And in the wake of their screams, evil eradicated."
- ―Carson Knowles to Steven Grant
Carson Knowles was the former Avatar of Khonshu and a previous wielder of the Moon Knight and Black Spectre title, who fell disillusioned with Khonshu and instead became devoted to Ammut. He formed a cult of disciples dedicated to bringing her back to life and bestowing her judgment on the world. His mission to locate her tomb and resurrect her was hindered by the present Marc Spector, who had become the new avatar of Khonshu and baring the title of Moon Knight. Despite Spector getting in his way, Carson was forced to kill him. With Marc gone, he was successful in liberating Ammut from her imprisonment and became her Avatar, but he was stopped by a resurrected Moon Knight and Zayna Faoul, who imprisoned Ammut inside his body. Having been administrated to a psychiatric hospital, Carson would later assassinated by Spector's alter Jake Lockley while Ammut had allowed Stephanie Emmett to be her new avatar.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Losing a Family[]
Carson Knowles was the son of William Knowles, a famous architect who studied a lot about the Ennead of Egypt, and became a loyal member of an ancient organization that served the Ennead and swore to protect the world from evil. Carson grew up and earned himself a place in the Children of the Scarab. He was married to a kind-hearted priest named Francine. After surviving a car accident while his father and wife were killed, Carson traveled the world where he sought to continue his father's work.
Avatar of Khonshu[]
Carson Knowles was chosen to be Khonshu's avatar and operated as "Moon Knight". However, due to Khonshu's constant need for him to perform tasks, thus never letting him be free, Carson lost faith in him and was eventually persuaded by Ammut to betray Khonshu and swear allegiance to her.
Snap[]
Cult Leader[]
Judgement in the Alps[]
Carson Knowles being worshipped by his followers in the Alps
Sometime around 2022, Carson had recently took up residence in a penthouse situated in a village in the Alps in Austria, amassed a following of O.M.N.I.U.M., crushed glass into his shoes before putting them on each morning, and using the power of Ammut that was given to him in a cane to judge people's morality and kill people whom his ability deemed unworthy.
Carson asks for people to come forward
At one judgment ceremony, a man approached Carson to be judged, and Carson placed his cane in the man's hands. Carson watched his tattoo turn green and announced to the public that the man was a good person.
Carson judging a woman's fate
When an elderly woman then approached Carson and asked to be judged, the leader of the cult repeated the process for her. Carson's tattoo turned red, despite the woman's insistence that she had been good her entire life. Carson said that while he believed her, his tattoo was never wrong. He suggested that the woman was destined to do something bad in the future and expressed sorrow that woman would not see Carson's future before using his power to kill her.
Carson's first encounter with Steven Grant
While the woman's body was being carried away, two of Carson's disciples told him that someone had stolen the Scarab of Ammut, and that the thief was likely at the ceremony. Carson chanted in ancient Egyptian for the group to kneel, and everyone did so except Steven Grant, who hesitated before following suit. Carson recognized Steven as a mercenary named Marcus Spector and demanded that the scarab be returned to him.
Carson demanding the return of the scarab
Steven attempted to give Carson the scarab, but could not release the grip he had. Steven began walking away and insisting that he was not responsible for his actions, so Carson had his disciples grab Steven and retrieve the scarab. However, Carson watched as Steven changed into Marcus Spector and killed the men grabbing him, before Steven resumed control and ran away hopping into a cupcake van, with Carson's disciples in pursuit.
Heading into London[]
Carson pursues Steven Grant in London
- "It's maddening, isn't it? The voice in your head. Relentless, forever unsatisfied. No matter how hard you try to please, it devours you until there's nothing left but a hollow shell."
- ―Carson Knowles to Steven Grant
After learning that his followers had been defeated, Carson went to London, England, to find Steven Grant and followed him onto a bus. When Grant got off the bus, Carson watched and then sent his disciples to the National Art Gallery, Grant's place of work.
Carson greets Steven Grant at the Gallery
He then made his own way to the museum and approached Grant there himself. Grant attempted to ask a security guard, Ronnie, to escort Carson out of the museum, but Ronnie revealed to Grant that he was secretly one of Carson's disciples.
Carson explaining Ammit to Steven Grant
Carson explained to Grant that the Egyptian goddess, Ammit, owned the scarab that his alter had stolen and talked about her ability to see the morality of people's past, present, and future actions. Carson explained that Ammit could have prevented historical atrocities had her fellow gods and her own Avatar not betrayed her.
Carson explains Steven Grant's inner chaos
Carson placed his cane in Grant's hand and judged him, realizing that there was chaos within him. Grant ran away, and Carson instructed his disciples not to follow him.
Carson watches Steven Grant run away
That night, Carson had a jackal appear in the National Art Gallery, attracting Steven Grant's attention. Carson demanded that Grant hand over the scarab in exchange for his life. Believing that Grant would be killed by the jackal, Carson left the museum.
Speaking with Steven Grant[]
Carson looking down upon Steven Grant
- "Ammit will light the path to good by eradicating the choice of evil, which brings us to the scarab. That scarab functions as a kind of compass, leading us to Ammit's tomb."
- ―Carson Knowles to Steven Grant
The next day, Carson learned that Steven Grant was alive, and sent two of his disciples, Elisa Warsame and Hiram Gowdy, to bring Steven to him. He met them at a village that he had populated with his disciples. When Steven was let out of the car, Carson looked down at him and told Elisa to remove his handcuffs.
Carson walks and speaks with Steven Grant
Carson then led Grant through the village, greeting people, such as Jamila, as they passed, and explaining to Grant what his disciples believed. As they walked, Carson realized that Khonshu was nearby and told Grant to ignore him. Carson then brought Grant to a dining area and told him that Victor had prepared a soup for them.
Carson gets questioned by Steven Grant
As they ate, Carson told Grant that he used to be Khonshu's Avatar and that he had become Ammit’s as she was real justice. Grant disagreed and questioned him on whether that was fair. When he pressed him on the case of child murder, Carson became upset and threatened Steven with his cane.
Carson asking Steven Grant for the scarab
Carson then asked Grant repeatedly about the whereabouts of the scarab. Grant couldn't answer, and the disciples present began to crowd closer to interrogate him. When Carson asked one more time, Zayna Faoul appeared and showed him that she had it. He told her she didn't understand what the importance of holding such an object was. He then asked for it, but she instead went to Grant and told him to summon the suit, before running away.
Carson summons a jackal from his portal
Frustrated, Carson pressed his cane into the ground and used Ammit's powers to open up an entry way to another dimension. A jackal then crawled out from it and Carson sent it after Grant and El-Faouly.
Receiving the Scarab[]
Carson receives the scarab and kills a man
Carson made his way outside and found the scarab in an older man's possession. He asked the man for the scarab and then used his cane to ruthlessly murder him. Afterwards, he looked down an alleyway and saw that he had been watched by Zayna.
Egypt Mission[]
Finding Ammit's Tomb[]
Carson beginning his search out in Cairo
Carson and his disciples then left England and travelled to Cairo, Egypt. They trekked their way into the desert towards the Pyramids with the scarab pointing them in the direction to go. As they were walking, Elisa Warsame alerted Carson to the fact that Marc Spector was also in Cairo.
Carson sees Khonshu sending his signal
As they continued to work, Carson saw the eclipse in the sky and understood it as Khonshu's signal to the Ennead, musing that Khonshu was growing desperate. He then told his disciples that he was going to be put on trial soon.
Trial with the Ennead[]
- "It brings me no pleasure to tell you that this is a deeply troubled man. Khonshu is taking advantage of him, the same way that he abused me, the way he aspires to abuse this court. Take action now."
- ―Carson Knowles to Ennead Council
Carson being put on trial with the Ennead
Shortly, Carson was summoned by the Ennead Council into the Great Pyramid of Giza to be put on trial. Osiris told him that Khonshu had accused him of wanting to resurrect Ammut, and asked if that was true. Carson denied the accusation and stated he had simply been touring the pyramids. He then told them that Khonshu's Avatar, Marc Spector, was a deeply unwell man who suffered from dissociative identity disorder. When Spector, as Khonshu, attempted to punch Carson, Osiris had then stopped him and told him they would not allow violence there. They then concluded that Carson was innocent and dismissed the trial. Carson looked at Spector and then left quietly.
Meeting Anton Mogart[]
Carson confronts Marc Spector again
Carson had his disciples keep watch on Marc Spector and was notified by some that Spector and Layla El-Faouly went to find Senfu’s sarcophagus. Carson then made his way to their location at Jeffrey Wilde's estate and attempted to turn Jeffrey against Spector and El-Faouly.
Carson shows the Staff to Jeffrey Wilde
He then told El-Faouly that Spector was hiding something from her. He showed Mogart his cane and used Ammit’s powers to destroy the sarcophagus. He then made his exit as a fight broke out.
Speaking to Khonshu[]
- "Had you not broken me so completely, I might never have known the value of healing. I'm going to do what you could not. And when it's finished, I want you to remember one thing. Your torment forged me. I owe my victory to you."
- ―Carson Knowles to Khonshu
On his way out of the estate, Carson saw the sky dramatically change. The stars moved around as if the sky was changing to a new night. Knowing this was Khonshu's doing, Carson visited the pyramid as he figured Khonshu would get imprisoned for his acts. Carson saw Khonshu's Ushabti and talked to it. He admitted the Khonshu that he had a secret. He liked dealing pain and death on behalf of Khonshu. He then told him that he owed his victory to Khonshu as he was the one that broke Carson, allowing him to feel the value of healing.
Confronting Layla El-Faouly[]
- "Your father was murdered by mercenaries. No one knows who they were do they.
You're saying that Marc was one of them?
You said it. What do you think?" - ―Carson Knowles and Layla El-Faouly
The group found the tomb holding Ammit's Ushabti. Carson entered and walked around until he hit a room that had a giant cliff. He watched from a distance as Layla El-Faouly battled a Heka Priest. She was eventually able to defeat it, throwing the priest over the ledge. Carson spoke up, saying she handled it beautifully.
El-Faouly called Carson condescending and walked away. However, Carson caught her attention by calling her a little scarab, just as her father called her. When she walked back, Carson explained to her his purpose and how Ammit revealed the sins to him. Carson then sat down, right on the edge as if he was oblivious to the danger. He talked about how Marc Spector was in agony. He further explained that Spector was in agony because of a secret. Carson alluded to Spector's involvement in Abdallah's death.
Killing Marc Spector[]
- "I can't save anyone who won't save themselves."
- ―Carson Knowles
Carson was then able to find the tomb of Alexander the Great and saw Marc Spector there. Spector took an ax, holding it high. Carson talked to him about the first day he felt that Khonshu was gone and the freeing feeling he felt. He related this to Spector now that Khonshu was gone. Since Spector was now free, Carson gave him a choice.
Spector did not choose what Carson liked and slashed at Carson's men with his ax, throwing it at the man in front of Carson. Carson then took a gun and shot Spector, who looked at Carson in shock. Carson then shot again, the second bullet to the chest. Spector collapsed into the water below, dying. Carson then talked to the corpse of Spector as he was lifted from the water. He placed the Scarab of Ammit on Spector's chest, referring to him as Spector, Grant, and whoever else was in there.
Unleashing Ammit[]
Judging Guards[]
Now in possession of Ammit's Ushabti, Carson the disciples drove away. While driving on the road, they were stopped by officers. Carson stepped out of the car, causing a confrontation. Carson then proceeded to stomp the Staff of Ammit onto the ground, which checked all of the officers' souls. Every officer but one fell to the ground dead. Carson congratulated the one officer and thanked him for being a good person.
Ammit's Avatar[]
The disciples got to the Great Pyramid of Giza and walked up a fair distance. Carson then used the Staff of Ammit to open the gateway. Arriving inside, Carson immediately overwhelmed and killed Emil Natas, Carmilla Dominguez, Horus' Avatar, Tefnut's Avatar, and Isis' Avatar. He then smashed Ammit's Ushabti onto the ground, releasing her. Ammit asked who released her and Carson humbly said it was him. She then judged him, saying he was broken. Carson understood, saying that he hoped his crusade would change that, but was okay with being killed.
Ammit then said that since he freed her, she would spare him. She then commanded Carson to be her Avatar, which he graciously accepted. Suddenly, Khonshu arrived. Carson told his disciples to find whoever freed him. Khonshu and Ammit talked while Carson warned her not to give in to Khonshu's words. Khonshu and Ammit fought until Khonshu finally left.
Fighting Moon Knight[]
Everyone went outside to cleanse Cairo of their souls. Carson went to the top of the Great Pyramid of Giza and stomped the ground, letting out a wave of energy to people's souls. Moon Knight then arrived, being healed by Khonshu. Carson ran at Moon Knight and jumped, clashing with him. Carson held onto Spector as he flew into the sky. Suddenly, Spector changed to Mr. Knight, which did not have a cape, allowing him to fall. When Spector returned, Carson grabbed onto him once again. crashing into the street.
Carson and Moon Knight fought on the street. Carson gained the upper hand and was about to blast Spector when he was suddenly tackled by the Scarlet Scarab. Now in a three way fight, Carson did his best, fighting very well. He then blasted a van full of people, distracting Scarlet Scarab. Moon Knight got Carson to stop by tackling him. The fight went on until Carson got the upperhand again, deflecting the Crescent Blades into El-Faouly. He plunged the Staff of Ammit into Spector's chest, nearly killing him.
Suddenly, Spector blacked out. When he got up, he seemed to be a different person, more violent. He crusaded through everyone, not being able to be defeated. Carson was then taken down by Moon Knight, who changed into a hidden altar, Jake Lockley. Carson was near dead as Lockley was about to chop Carson's skull with his own staff. Suddenly, Jake Lockley changed back into Spector, leaving Carson on the ground.
Trapping Ammit[]
The injured and unconscious form of Carson was taken into the Great Pyramid of Giza, and placed upon an alter. Scarlet Scarab and Moon Knight then started a chant, creating a purple band around Carson. This chant was a spell that forced Ammit into Carson's body, which would make her mortal. When the spell was done, Carson was bound with Ammit and in front of Moon Knight. Khonshu ordered Spector to kill Carson, but Spector refused, instead making Khonshu free Spector from Moon Knight.
Capture and Demise[]
Carson soon ended up as a patient in the Sienkiewicz Psychiatric Hospital, seated in a wheelchair. Under the influence of a sedative, he attempted to reach for a drink, which he thought was sand, only to clumsily knock it over due to the sedatives effects. A nurse noticed his difficulty and approached, but was stopped by a man, who instead took Carson's wheelchair away with a reassuring pat.
The man wheeled a dazed Carson through the hospital, and Carson grew increasingly concerned as they passed dead bodies in the hall. Carson was wheeled outside, and roughly loaded into the back of a white limousine outside the hospital. Seated inside, Carson noticed his old master and foe, Khonshu, sat opposite in a white suit. Carson remarked that Khonshu could not hurt them, referring both to himself and the trapped Ammit within him.
Khonshu instead spoke to Carson about Marc, and how he was the only Avatar he would ever need. Tapping the glass, Khonshu had Carson's kidnapper revealed to him to Jake, a blood-vengeance mercenary who had been transferred into Marc's body. Jake wasted no time in aiming his gun at Carson, who panicked and tried to protest. Jake shot Carson four times, killing him and by extension killing Ammit, ensuring neither would be a threat again, and fulfilling Khonshu's justice. The limousine then drove away, taking Carson's body with it.
Personality[]
- "I can't save anyone who won't save themselves."
- ―Carson Knowles
Carson Knowles appeared as a benevolent preacher, his kindly demeanor having earned him respect and devotion from his followers. Carson soke in a reassuring soothing tone, and wholeheartedly believed in his cause. Carson was utterly devoted to Ammut, and with that devotion came a willingness to carry out her will. Carson was willing to kill anyone, even children, should Ammut decree them as evil, though the killings brought him sorrow to do, feeling saddened at the wasted life of a sinner. In this, he was something of a hypocrite, as he secretly hoped freeing Ammit would redeem him of his own sins, an opportunity he denied to others, though he was willing to die after he freed Ammit from imprisonment, as he was a sinner himself. Due to his sinned past as the Avatar of Khonshu, he put cracked pieces of glass in his shoes and inflicted pain on himself by walking on them as penance and to constantly remind himself of his cause. He was also willing to ruthlessly kill an innocent old man who came across the Scarab of Ammut, showing his utter devotion to Ammit and the success of his mission, to free Ammut from captivity and create a “better” world devoid of any past, present or future evil acts. Carson spoke spiteful of society at large, seeing it as complacent in sin. Due to his faith in Ammit and her goal to cleanse the world of all evil, Carson believed that a utopia could be built with everyone living in peace, without potential sinners, as shown in his small community in London where all of his followers lived in happiness and satisfaction.
Carson was extremely manipulative, appearing friendly to Steven Grant to lure him into handing over the Scarab of Ammit. He was also able to lure Anton Mogart into becoming his ally and preventing Marcus Spector from taking what he needed from him. Carson was also manipulative towards Marcus in the hospital. However, Carson saw this as all necessary for the goals of Ammut and would take all means required to do what he thought had to be done.
Carson despised Khonshu and blamed him for the way he was. He admitted he once enjoyed inflicting pain as Khonshu's Avatar, as he believed these acts were done out of justice that was deserved by those who committed sins. Carson came to see those days as the biggest sin he carried, showing that he hated that part of himself, to the point that he even saw himself as a sinner, as shown when he lived the life of a penitent. He saw the way of Ammit as far more effective in bringing about justice against evil, as it could erase all evil once and for all, while Khonshu’s ways couldn't eradicate sins forever. Seeing Spector’s deeply conflicted mind being manipulated by Khonshu, Carson appeared to empathize with Spector, as the two of them shared the same troubled life as the Moon Knight. Hence, Carson still offered Spector the choice of standing down even when he was close to Ammit, showing his belief in being able to change how people see the world. Although he offered his enemies another chance and tried to change their views, Carson didn't hesitate to resort to killing when they didn't accept it. Despite his grudge against Khonshu, Carson seemed at least a little saddened as watched Khonshu manipulate the sky, knowing it would result in the god being sealed away.
Relationships[]
Family[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[]
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Trivia[]
- In the comics, Carson Knowles was veteran who came back to find nothing waiting for him and sought run for Mayor in order to destroy the city that he believed was responsible for his mistreatment, using his identity as the Black Spectre to rally support for his cause through criminal means.
- The MCU version of Carson Knowles is similar to the Sun King, a psychotic cultist and avatar of Amon Ra, who founded a community for the renegades of the society.
- Carson also borrows from the character of Dr. Emmet, a female psychiatrist who ran a hospital for the mentally ill where Marc Spector was housed alongside his friends, subjecting him to torture methods such as constant sedation and shock therapy. She was also an avatar for the goddess Ammut.
- Carson Knowles puts broken glass in his shoes is a sign of his commitment to his righteous cause and his fundamental belief in the spirit beyond the body. This shows a reason for the Staff of Ammut besides for judgment as he seemingly requires it to walk due to instability.
External Links[]
Carson Knowles on the Marvel Wiki- Moon Knight on the Marvel Wiki
- Sun King on the Marvel Wiki
- Black Spectre on the Marvel Wiki
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