MEHER BABA, MOON KNIGHT, AND MISQUOTES

I recently received copies of a new Moon Knight Epic Collection that included my short run on the title. Although these stories were collected fairly recently in an omnibus edition, I hadn’t actually looked at the stories since I wrote them, back in the early nineties. When I flipped the new collection open to the first page of the first story, my heart sank a little because I suddenly remembered a massive goof that made its way into the story. And, as you’ll see, it was all my fault.  But let’s go back to the beginning:

In 1991, when Marvel editor—and all around great guy—Danny Fingeroth invited me to take over the ongoing Moon Knight series, I took a deep dive into the character’s history (I wasn’t overly familiar with MK, although I thought he had one of the coolest costumes in comics). During that deep dive, one Moon Knight antagonist in particular jumped out at me, a conflicted vigilante—created by Doug Moench and Bill Sienkiewicz—named Stained Glass Scarlet. I soon came up with the basis of a storyline called “Scarlet Redemption” and set to work.

As the title suggests, the theme of this six issue arc was absolution, second chances; the core idea being that no one, whatever their flaws, whatever their sins, is ultimately beyond redemption. In order to underscore that, I began the story with a quote from my spiritual master, Avatar Meher Baba (and if you want a little background on my connection to Meher Baba, read this):

“Saints are God’s assets and sinners are His liabilities. God, the infinite source of wisdom and justice, goes on eternally turning His liabilities into assets.”

Perfectly fits the theme, right?

I wrote the first issue script, proofed it, sent it off to Mr. Fingeroth, and, when the book (beautifully illustrated by penciler Ron Garney and inker Tom Palmer) was lettered, went over it with Danny to ensure the script was clear and make any necessary last minute changes.  We locked it and Moon Knight #26 went off to the printer.

Some time later, Danny gave me what’s called a make-ready:  a copy of the final printed comic, minus the cover, which the editor would get before the book hit the shops. I took the make-ready home, stretched out in bed, and started to read.  What I saw on page one was this:

“Saints are God’s assets and sinners are His liabilities.  God, the infinite source of wisdom and justice, goes on eternally turning His assets into liabilities.” 

Somehow, in transcribing the quote, I’d flipped the words “assets” and “liabilities,” completely transforming, and corrupting, the meaning of the quote—and I hadn’t noticed till I laid eyes on the printed book. (It’s a strange phenomenon that I’ve experienced multiple times: I can proof a script over and over and then, when the printed book is in my hand, a glaring error immediately jumps out at me with a mocking leer.)

To say I was devastated is a massive understatement. I had misquoted my own spiritual master, turned His words upside down—upending the theme of my story in the process—and it was now in print for thousands of people to see and misinterpret! I felt like a total idiot, and, given my nature, would have tortured myself about it for days (perhaps months) had I not suddenly realized that the date was April 1st: April Fool’s Day. A perfect day for me to feel like a fool and for Meher Baba to have a gentle laugh at my expense. Somehow, that knowledge dissolved my misery and I was able to laugh at the situation—and myself. 

It was too late to fix that misquote, but I made sure to include the actual quote on the next letters page, along with an apology to the Meher Baba community, seeking my own second chance, my own comic book redemption, in the process. (I was, apparently, living out the theme of the story, albeit in a far less melodramatic fashion.) 

I’d forgotten about the incident till flipping open that Epic Collection brought it all roaring back. A powerful reminder that, despite our best efforts, being human means we screw up, we fail, we fall on our faces—and that the Universe is always there, sometimes with a roar of April Fool’s Day laughter, to forgive us. 

Thanks, Baba.   

©copyright 2025 J.M. DeMatteis