Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #3
(W) Clay McLeod Chapman (A) Manuel Garcia (CA) Skan
22 PGS./RATED T+
In Shops: Mar 23, 2022
SRP: $3.99
As Wilson Fisk’s city descends into all-out chaos, the Thunderbolts are the only law left on the streets! But some of these ‘Bolts are only interested in serving and protecting themselves, and where others see chaos and fear, they see OPPORTUNITY! CASH TO BE MADE! SKULLS TO BE CRACKED!
Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #3
(W) Clay McLeod Chapman (A) Manuel Garcia (CA) Skan
22 PGS./RATED T+
In Shops: Mar 23, 2022
SRP: $3.99
As Wilson Fisk’s city descends into all-out chaos, the Thunderbolts are the only law left on the streets! But some of these ‘Bolts are only interested in serving and protecting themselves, and where others see chaos and fear, they see OPPORTUNITY! CASH TO BE MADE! SKULLS TO BE CRACKED!
Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #2
(W) Clay McLeod Chapman (A) Manuel Garcia (CA) Skan
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 23, 2022
SRP: $3.99
WHAT’S LAW GOT TO DO WITH IT?
As his war against vigilantes grows, Wilson Fisk has laid out a proposition for the villains of the Marvel Universe: Join him or suffer the same fate as the heroes…or worse.
Devil’s Reign has been solid so far. The event sees Wilson Fisk’s plans all coming together as he uses his power as Mayor of New York to try to reign in Marvel’s superheroes. There’s a little bit of Dark Reign mixed with the Superhero Registration Act but all updated to reflect today’s political reality. But, even better, the tie-ins for the event have been really good as well. It feels rare that event tie-ins have been the quality that they’ve been so far. Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #1 is an entertaining read and one that shines the spotlight on just one aspect of Fisk’s plan.
Written by Clay McLeod Chapman, Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #1 focuses on a new team of Thunderbolts who work alongside the NYPD to maintain law and order. Of course the team is beyond dysfunction comprising of Taskmaster, Rhino, Whiplash, Electro, and Agony. It’s a varied mix of personalities and issues with an end result you know is only going to wind up with a meltdown of the team. Chapman focuses in on that dysfunction. Not only the team’s dynamic with each other but their brutal justice as well. They might hold up law and order but they’re murdering to do so. They also have no problem fighting each other as well as those that break the law.
The fact Chapman focuses on the initial villains as comical terrorists attacking a ball for its excess instead of using the money to help feed families. It plays up the comical aspects of the comic though delivers villains that feel a bit goofy and easy targets. But, they’re not really the point, it’s the death and destruction the Thunderbolts bring to resolve the issue that is.
The art is by Manuel Garcia and it’s good. Generally it plays up the over-the-top nature of the story. My gripe is Rhino who never quite looks right and at times feels flat in the visuals. Everyone else is great, just his character feels very off in almost every scene. Garcia is joined by a bunch of inkers Lorenzo Ruggiero, Scott Hanna, Livesay, Andy Owens, and Victor Nava. Dono Sánchez-Almara and Fer Sifuentes-Sujo handle the color while Joe Sabino is on lettering. The art is generally good and tries to play up the comedy of it all instead of focusing on the gore.
Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #1 is an entertaining addition to an event that has been solid. It plays out as expected and hits the beats that are expected. It, so far, hasn’t broken any new ground but it does deliver enough entertaining moments to make it a worthy read.
Story: Clay McLeod Chapman Art: Manuel Garcia
Ink: Lorenzo Ruggiero, Scott Hanna, Livesay, Andy Owens, Victor Nava
Color: Dono Sánchez-Almara, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.7 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics
There’s a lot of comics that come out every week and we’re kicking off a new regular feature where we highlight some of the interesting comics and debuts coming each week!
We want to hear what you want with this so let us know your thoughts in the comments.
This week’s highlights:
Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #1
(W) Chip Zdarsky (A/CA) Marco Checchetto
In Shops: Jan 19, 2022
SRP: $3.99
NEW YORK CITY is on a razor’s edge, and there’s only one force fighting for the rule of law in the chaos: Wilson Fisk’s THUNDERBOLTS!
On Wednesday, December 8, Mayor Wilson Fisk will have all of Marvel’s heroes in his deadly grip as Devil’s Reign, the latest Marvel Comics crossover event, begins! Spinning out of writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto’s Eisner-nominated run on Daredevil, this far-reaching saga will see Kingpin use his power and influence in a vicious quest to rid the world of every last Super Hero. The story will conclude in March but the epic aftermath will only have just begun…
In Devil’s Reign #5, the stakes are high as Wilson Fisk enlists the aid of some of the most reprehensible, dangerous and bloodthirsty criminals the Marvel Universe has to offer! He’s been able to keep them on a short leash out of fear but in this issue, that fear runs out! Fisk’s lackeys aren’t scared of ANYTHING anymore, even him — and all of New York is left to pay the price!
And learn more about these other Devil’s Reign installments coming in March:
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #3: Chip Zdarsky’s redefining work on Elektra reaches a turning point! With art by Rafael De Latorre, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #3 will see Elektra forced to make a fateful decision. She’s sworn a vow to never take a life as long as she wears the Daredevil cowl, but battered, bruised and with her back to the wall, will she be strong enough to keep it? If she is, will she be strong enough to survive the consequences of mercy? With a cover by Chris Bachalo.
Devil’s Reign: X-Men #3: King takes Queen in the final issue of writer Gerry Duggan and artist Phil Noto’s revelations-packed X-Men series! Emma Frost has taken on many opponents as the White Queen, but this time, she may have bitten off more than she can chew. As Kingpin’s plans unfold, forget Krakoa — can Emma even protect herself? Be warned, this is only the start of Kingpin’s vicious moves against the X-Men!
Devil’s Regin: Superior Four #3: Otto Octavius’ multiversal machinations come to a surprising end in Zac Thompson and Davide Tinto’s Devil’s Regin: Superior Four #3. Stranded in the Multiverse, Otto Octavius must swallow his pride and submit to a truly inferior creature in order to be saved. Now only one question remains: Can he regain the trust of the SUPERIOR FOUR and repair the fabric of the Multiverse without erasing himself from existence in the process? With a cover by Ivan Shavrin.
Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #3: Wilson Fisk’s city descends into all-out chaos in the finale of Clay McLeod Chapman and artist Manuel Garcia’s Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire. The Thunderbolts are the only law left on the streets but some of these ’Bolts are only interested in serving and protecting themselves, and where others see chaos and fear, they see OPPORTUNITY! CASH TO BE MADE! SKULLS TO BE CRACKED! With a cover by Skan.
Devil’s Reign: Moon Knight #1: A special chapter in writer Jed MacKay’s hit run on MOON KNIGHT! With art by Federico Vicentini, this one-shot will see what happens after Moon Knight is arrested by the Thunderbolts as part of WILSON FISK’S crackdown on costumed heroes. Now a prisoner in the high-tech Myrmidon, surrounded by hostile guards and many of the very criminals he helped put away, Marc Spector must fight for his survival. But Moon Knight’s quest for justice doesn’t end just because of a little light incarceration… With a cover by Rod Reis.
Check out March’s covers now, pick up Devil’s Reign #1 when it hits stands on Wednesday, and stay tuned for the cover reveal of Devil’s Reign #6, the cataclysmic final issue!
Beginning next month, Mayor Wilson Fisk will have all of Marvel’s heroes in his deadly grip in Devil’s Reign, an upcoming Marvel Comics crossover event spinning out of writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto’s Eisner-nominated run on Daredevil! The all-star creators will bring their superb talents for high-stakes storytelling to the greater Marvel Universe in this far-reaching saga that sees Kingpin embark on a vicious quest to rid the world of every last Super Hero. The story continues in February along with exciting new tie-ins, limited series, and one-shots!
In Devil’s Reign #4, New York is under siege and Wilson Fisk has broken! Whatever shred of decency that may have been left of him is gone entirely and now, with an army of super villains at his command, Kingpin has set his gaze upon everyone the heroes of the Marvel Universe hold dear — but even the Kingpin is unaware of the magnitude of danger he has put the city, its citizens and even himself with his war against the city’s super heroes!
Current Spider-Man Ben Reilly will get in on the action in Devil’s Reign: Spider-Man #1 by writer Anthony Piper and artist Zé Carlos. The events of Devil’s Reign have put Spidey in an awful position and as if that weren’t enough, the newly returned Rose has Spidey in his crosshairs and wants to prove that he’s badder than his dad, Kingpin, ever was. Carlos Gómez provides the cover.
Writer Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio’s acclaimed Moon Knight saga will also be impacted by the crossover. Devil’s Reign will find Moon Knight indisposed but his mission must continue. In his absence, an erstwhile ally takes up the fight in Moon Knight #8, but will the mystery of Stained-Glass Scarlet prove to be too much for Hunter’s Moon, the Fist of Khonshu? Cory Smith provides the cover. And come March, MacKay will team up with artist Federico Sabbatini and in a special one-shot, Devil’s Reign: Moon Knight #1, depicting Moon Knight’s time as Kingpin’s prisoner after a vicious battle with the Thunderbolts. With a cover by Rod Reis.
And learn more about these other Devil’s Reign installments coming in February:
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2: Chip Zdarsky continues his redefining work on Elektra alongside artist Rafael De Latorre in Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 which will see Elektra pitted against one of Marvel’s most savage villains. She’s the greatest assassin in the Marvel Universe — but having recently taken up the mantle of Daredevil, she’s taken a vow to never take a life again. But that vow is about to be put to the ultimate test, as Kraven the Hunter has her dead in his sights…and, unlike Elektra, he has no reservations about killing. If anything, he likes it when his prey struggles. At least, he thinks he does. Featuring a cover by Chris Bachalo.
Devil’s Reign: X-Men #2: Writer Gerry Duggan and artist Phil Noto continue to reveal Emma Frost’s deadliest secrets in Devil’s Reign: X-Men #2. Turns out attending Hellfire Club soirees was not the naughtiest thing the White Queen was up to in the time before she joined the X-Men… And the dirty deeds she did for Wilson Fisk are coming back to haunt her.
Devil’s Reign: Superior Four #2: Otto Octavius irrevocably alters the multiverse in Zac Thompson and Davide Tinto’s Devil’s Reign: Superior Four #2. Now he must do everything he can to undo a paradox of his own creation before it undoes him. As Otto’s relentless assault on reality continues, the other Ottos grow weary of their reckless leader. Can the Superior Four set aside their egos to work together, or will they be lost to the multiverse forever? Featuring a cover by Ivan Shavrin.
Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #2: Kingpin’s war against vigilantes takes a turn in Clay McLeod Chapman and artist Manuel Garcia’s Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #2. Wilson Fisk has laid out a proposition for the villains of the Marvel Universe: Join him or suffer the same fate as the heroes…or worse. Featuring a cover by Skan.
Luke Cage: City of Fire #3: It’s a fight for the very soul of the city in Ho Che Anderson and Sean Damien Hill’s Luke Cage: City of Fire #3. As the city burns, the Regulators set their sights on an innocent child who’s unwittingly holding critical information. Luke Cage races to get to the girl first, which brings him face to face with Jo Rockhead, the lethal leader of the Regulators who has the power to turn people to stone. But when Luke finds out he and Rockhead have something in common, will his resolve waver? Featuring a cover by Taurin Clarke.
Check out the February covers now, as well as a complete Devil’s Reign event checklist, and be there when Kingpin’s rule begins this December!
The recently announced Marvel event Devil’s Reign launches this December with two exciting issues! The highly anticipated saga from writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto will see Kingpin on a vicious quest to rid the world of super heroes through any means necessary, and he’ll have an army of super villains at his command to see it through. Consisting of Crossbones, Taskmaster, Typhoid Mary, Shocker, Whiplash, Rhino, and Kraven, this deadly new team of Thunderbolts will report for duty in Devil’s Reign #2 and represent only the opening salvo of Kingpin’s plan to remake the Marvel Universe in his own image.
Devil’s Reign will also tie into some of your favorite ongoing series including December’s Spider-Woman #18 by series creative team, writer Karla Pacheco and artist Pere Pérez. Mayor Wilson Fisk is purging vigilantes from his city, and Spider-Woman is on his list! Fisk will do anything to bring her down, including going after her loved ones. It’s all on the line for Spider-Woman during DEVIL’S REIGN! Here’s Pacheco had to say about what’s come for Jessica Drew:
From the Fantastic Four to the X-men, be there when Kingpin brings his full criminal and political power to bear on all of Marvel’s super heroes. Stay tuned for more announcement about upcoming Devil’s Reign tie-in series including January’s Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire!
