Devil’s Reign: X-Men #2 (of 3)
(W) Gerry Duggan (A/CA) Phil Noto
Rated T+
In Shops: Mar 02, 2022
SRP: $3.99
DEALS WITH THE DEVIL!
Turns out attending Hellfire Club soirees was not the naughtiest thing Emma Frost 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: Spider-Man #1 (of 3)
(W) Anthony Piper (A) Ze Carlos (CA) Carlos E. Gomez
Rated T+
In Shops: Mar 02, 2022
SRP: $4.99
• The events of DEVIL’S REIGN #1-2 have put Spidey in an awful position.
• 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, Kingin, ever was.
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: Superior Four #2 (of 3)
(W) Zac Thompson (A) Davide Tinto (CA) Ivan Shavrin
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 16, 2022
SRP: $3.99
THE FANTASTIC ARE NO MORE. LONG LIVE…THE SUPERIOR FOUR
Otto Octavius just irrevocably altered the multiverse. 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?
Devil’s Reign: Superior Four #2 (of 3)
(W) Zac Thompson (A) Davide Tinto (CA) Ivan Shavrin
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 16, 2022
SRP: $3.99
THE FANTASTIC ARE NO MORE. LONG LIVE…THE SUPERIOR FOUR
Otto Octavius just irrevocably altered the multiverse. 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?
Devil’s Reign #4 (of 6)
(W) Chip Zdarsky (A/CA) Marco Checchetto
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 09, 2022
SRP: $4.99
NEW YORK UNDER SEIGE!
Wilson Fisk, duly elected Mayor of New York, 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, THE 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!
Devil’s Reign has been a fantastic even so far. It’s been a mix of action, twists, and a story that has something to ponder below its surface. Devil’s Reign #4 continues all of that as the series begins to hurtle towards its finale. It brings everything together for an issue that sets up what’s to come in the final two issues and is full of emotion.
The heroes are beaten down. Wilson Fisk has a grip on New York City with his new Thunderbolts as well as Doc Ock’s creations patrolling and keeping the peace. Add in that friends have gotten hurt and you have that low moment for them all before they can rally and turn it all around.
Fisk is struggling too. He’s being taunted by Doc Ock, his son hates him, and he can’t remember the identity of Daredevil. But, most importantly, he can’t find peace. He has almost everything he wants, power, wealth, a wife, and yet he can’t settle. It’s an interesting issue that shows the compulsion of the character that’s his undoing.
Writer Chip Zdarsky has kept the event grounded which is partially why it has been so successful. Some of the grander characters are imprisoned letting the “street level” characters shine. Even Captain America has taken a back seat to Daredevil and Jessica Jones when it comes to decisions. Zdarsky has show with Devil’s Reign not every event needs to be world threatening. There are times entertainment can be derived from simple things like policy that has gone wrong.
Zdarksy is helped by Marco Checchetto‘s art with Marcio Menyz‘s colors and Clayton Cowles‘ lettering. The trio have put together a story that has gloom in its visuals but it’s never depressing. There’s an overcast about it that fits the narrative but never causes it to drag. The characters look great as well. The art is able to balance a jail break with an emotional moment between father and son. The series has been fantastic at capturing the emotion of the characters and this issue is a prime example. You can feel the anger of Jessica Jones. You can see the frustration and guilt of Matt Murdock. Visually, the comic is impressive with a fantastic match of story and art.
Devil’s Reign #4 is another solid issue of Marvel’s best event in quite a while. The story is one that is influenced by what has come before but delivers it in a new and updated twist. There’s some real emotion here and a lot that will make you pause and think. With just two more issues left, it’s up in the air as to how this all will end but one thing guaranteed is there’s going to be some shifts when things are all done.
Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Marco Checchetto
Color: Marcio Menyz Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Apache Delivery Service #2 (Dark Horse Comics) – Any comic by Matt Kindt, Tyler Jenkins, and Hilary Jenkins is likely getting on this list. The first issue being interesting doesn’t hurt either.
Batgirls #3 (DC Comics) – The series has been a lot of fun with a solid mix of story and pop art to go along with it. There’s a kinetic energy about it all that has us hooked.
Bylines in Blood #2 (AfterShock) – The first issue was solid focusing on a murder a detective needs to solve while exploring the failure of the systems meant to protect and lead us.
Cult of Ikarus #1 (Scout Comics) – Hunter wants to find out who she is but after vampire assassins come for her, she’s on the run from the deadly Cult of Ikarus.
Devil’s Reign #4 (Marvel) – The event has been fantastic so for and this issue is full of action and some solid emotional and tragic moments.
Hecates Will #2 (Black Mask Studios) – Hecate tenaciously continues her mission of scattering graffiti stencil puzzle pieces through the streets of Manhattan. It’s a very different and intriguing series so far.
Hellboy & the BPRD 1957: Forgotten Lives (Dark Horse Comics) – It’s a Hellboy one-shot. These are always entertaining in some way and well worth getting if you want some action horror to read.
Land of the Living Gods #1 (AfterShock) – The end is here! The spirits of the first people have returned to witness the last days of humanity. Enter a world of wonder and cruelty, beauty and perseverance.
Life Zero #1 (Ablaze) – A new sci-fi, action, horror series with art by Marcho Checchetto.
Secret X-Men #1 (Marvel) – We’re suckers for the “B team” type of X-Men teams where it’s a mix of characters who usually don’t get the spotlight or respect.
Suicide Squad: Blaze #1 (DC Comics) – A slight twist on the usual formula with some of the regular members having to manage new recruits who are part of a secret government procedure called Blaze!
Fans will get a chance to dive into Marvel’s most exciting new launches and ongoing series with new printings of Marauders Annual #1, Moon Knight #7, Silk #1, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1, She-Hulk #1, Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1, Devil’s Reign #3, and Conan the Barbarian #1 Facsimile Edition! These sold-out issues will be available at comic shops starting on March 9, complete with new second printing covers.
No one is safe from Kingpin’s wrath in Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto’s Devil’s Reign #3. New York City stands at the brink of disaster as MAYOR WILSON FISK has at last reached a breaking point, with an army of super villains at his back, and a deputized crew of super villainous THUNDERBOLTS on the streets and in every police station. Worse still, he’s put the Marvel Universe’s most powerful tools into (all six) hands of one of its most diabolical minds, unaware of the disaster that could befall the entire city as a result! As a gauntlet of super villains stand between Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Daredevil and liberating the heroes who have been captured by Fisk’s law enforcement, they’re ALL about to learn that the danger is closer than they ever thought possible.
Chip Zdarsky and Rafael De Latorre’s Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 brings readers the next pulse-pounding chapter in the saga of New York City’s Guardian Devil, this time starring Elektra as Daredevil! This continuation of Zdarsky’s landmark DAREDEVIL run spins directly out of the shocking revelations in the pages of DEVIL’S REIGN! Elektra is the world’s deadliest assassin – and she’s taken a vow not to kill. Someone puts themselves directly in her path with deadly consequences. What else would you expect from the MARVEL UNIVERSE’S GREATEST HUNTER?!
A new crew of X-Men set sail in Steve Orlando and Creees Lee’s Marauders Annual #1! With Kate Pryde at the helm, the Marauders are ready to renew their mission of mutant rescue! She’s got the mission – all she needs now is a new boat and a fresh crew to match. Pryde and Bishop must unite a crew of mutants, new and old, to spring Daken from imprisonment at the hands of a leader who’s as cruel as he is charismatic: the primal provocateur known as Brimstone Love! It’s the Marauders versus the Theater of Pain, a torture troupe that’s set up shop in Xavier’s School’s old backyard! Come aboard for the first adventure as Orlando takes the helm with the X-Men’s sea-faring mutant team.
Joined by artist Federico Sabbatini, Jed MacKay’s hit run on Moon Knight continues in Moon Knight #7! How do you fight someone that no one knows? Moon Knight is out for blood and hits the streets armed only with a name, but he soon finds out that in the twilight half-world of NYC super villainy, sometimes the streets hit back. And while he’s fighting his way through the super-crime underworld, he’d better watch his back.
The best character ever is back in her own series and about to glam up the whole Marvel Universe in Rainbow Rowell and Roge Antonio’s She-Hulk #1! Jennifer Walters is no longer savage and needs to put her life back together. She’s got a career to rebuild, friends to reconnect with (and maybe represent in a court of law) and enemies to… well, she may not want to connect with them, but they are DEFINITELY going to connect with her. And the last page of this first issue is going to send Jen down a road she’s never traveled and that will shake up her life and possibly the whole Marvel Universe.
Don’t miss the comics debut of stunning storyteller Emily Kim and the return of legendary comic artist Takeshi Miyazawa in Silk #1! Cindy Moon returns as the web-spinning Spider-Hero SILK in an all-new, all-star series! As Silk gains popularity in the public eye, Cindy is questioning her place in the world. But existentialism will have to wait when a powerful new villain is turned loose! In a race against the clock, Silk discovers the dangers of ancient Korean magic – and social media.
Legendary creators Ron Marz and Ron Lim returning to tell a story set during their fan-favorite run of SILVER SURFER in Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1! Someone has stolen the Reality Gem, an object that allows the user to fulfill any wish no matter the consequences! But whoever has taken it is doing things like bringing back the dead hero Captain Mar-Vell. It’s up to Silver Surfer to team up with the least likely of allies, Thanos, to find the Gem and restore reality to its proper form. The second printing variant cover will feature all-new artwork by Ron Lim.
Also returning to shops will be the special facsimile edition of Conan the Barbarian (1970) #1! Over fifty years ago, legendary writer Roy Thomas teamed with visionary artist Barry Windsor-Smith for the first comic book adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s pulp novel icon – introducing True Believers to swords and sorcery in the Mighty Marvel Manner! Conan comic books soon became a huge, industry-changing success story – and it all began with CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 in 1970! Join the young Cimmerian warrior as he and an Aesir raiding party invade the land of Vanaheim – setting Conan on a path of adventure leading to winged demons, a dark temple and the mysterious Star-Stone, which would offer a vision of Conan’s future as a king! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all!
Devil’s Reign #4 (of 6)
(W) Chip Zdarsky (A/CA) Marco Checchetto
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 09, 2022
SRP: $4.99
NEW YORK UNDER SEIGE!
Wilson Fisk, duly elected Mayor of New York, 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, THE 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!
