Moon Knight #8
(W) Jed MacKay (A) Alessandro Cappuccio (CA) Cory Smith (VCA) Todd Nauck
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 09, 2022
SRP: $3.99
“Welcome to the Midnight Mission. My name is Doctor Moon. How can I help?” Moon Knight may be indisposed in the wake of the DEVIL’S REIGN, but the mission continues. In his absence, an erstwhile ally takes up the fight, but will the mystery of Stained-Glass Scarlet prove to be too much for Hunter’s Moon, the Fist of Khonshu?
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 (of 3)
(W) Chip Zdarsky (A) Rafael De Latorre (CA) Chris Bachalo
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 02, 2022
SRP: $3.99
Elektra Natchios is 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.
Event spin-offs are an interesting mix. They often feel like cash grabs, delivering a quality that’s rather… lacking. The current Devil’s Reign feels different though. The main title is excellent so far and the tie-ins have all been really good. It’s the rare event that hasn’t disappointed in any way (so far). A prime example of that is Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 which picks up from the fantastic debut and has Elektra facing down Kraven the Hunter.
Written by Chip Zdarsky, what really stands out about Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 is his focus on the character. Sure, there’s a lot of solid action and fight scenes, but most of the comic is really Elektra thinking about her current situation and the past that got her there. This is someone that has done horrible things in her past and hasn’t faced them all. She’s unsettled and still debating on her actions.
As someone who has issues getting that sort of reflection out of my own head, this is a comic that just feels like reality. It’s the actions, at least the reflection, of a real person who is thinking about their past. What could they have done differently? How might have things changed? Should they do anything now? It’s that focus on a single event and dissecting it 20 different ways that hits home. It’s a very realistic and human thing to do for some people. It’s something I regularly experience. It’s something a lot of people experience. Zdarsky has taken the real reflection people do and put it all down on paper for our entertainment.
Rafael De Latorre‘s art is fantastic. With color from Federico Blee and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the art and design is top notch. This doesn’t feel like an event cash-in, it feels like the main event. The battle has a brutality in it that’s subtle. You never quite know when either combatant will strike which makes the art deliver a tense aspect about it all. It’s just fantastic to look at.
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 is a tie-in but it’s a comic that can stand on its own. It feels like the event is almost secondary as Elektra reflects on her life. It’s a hell of an issue for a fantastic miniseries that has me begging for more. Even if you’re not reading Devil’s Reign, which you should, this is well worth picking up on its own.
Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Rafael De Latorre
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #2 (of 3)
(W) Chip Zdarsky (A) Rafael De Latorre (CA) Chris Bachalo
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 02, 2022
SRP: $3.99
Elektra Natchios is 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.
Devil’s Reign #3 (of 6)
(W) Chip Zdarsky (A/CA) Marco Checchetto
RATED T+
In Shops: Jan 26, 2022
SRP: $4.99
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. Civilians, heroes, even children – NO ONE is safe from the Kingpin’s wrath.
Spider-Woman #19
(W) Karla Pacheco (A) Pere Perez (C) Frank D’Armata (L) Travis Lanham (CA) Jung-Geun Yoon (VCA) Pere Perez
RATED T+
In Shops: Feb 02, 2022
SRP: $3.99
A DEVIL’S REIGN TIE-IN!
• SPIDER-WOMAN VS. SPIDER-WOMAN?!
• But HOW?! Jessica Drew must question everything. Starting with whether she is the true Jessica Drew!!!
Often with comic events, the spin-offs are rather lacking. They just don’t have the same quality as the main story in numerous ways. Many times they come off as side quests that just gives characters something to do. The clear goals is that the characters are enough to sell the issues. Other times, they feel like they’re story that couldn’t be shoved into the main series. Generally, they’re a mixed bag. Devil’s Reign has been breaking that trend with spin-offs. They’ve been solid in their own ways, telling their own stories that could take place even without the event. Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier #1 is a prime example of that using the event to focus in on Bucky Barnes’ journey and to set up what’s to come for Captain America.
Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier #1 focuses in on the files that Wilson Fisk has on Marvel’s heroes. It’s a bit of info that has been brought up a few times in the main series dancing around what it means. Bucky is having issues sleeping, having nightmares of the crimes he committed in the past but can’t remember. He’s hoping that some of his history is locked away with Wilson.
Lanzing and Kelly deliver a heist comic with a bit more depth. Each character sleep walks in their own way eventually clashing in brutal results. They’re two sides of the same coin with one awake to the crimes and horrors he’s committed and the other asleep and completely unaware. There’s a layer to the comic that’s very smart and deserves to be examined by readers.
The art by Nico Leon is fantastic. Leon is joined by Felipe Sobreiro on color and Joe Caramagna on lettering. The issue’s art has an interesting mix of being both an action heist comic and somewhat dreamlike. The transition from one to the other is impressive and the result is a comic that slowly involves into being a nightmare visually. The team does it in a way that’s subtle and doesn’t go over the top so it’s distracting. Instead, the art balances things between the action and spy elements and that of the horror that follows.
Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier #1 is a solid issue that stands on its own. While it’s part of Devil’s Reign, it feels more like a one-shot that will lead to something down the line. It’s a perfect example of a character’s involvement in an event enhancing their story instead of just being a part of the event. A fantastic issue that has us excited to see what Lanzing and Kelly does in the future with Captain America’s corner of the Marvel Universe.
Story: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly Art: Nico Leon
Color: Felipe Sobreiro Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics
Marvel’s recent events have been rather mixed in quality. Some start off really strong to only sputter by the third issue. Others just never quite click with the concepts better than the execution. Devil’s Reign #3 bucks the trends going three for three with quality and entertainment.
Mayor Fisk has tightened his grip on New York City and looks to running strong in his re-election thanks to the help of the Purple Man. Standing in his way is Luke Cage who has decided to step up to run against Fisk for Mayor and the remaining heroes who have gone underground to do what they do best.
Written by Chip Zdarsky, Devil’s Reign #3 does a fantastic job of balancing a lot of plot threads, giving each more than enough time to grow in their various ways. Ben Reilly’s arrest, Luke’s campaign, Sue Storm in jail, Doc Ock, and more, it’s all packed into an issue that barrels ahead.
What I think Zdarsky does amazingly well is deliver a story that’s downright depressing in may ways but doesn’t feel dark. There’s still a glimmer of hope through the frustration so many of the heroes are showing. What’s great is also the “street level” heroes are taking the lead in this event with characters such as Captain America taking a backseat and following their lead. It’s an interesting dynamic that puts Daredevil, Luke Cage, and even Miles Morales more in the spotlight
The art is fantastic as well. Marco Checchetto delivers a style that fits the mood, helped by Marcio Menyz‘s colors and Clayton Cowles‘ lettering. Like the story itself, there’s a darkness and cloud that hangs over the art but at no point does it feel depressing. There’s a frustration that oozes off the page as the heroes feel beat down but not beaten. There’s also some humorous moments through it all as well, nailing the little bit of levity that Zdarsky’s script brings. The art also transitions so well from debates around a table to full on action without missing a beat.
Devil’s Reign #3 continues what is one of the best Marvel events in some time. There’s a depth and layer to the story that can be enjoyed as well as its surface level details. It includes some heavy hitters while also not allowing them to steal the spotlight. This is an event that has potential to blow up bigger in the Marvel Universe, and there’s an energy about the story and art that captures that so well. This is an event that’s not to be missed.
Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Marco Checchetto
Color: Marcio Menyz Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics
A new Daredevil #1 rises from the ashes of Devil’s Reign’s climactic ending!
Writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto will be continuing their Eisner-nominated run on Daredevil this June. Known for their transformative work on the saga of Matt Murdock, Elektra, Kingpin and more, the superstar creative team will turn their gaze to a future full of peril and pain, in this explosive beginning of an all new era for Hell’s Kitchen’s guardian devil. After the shocking events of Devil’s Reign, what is left of Daredevil? Who lived, who died, and who is left to pick up the pieces? Fans can expect the series to tackle both Matt AND Elektra’s journeys as they deal with the brutal cost of taking on the Daredevil mantle. With new enemies and radical changes to the fabric of Daredevil’s mythos, Daredevil #1 is set to usher in the darkest Hell’s Kitchen to date.
Don’t miss the shocking twists and the dramatic developments Zdarsky and Checchetto have in store for Hell’s Kitchen when Daredevil #1 hits stands this June!
Wednesdays (and now 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.
Batman/Catwoman Special #1 (DC Comics) – John Paul Leon left us far too soon and this issue is a great opportunity to see why he’s such an admired artist.
Black Panther #3 (Marvel) – John Ridley has grounded the character and put him on a quest to figure out who’s assassinating his undercover agents. Action and paranoia!
Cocaine Coast (Ablaze) – The true story about the European drug trade, and it’s been turned into a Netflix series!?
DC vs. Vampires #4 (DC Comics) – The series has kept us guessing as to who is a vampire and who’s not and who’s getting killed next!
Devil’s Reign #3/Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier #1 (Marvel) – The event has been fantastic so far and we’re here for every release… including the spin-offs!
The Harbinger #4 (Valiant) – The series has been awesome so far and we’re expecting some major implications for the Valiant Universe to spin out of it.
Saga #55 (Image Comics) – Saga‘s return is a big deal after what feels like a decade since we last saw it on the shelf. How will it feel picking the series up after such a long break? We’ll find out soon enough!
Stray Dogs: Dog Days #2 (Image Comics) – We’re sad this is just two issues diving deeper into this amazing horror series from the perspective of dogs. We want more!
Superman & Robin Special #1 (DC Comics) – We loved Super Sons, so to see a grown-up Jon and Damian team up should be entertaining.
Task Force Z #4 (DC Comics) – The concept of a “zombie” Suicide Squad might seem silly but it really works.
