Advance Review: Devils Reign #4 (of 6)

Keeping up to date with this book, after the third issue I kind of feared the worst. With the introductions of the Superiors and octobots I assumed that all the careful planning and emotion conflict and context would be lost in a bevy of fist fights and chaos. Well, I am pleased to say that I was wrong, and boy, was I ever!

This book is set two weeks after issue three. It’s campaign time! As Wilson Fisk still searches for ways to further cloud the minds of men and women of New York city, the main thrust of his cause still remains hidden from him. Additionally, with his focus somewhat self-focussed, he is in danger of losing his mayor ship, with both Doctor Octopus and Luke Cage trying to usurp Fisk’s power. The heroes have gone underground, though thanks to the resilience and resourcefulness of Sue Storm, this might not be the case for long. Lines are drawn and crossed as tension in the city festers and bubbles.

The knock on this event is that it is too similar to the Dark Avengers storyline from a few years back, a concern maybe increased with the Superiors. Writer Chip Zdarsky keeps the Otto-variants on the side lines as he focuses on a the cozy core cadre of heroes. Obviously some are missing, Peter Parker for example, though Elektra absence is explained in her own mini-series. Zdarsky’s Wilson Fisk is an obsessed man, chasing the one thing that eludes him. The tension and stress of Fisk’s situation builds to a crescendo, Zdarsky laying the dialogue beats perfectly, with a Star Trek trope standing between Fisk and his ultimate goal. Other relationships in the books also have their boundaries tested, though the Reed and Sue interaction is sort of sweet.

The art from Marco Checchetto is perfect for this book. Good camera angles keep the conversational elements, of which there are a few, interesting. People look like themselves consistently though the fight scene is a tad chaotic. Still this is a minor flew in an otherwise effectively well-drawn book full of pace and storytelling. As the book continues, the art builds up to its climax with some glorious colors from Marcio Menyz, excellent throughout, rising to sublime standards in the final two pages. Clayton Cowles gets to have fun with the letters, using a certain color to emphasise certain powers in play.

I got into this book due to the highs of Zdarsky’s Dardevil book and I am very glad I did. Devil’s Reign has been a great continuation of Zdarksy work and long term plans for both Matt Murdock, and through her own book, Elektra. Without doubt, Daredevil, and now Devil’s Reign have been a Marvel’s best books over the year or so.

Writing – 5 Stars

Art – 5 Stars

Colors 5- Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written by; Chip Zdarsky
Art by; Marco Checchetto
Colors by; Marcio Menyz
Letters by; Clayton Cowles
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network