REVIEW: Kingpin Conquers All in Devil’s Reign #1
In Devil’s Reign #1 by Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto, Marcio Menyz, and Clayton Cowles, with a main cover by Checchetto and Matthew Wilson, we get to see what happens when the Kingpin of Crime himself, Wilson Fisk, completely consolidates his power on the streets of New York City… and it’s an impressive, synergy-fueled debut issue for this new Marvel Comics crossover!
Devil’s Reign #1
Devil’s Reign #1 main cover. Photo Credit: Marvel Comics.
First and foremost, I adored the way this issue gave Kingpin the opportunity to narrate. It’s a great narrative choice that allows us to get inside the mind of one of the most dangerous characters in the Marvel Comics universe.
Lots of big heroes in this one. Photo Credit: Marvel Comics.
In this issue, Fisk has married Typhoid Mary (I haven’t been keeping up on the Daredevil title, Marvel Blog True Believers, but after reading about this development, I just may have to make time to catch up on Marvel Unlimited), but he knows that Daredevil has done… something to obscure his knowledge of the masked vigilante’s true identity.
Kingpin versus Daredevil. Photo Credit: Marvel Comics.
This issue foregrounds an attempt by Kingpin to reign in super heroes using politics and law. As the Mayor of NYC, this is his providence, and it provides a foundation similar to that of some of my favorite Marvel Comics stories, which heavily reflect “the world outside your window.”
Roxxon really is everywhere. Photo Credit: Marvel Comics.
I’m especially looking forward to seeing our heroes fight back against this kind of authority!
Kingpin in Hawkeye. Photo Credit: Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel Studios.
One thing I especially liked about this issue was the timing of its arrival, which matches perfectly with the big debut made by Vincent D’Onofrio reprising the role of Kingpin in the penultimate episode of Hawkeye, the most recent Marvel Cinematic Universe series on Disney+ (not to mention the appearance of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home).
Kingpin Ascendant
From the Marvel Blog Archives! Photo Credit: Avery Kaplan.
Did you pick up this issue, Marvel Blog True Believers? If so, did you score the main cover, or one of the variant covers? I managed to get ahold of the Peach Momoko variant for this issue, and it ranks among my very favorite Momoko variants this year.
Cap stands up for what’s right. Photo Credit: Marvel Comics.
What do you think, Marvel Blog True Believers? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section!
