MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Devil’s Reign #3 REVIEW

This event is proving to be one of the better major storylines in recent years, with so much tension rising between Daredevil and his super-friends versus Mayor Kingpin and his dysfunctional crew. But what really sold me on this adventure is how Spider-Man and his family, both allies and foes, play such a crucial role in Kingpin’s takeover. Still fresh from seeing the most recent Spider-Man movie, I am just so glad that Doctor Octopus is getting more and more screen-time both in film and in the pages of Marvel Comics.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

January 26, 2022

Writer:

Chip Zdarsky

Penciler:

Marco Checchetto

Cover Artist:

Marco Checchetto

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.

BEWARE THE OCTOPUS CONNECTION!

PROS:

• It was still pretty funny seeing Spider-Man arrested, beaten up, but still game as always to make fun of his captors and bullies. It was even more entertaining seeing his Fantastic Four brothers saving him from the nasty cops, and making it clear that they should be thankful to Spider-Man for saving all their lives, time and time again. Sometimes, people really need to be reminded of what Spider-Man has done for the world, whether it be in the pages of the comic book, in movies, or in the real world, one way or another. Spider-Man being carried out of the police department like a little baby will be an image to remember for ages. He looked really comfortable in those big rocky arms, though!
• The highlight of this entire chapter has obviously got to be Doc Ock bringing his other Otto friends from different universes to help him overthrow the rule of Kingpin. We are blessed with an Octopus Army… Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Hulk all ganging up on Marvel’s heroes and eventually Kingpin and his own army. This is the perfect example of a Spider-Man villain stealing the spotlight of a book that is not even his own. And the question remains… will Doctor Octavius prove to be the savior that we never knew we needed? Are all these alternate-universe versions of the Superior heroes truly better than Daredevil and his street-level soldiers?
• Another great job by the creative and art team on this chapter, as the action, intellectual debates, and emotions all came out on the pages, bursting with life and color. The Superior versions of our favorite superheroes are both scary, disturbing, but ultimately cool at the same time.

CONS:

• I really think Kingpin should be smarter than that… I would think such a manipulative, genius villain like him would know how to handle Otto better, or at least sense already by now the perfect storm brewing. But then again, perhaps his arrogance has already gotten the better of him. This version of Kingpin just seems a bit out of control, despite literally being in control of the moment right now.

FINAL GRADE: A

If you are a Spider-Man fan, there is plenty to love about this issue, and this event as a whole, even. Very similar to Dark Ages, Spider-Man and his family play such important and crucial roles in every aspect of the plot. But even without that natural bias built in, this is purely just a phenomenal comic book event which I believe has the potential to hook new readers and bring back old ones alike. The big question moving forward is… who will win as Mayor in the next elections? I know who is getting MY vote. How about you?