MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Devil’s Reign #4 REVIEW

These issues are coming in very hard and very fast… and we barely have any time to breathe in between! And it’s even worse for our heroes! The tensions are rising, the lines are being drawn, plus alliances and allegiances keep on shifting. This really is Doc Ock’s time to shine! In the previous issue, the Avengers truly found themselves in a gigantic mess, as their attempt to bring Fisk in was foiled when Fisk’s ally, Otto Octavius, made his own move against the mayor- with the help from extradimensional Ottos: the Superior Hulk, Wolverine and Ghost Rider! There is a lot of Spider-Man packed into this event, friends and foes alike… and even more spotlight on his popular, infamous arch-nemesis. This major comic book event surely has all the makings of an instant classic for Spider-Man fans.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Published:

February 09, 2022

Writer:

Chip Zdarsky

Penciler:

Marco Checchetto

Cover Artist:

Marco Checchetto

NEW YORK UNDER SIEGE! 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!

GAME OF THRONES!

PROS:

• I really am intrigued and fascinated by how the creative team is portraying the Kingpin as, ostensibly, on top of the world, but deep down inside, he is still so fragile, losing grip of his power and hold on the city. This is shown by Doctor Octopus literally telling him in his face that although he holds the position of power, and sits on the throne, it is really Doctor Octopus who is pulling the strings. Even Kingpin’s own son gives the villain a metaphorical slap in the face by spitting the painful truth… that Kingpin’s rule over the city is fake, and that Doctor Octopus is the true figure in power right now.
• I also really loved the little twist during the fight between the Champions and Rhino, another classic Spider-Man villain. This time around, Rhino makes it clear that he does not want to fight the Champions, and that he is actually on their side. He helps them defend against the drones and explains that he is really just a good guy deep down inside, and that he was initially enjoying a very legitimate and above-board job… until he realized that he was actually working for the dark side. So, it will be entertaining to see his collaboration with the Champions and Avengers develop, as this new trust is formed and heroes and villains alike seem to share a common enemy in front of them all.
• I am always going to get one heck of a kick from seeing Doctor Octopus acting so cool, all suave, and confidently talking to versions of himself from other realities, dimensions, universes… whatever you want to call it. I can’t help but already look past this current, ongoing event and anticipate what bigger plans the Marvel creative team has in store for Doctor Octopus, as this storyline of his can grow into something much more epic and sinister… or should I say, “superior.”
• The art in this issue was masterful! Rhino coming right at the readers was one of the main highlights and attractions!

CONS:

• We know that Kingpin is ruling the city with an iron fist, and that there is some Purple influence going on, but there could have been more panels or deeper description of how his tyranny is having such a negative impact on New York City and its people. It does not have to reach futuristic, post-apocalyptic levels, but the stakes could have been raised just a tad bit more, especially with most heroes underground, hiding, or running away from the law.

FINAL GRADE: A

As I mentioned before, this event has been a very intensely paced event that hits hard, relentlessly. We have heroes like the Fantastic Four in jail, making a huge escape with Iron Man and Moon Knight. We have Daredevil and his friends and family constantly under threat and danger. We also have an uprising on the horizon, whether it be for good or bad… although Doctor Octopus claims all he wants in life is to make the world a better and safer place. There is just so much drama packed into such a tight series that you just can’t help but wait patiently for the next chapter to arrive and give us one unforgettable show.