Comic Review: Devil’s Reign #4

Marvel Comics

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Marco Checchetto

Color Artist: Marcio Menyz

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Devil’s Reign #4 picks up two weeks after the Avenger’s failed assault on Fisk’s estate. While the issue reads as a lull before the climactic storm, there’s plenty to chew on. As Matt Murdock ruminates on whether he played the Fisk situation correctly, a fleet of Octavius-brand security drones fly by. New York is under a martial law, though the only citizens penalized are those with capes and masks.

The tête-à-tête between Fisk and Otto remains unclear, but I’ve a sneaking suspicion the latter will become the event’s main threat when all is said. For now, Otto is content to allow Fisk his campaign victory as he continues to explore what Reed’s lab has to offer.

From a character design standpoint, Checchetto has tried his hand at almost every major Marvel hero over just three issues. He ups that count significantly in #4, introducing Kamala Khan and her Champions into Devil’s Reign. Checchetto visually nails Khan’s unique powers. Meanwhile, Zdarsky’s story sees the young heroes providing the main Avengers team with important intel, then join in the hunt to find the Purple Man’s children.

New to the event but familiar to Checchetto are Mike Murdock and Wilson Fisk’s son, Butch. Butch and Wilson share words, and spit, for the first time, while Daredevil banishes Mike from Foggy’s hospital bed just in time to sneak a kiss with Kirsten McDuffie. I hope for Matt’s sake this panel is forgotten by all, forever–lest Elektra catch wind.

The issue is light on action, but there are plenty of fun moments. Of particular note is Sue Storm’s easy-as-pie prison break, which culminates in an always fun “Tony Stark fighting without his armor” sequence.

Indeed, there’s much to enjoy in Devil’s Reign #4. But it’s the closing pages that will leave readers hungry for what comes next. After inadvertently discovering a new power granted by his Purple staff, Fisk commands himself to “remember.” He then reclaims the memory he has long sought after, the one that began this feverish quest, a name: “Matt Murdock.”

Fisk knows. He remembers. What will he do next?