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Marvel's Devil's Reign #5
- Artist:
- Marco Checchetto
- Colorist:
- Marcio Menyz
- Cover Artist:
- Marco Checchetto
- Letterer:
- Clayton Cowles
- Price:
- 4.99
- Publisher:
- Marvel
- Release Date:
- 2022-03-09
- Writer:
- Chip Zdarsky
While superhero crossover events are often dictated by Marvel's editorial narratives and goals, once in a while an event book builds out organically from an important and dramatic enough comic. Such is the case for Chip Zdarksy and Marco Checchetto's critically acclaimed Daredevil series Devil's Reign, the culmination of years of storylines. While massively hyped and surrounded by tie-in titles, Devil's Reign has lived up to its event status in truly satisfying ways that will have massive repercussions for Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk alike. Joining Zdarsky and Checchetto for Devil's Reign #5 are colorist Marcio Menyz and letterer Clayton Cowles.
Devil's Reign # 5 continues the pulse-pounding story of Mayor Wilson Fisk's quest to solidify his power, gain reelection, and rediscover the secrets that Daredevil has erased from his mind. Determined to get revenge and regain his memories, the former Kingpin has made superheroes illegal in New York City. At the same time, he has captured Zebediah Kilgrave to control the minds of the people of New York so he can win re-election. He has also used that power to remember Daredevil's true identity and is out for revenge on Matt Murdock, regardless of the collateral damage.
Zdarsky's Daredevil has been one of Marvel's best series over the last few years due to the writer's ability to straddle the line between the gritty street-level stories of Daredevil's past and the more colorful Marvel universe. That is particularly evident throughout this event series, which has folded the entire superhero community into the proceedings and includes alternate reality versions of Doctor Octopus and mind-controlling purple rays. The high concepts are balanced by the savage and visceral violence brought on by Wilson Fisk who, after spending several years trying to temper his criminal urges, can no longer contain the animal inside.
As Fisk seeks out Murdock to get his revenge, the Marvel heroes continue their underground resistance, with Daredevil himself playing a relatively minor part in the proceedings. Instead, this issue focuses more on Luke Cage's mayoral campaign to keep Fisk out of office. In doing so, Cage begins to realize the impact he has on the community. His openness and lack of a secret identity have made him one of New York's most relatable and respected heroes. While it is subtle, there is a sense that Daredevil regrets his subterfuge and considers Luke's forthrightness as not only admirable but morally consistent in a way Daredevil could never be. Such moral wrestling is a common recurring element throughout Zdarsky's time on the character, and expanding Daredevil's supporting cast allows for that to be explored in new ways.
Marco Checchetto's art propels this issue. The plot is occasionally too self-referential and does little to move the actual narrative threads forward. None of that matters, though, as Checchetto's powerful and dramatic figures swing across the page and dance through the shadows. As the action and tension ramp up in this penultimate issue, the brutality of Fisk's violence is magnified. The final pages of the issue are a frightening display of his power. Fisk's body language, his facial features, and the way he looks at his enemies all amplify the unhinged mental state that makes the character more frightening than he has ever been.
Checchetto's dynamic layouts bring drama to the acrobatic and brutal action scenes and elevate the drama, utilizing shadow and angles to emphasize mood and character dynamics. Aided by Marcio Menyz's expressionist colors, each scene is distinct and vivid. Clayton Cowles's letters are superb, complementing the artwork with subtle sound effects that add to the page rather than cover it. Balloons move in concert with the layouts to guide the eye comfortably across the page.
As the penultimate issue of this dramatic event series, Devil's Reign #5 more than does its job of ramping up the action in the lead up to the climax. Things look dire, and the final moments of this issue are a frenetic and frightening setup for the finale. Devil's Reign is the kind of blockbuster event that makes readers remember why they love superhero comics. It strikes a perfect balance between drama, action, and high concept super-heroics.