Devil's Reign

"Devil's Reign"
Publisher	Marvel Comics
Publication date	December 2021 – March 2022
Main character(s)	Avengers Daredevil Elektra Fantastic Four Mayor Wilson Fisk Doctor Octopus Superior Four Luke Cage Moon Knight Spider-Man (Ben Reilly) Spider-Woman Thunderbolts X-Men
Creative team
Writer(s)	Chip Zdarsky
Penciller(s)	Marco Checchetto

Devil's Reign is an American comic book event written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Marco Checchetto, published from 2021 to 2022 by Marvel Comics.

Premise[]

The story details Mayor Wilson Fisk planning to stop the superhero activities in New York City which even involves a variation of his Thunderbolts group.

Plot[]

Mayor Wilson Fisk discovers physical evidence proving that he once knew Daredevil's true identity, noticing gaps in his own memory after the fact. Outraged, Mayor Fisk confronts Daredevil who taunts him. Consequentially, Mayor Fisk outlaws vigilantism in the city. When interviewed on Mayor Fisk's new laws, Tony Stark states that superheroes have saved the world many times and considers this a move from a "gangster mayor in the election year". Storm states in an interview that Krakoa has no interest in human laws and that all mutants should have diplomatic immunity while advising Mayor Fisk to let them be. To enforce his new law, Mayor Fisk sets up the Thunderbolts units overseen by Commissioner Kyle of the NYPD. Moon Knight is the first to be apprehended by the Thunderbolts members Agony, Electro II, Rhino, and U.S. Agent. After rescuing people from the fire, Captain America and Miles Morales are confronted by the Thunderbolts agents as they are rescued by Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Elektra in her Daredevil attire. They escape into the sewers as Daredevil mentions how he used Purple Man's children to make the world forget his true identity. Captain America tells Daredevil not to blame himself for Mayor Fisk's actions. At the Baxter Building, Homeland Security arrives with the NYPD claiming to Reed Richards and Susan Storm of their suspicions that the Baxter Building is harboring weapons of mass destruction. Before Reed and Susan can retaliate, Doctor Octopus appears and places power dampener collars on them. He and Mayor Fisk persuaded the government that Reed worked for the work to look the other way and states that they now must come with them as a Thunderbolts unit shows up. Susan manages to get a Code X7 out to Human Torch, Thing, Franklin Richards, and Valeria Richards causing them to evacuate and get to Alicia Masters and the kids with her. Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and their child Danielle Cage hear about the arrests. As they witness the crashes and rescue the trapped people, Shocker arrives demanding their surrender after he defeated Darkhawk. After subduing Shocker which is filmed by spectators, Luke Cage speaks out against Mayor Fisk. Mayor Fisk appoints Byron "Butch" Pharris as New York's new Kingpin as Butch speaks to his partner Mike Murdock. After packing their necessities, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Danielle Cage are picked up by Tony Stark as he is planning to run for mayor. Doctor Octopus contacts Mayor Fisk about the inventions that he found in Reed Richards' lab. Mayor Fisk receives a trapped Purple Man as Mayor Fisk starts to talk to him where he mentions that Purple Man's children want him dead. After opening Purple Man's containment, Mayor Fisk strangles him to submission. It is also shown that Mayor Fisk is planning to run for President of the United States.^[1]

At the Rand Corporation, Danny Rand informs Luke Cage on the phone that he is not Iron Fist anymore. The call is interrupted when Crossbones appears with the Thunderbolts agents. As Danny fights with the Thunderbolts agents, Luke suggests that they go rescue him as Tony Stark states that they should meet up with Captain America first. At Mayor Wilson Fisk's home, he is approached by Elektra in her Daredevil attire. He has a brief talk with her before she flees. At the decommissioned Avengers Mansion, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Tony Stark, Daredevil, Miles Morales, and Steve Rogers arrive where Tony and Luke have some kids that filmed their arrival delete the footage as they are witnessed by one of the Purple Children. At the Daily Bugle, Spider-Man finds Taskmaster and Whiplash holding Robbie Robertson and the rest of the staff hostage as Taskmaster states that the person who hired him has an incomplete file on Spider-Man as Taskmaster fights Spider-Man. At the Myrmidon, Reed Richards and Susan Storm are trying to get through to their lawyer as Susan states that she saw Iron Fist getting processed. Susan saves Reed from getting stabbed as the guards break up the fight. In the sub-basement of City Hall, Mayor Fisk meets with Doctor Octopus as they reference the time when Doctor Doom used Purple Man to control the world as it shows Purple Man's body in a diamond-shaped container. Doctor Octopus' invention would help coerce the people of New York. Mayor Fisk states that he'll handle the rest. With the special Neuro Blockers to keep him safe from the Purple Man's influence, Doctor Octopus states that his part of the job is done. Elektra is in the forest as Kraven the Hunter pursues her. In the sub-basement of Avengers Mansion, Tony starts to make plans to go against Mayor Fisk like running against him in the mayoral election. Luke states that he should be the better candidate to run against Mayor Fisk which everyone else agrees on. Spider-Man continues his fight with Taskmaster as Whiplash is goaded into attacking him. Despite being weakened by Whiplash, Spider-Man tries to ask Taskmaster if they can take it outside as Taskmaster places a power dampener collar on him and throws him out the window. Spider-Man uses his webbing to slow his descent to the ground as the Thunderbolts agents move in on him. Meanwhile, Doctor Octopus makes use of Reed Richards' inter-dimensional gate where he brings over version of himself like Hulk from Earth-8816 who has two sets of arms growing from his back, a version of Ghost Rider from Earth-1666 with chain-tentacles coming out of his back, and a version of Wolverine from Earth-9712 with immensely sharp blades on the tentacles coming out of his back. Doctor Octopus then considers his plans "Superior".^[2]

Ben Reilly is being interrogated by Commissioner Kyle who tortures him until Human Torch and Thing come to his rescue. Luke Cage hold a rally to announce his mayoral campaign in the presence of Jessica Jones and Foggy Nelson. At the Myrmidon, Susan Storm is talking with Kristen McDuffie who mentions that the Myrmidon is adding an assault charge to her and Reed Richards. She states to Kristen that they have to put a stop to this before there is another Superhuman Registration Act. A guard tells Kristen that her time is up as she secretly slips a device to Susan. In Doctor Octopus' lab, Purple Man quotes to Mayor Wilson Fisk about his plans to use his powers to brainwash the voters to re-elect him. As Purple Man notes to Mayor Fisk that this is about Daredevil, both of them come to the conclusion that the Purple Children made everyone forget Daredevil's true identity. Doctor Octopus is contacted by Mayor Fisk about the Purple Children as Doctor Octopus states that he is occupied at Reed Richards' laboratory, but can work on modifying Purple Man's confinement when they have been found. After the call, Doctor Octopus tells Hulk of Earth-8816, Ghost Rider of Earth-1666, and Wolverine of Earth-9712 that they will see some action soon. At the decommissioned Avengers Mansion, Captain America notes that Captain Marvel and Thor are off-world as Miles Morales states that they can't break the legal system and Daredevil talks about Luke Cage's campaign. As Jessica figures out that Mayor Fisk is using Purple Man, Daredevil states that they have to take action immediately. As the Thunderbolts agents hunt for the Purple Children, they take shelter with an old lady. Later that night, the superheroes arrive at City Hall where they are attacked by Doctor Octopus' Superior Four as Mayor Fisk watches from the window. Captain America discovers that Iron Man is actually Chameleon in disguise who Doctor Octopus was going to use to take part in the mayoral election on his behalf. As Doctor Octopus summons his Octo-Bots, Foggy Nelson is attacked in his office by Mayor Fisk's men.^[3]

Two weeks later, Doctor Octopus has released thousands of his Octobots in order to enforce Mayor Wilson Fisk's zero-tolerance policy, effectively wiping out all crime in the city. He and Wolverine of Earth-9712 visit Mayor Fisk as Doctor Octopus informs him that Butch Pharris has been arrested for his criminal activities. Daredevil visits Foggy in the hospital, encountering his brother Mike Murdock (who was posing as Matt) who informs him that Butch has been arrested and that he wants to help take down Mayor Fisk. He also encounters Kirsten McDuffie who asks how Foggy is doing. Mayor Fisk instructs U.S. Agent, Agony, Electro II, Rhino, Taskmaster, and Whiplash into bringing the children to him as Mary arrives wanting to help Mayor Fisk. Meanwhile, Susan Storm uses the device to remove her collar, meeting with Reed Richards and breaking out of the Myrmidon with Moon Knight, Danny Rand, and Tony Stark. Fisk uses his status to have Butch released and they argue with Butch subsequently spitting in Fisk's face and leaving. The Champions members Ms. Marvel, Miles Morales, Nova, Ironheart, and Viv Vision battle Rhino. They are apprehended by the Octobots, but Rhino gives them all Thunderbolt badges, warding away the Octobots. He explains that he is not here to fight. He states that Mayor Fisk wants the Thunderbolts to track down a group of children and that he wanted to tell a hero of this. Miles returns to the Avengers' hideout, informing them that Mayor Fisk may be after the Purple Children. This angers Jessica Jones as the remaining Avengers conclude that Mayor Fisk intends to use the Purple Children to control the entire city. After another talk with Mary, Mayor Fisk inadvertently discovers that his cane has the ability to restore people's memories. Upon going to the roof, he uses it on himself enabling him to remember Daredevil's true identity.^[4]

Now that he remembers who Daredevil is, Mayor Wilson Fisk is informed by James Wesley that the Thunderbolts found the Purple Children in a residential building and asks if should give the go ahead. Mayor Fisk tells him, "Do it. Casualties be damned". U.S. Agent leads Thunderbolts members Agony, Electro II, and Whiplash into raiding the building. While one Purple Child immobilizes U.S. Agent with his abilities, Electro II shocks them. As U.S. Agent reports that he is bringing them in, Jessica Jones and the Thunderbolts are attacked by the Champions until the Thunderbolts' latest member Abomination shows up stating that Mayor Fisk has some information that he needs. This forces Jessica and the Champions to retreat. As Mike talks with Butch, Mayor Fisk is informed by Doctor Octopus that he has locked up the Purple Children in a similar container as Purple Man. As the Purple Children have been drained of their energy which is used to super-charge Purple Man, Mayor Fisk uses his mind-control cane to have Hulk of Earth-8816 escort Doctor Octopus out of the building and releases Purple Man to kill every superhero. Luke Cage is informed by Jessica on what happened. The Purple Child Joseph informs everyone that Mayor Fisk must be killed to be stopped. Kristen McDuffie contacts Daredevil informing him of an uprising in the Myrmidon. After Hulk of Earth-8816 comes to his senses, the rest of the Superior Four show up with the Thunderbolts as they are confronted by the superheroes alongside Purple Man and a group of brainwashed civilians. As Mike Murdock arrives at Butch's apartment, he is ambushed by Mayor Fisk, who mistakenly identifies him as Matt. Fisk angrily starts to beat him to death when Kristen suddenly arrives.^[5]

Subplots[]

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear[]

After her visit to Mayor Wilson Fisk, Elektra in her Daredevil attire meets up with Matt Murdock where he learns about her visit. After making out with Matt while recalling her training with Stick, meeting Aka of the Hand, and training with the Hand where she finished off one Hand ninja with one of her sais, Elektra has coffee with someone as she sees Aka in the streets. Upon making it to the forest, Elektra in her Daredevil attire encounters Aka as jumps off a cliff. Back on the road, Elektra swerves off the road due to a deer appearing on the road. After recovering, Elektra finds a dart in one of the tires, puts on her mask, and goes hunting for what appears to be Aka only to avoid a trap. She finds the culprit responsible in the form of Kraven the Hunter who is looking for a challenge.^[6]

Kraven the Hunter mentions that he is looking for a challenge and wants to take on Elektra who holds the title of "World's Deadliest Assassin". As Elektra states to Kraven the Hunter that he is being used, Kraven the Hunter states that he knows that she took her file from Mayor Wilson Fisk and it will benefit them both. Kraven the Hunter mentions how Mayor Fisk told him about how Elektra betrayed Daredevil once and was associated with the Hand. After Kraven the Hunter intercepts one of Elektra's attacks, the police arrive responding to the car accident. Kraven the Hunter flees to obtain something golden to keep up his insurance policy while Elektra subdues the police and makes off in their police car. After a flashback with Aka, Elektra finds that Kraven the Hunter got to Goldy as she is attacked by the Thunderbolts unit. After fighting them off, Elektra catches up to Kraven the Hunter and Goldy as Aka is shown watching from the rooftops. When the Thunderbolts agents catches up, Kraven the Hunter quotes to Elektra that Mayor Fisk also gave him the law.^[7]

Elektra engages Kraven the Hunter in battle as Goldy and the Thunderbolts agents stand back. When Kraven the Hunter manages to punch Elektra, Goldy throws a snowball at him as the Thunderbolts agents restrain him. Elektra manages to kick Kraven the Hunter before entering a school. He pursues Elektra and is defeated by her as Aka appears noting that Elektra is still trying to recruit Matt Murdock. Aka then disappears as Elektra notices that the Thunderbolts agents are clearing the school. Borrowing a jacket from a student, Elektra meets up with Goldy who states that Matt Murdock was killed in his apartment. She vows to make Mayor Fisk pay for this as Goldy notes that it's always part of the plan.^[8]

Devil's Reign: Superior Four[]

Doctor Octopus has formed the Superior Four with his Multiverse counterparts in the form of Hulk of Earth-8816 (whose real identity is Otto Banner), Ghost Rider of Earth-1666 (whose real identity is Otto Blaze), and Wolverine of Earth-9712 (whose real identity is Otto Howlett). He mentions that he has gone through an evolution after his tenure as Superior Spider-Man and that he plans to span the Multiverse and establish a Council of Ocks from every version of Doctor Octopus he can find. The other three Ottos claim that the result can cause a paradox as Doctor Octopus claims that they are a fixed variant like the ones for Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange. Doctor Octopus takes his Superior Four to Earth-5069 where they encounter Iron Scab who demands that they leave his universe. The Superior Four do away with Iron Scab. Doctor Octopus' tentacles failing to work causes the Superior Four to flee Earth-5069. Back on Earth-616, Otto Blaze claims to Doctor Octopus that magic was responsible with Doctor Octopus forgetting his deal with Mephisto. As Doctor Octopus continues his research in order to find a better solution, Otto Banner, Otto Blaze, and Otto Howlett talk about how their fates will intertwine with the other Ottos. Doctor Octopus and Otto Banner state that they should get some insight on their Multiverse counterparts. Doctor Octopus then states that out of the 3,409 variants of himself, there is one out of all realities that knows how to defeat the Superior Four. Arriving on Earth-2902, the Superior Four arrive in it's forested city area and cause a disturbance to draw out Doctor Octopus' variant in this reality. They encounter a variant of Otto in recolored Spider-Man-like attire named TJ. He operates as Spider-Ock and is familiar with Earth-616 and the history of each of his variants. They beat him badly as Spider-Ock states that they had tormented pasts while his father died. Doctor Octopus uses a synthetic blood-parasite from Earth-5069 on Spider-Ock to claim his knowledge enough to disintegrate him. Doctor Octopus tells the rest of the Superior Four that they got a several thousand to go. On Earth-7214, Doctor Octopus leads the Superior Four in attacking it's Atlantis where they encounter Supreme Octopus.^[9]

There are views of different versions of Otto Octavius who were died. One died of an accident that Norman Osborn covered up. One was beheaded by a laser from President MODOK. One was addicted to gamma radiation where his brain failed at puberty. One got lost in the forest and was found eaten by a wolf. This was viewed by Supreme Octopus who is tasked with keeping his counterparts in line. At the Baxter Building, Doctor Octopus gazes into the different parts of the Multiverse when he is contacted by Supreme Octopus to cease and desist. Hulk of Earth-8816 interrupts Doctor Octopus as he, Ghost Rider of Earth-1666, and Wolverine of Earth-9712 argue with him about the paradox that Doctor Octopus caused. The portal suddenly sucks the Superior Four to Earth-7212 where some type of mass-extinction event occurred due to sulfur being in the air. A tsunami then occurs as the Superior Four are caught in it. Ghost Rider of Earth-1666 claims that the Multiverse is seeking atonement for the Superior Four's meddling. Doctor Octopus is then teleported to the Savage Land on Earth-8969 where he is ensnared by Supreme Octopus who considers himself superior to Doctor Octopus where he mentioned that he liquefied Shuma-Gorath, made Dormammu grovel, and burned Knull to ashes. The rest of the Superior Four are brought to Earth-8969 where neither of them want to follow Supreme Octopus. Despite what the Superior do, they are unable to beat Supreme Octopus. Hulk of Earth-8816, Ghost Rider of Earth-1666, and Wolverine of Earth-9712 turn against Doctor Octopus and help Supreme Octopus to rip off Doctor Octopus' tentacles. Doctor Octopus is then locked up with a skeleton and carnivorous plants in Supreme Octopus' mobile base called the Supreme Sanctorum.^[10]

There is a brief history of the creation of a Man-Thing with tentacles that end with the heads of carnivorous plants. In his cell on Earth-8969, Doctor Octopus is confronted by a tentacled Man-Thing who frees Doctor Octopus. He figures out that this Man-Thing is a variation of himself. Meanwhile, Supreme Octopus shares some of his history with Hulk of Earth-8816, Ghost Rider of Earth-1666, and Wolverine of Earth-9712 claiming that an army of Ocks is both a success and a failure. He reveals that his real name is Otto Werner von Strange and that he is the last and remaining variant of a long and tireless war. Having maintained a Multiversal balance, Supreme Octopus is in need of an heir or some heirs as he has stopped a Doctor Octopus while having obtained an army of Ocks. Meanwhile, Doctor Octopus tries to get his Man-Thing counterpart to help him as the Man-Thing bonds to him and serves as his guide through the Sanctum Supreme. Supreme Octopus explains that every Doctor Octopus variant has tried to ruin what he has built. Supreme Octopus has Hulk of Earth-8816, Ghost Rider of Earth-1666, and Wolverine of Earth-9712 see the Multiverse as it is like how a version of Doctor Octopus from Earth-7214 is an Atlantean whose kingdom Supreme Octopus sunk to keep his bio-weapon from being complete as well as their flaws. As Supreme Octopus uses his magic to restrain Hulk of Earth-8816, Ghost Rider of Earth-1666, and Wolverine of Earth-9712 so that their worlds can be reset, Doctor Octopus and Man-Thing arrive as Supreme Octopus states that he done the impossible while claiming that he can remake him into the Superior Spider-Man. He stated that he was the one who whispered in Doctor Octopus' ears on how to summon Mephisto and that he can grant him his Superior Spider-Man life back. As Doctor Octopus restrains Supreme Octopus, he explains that his Man-Thing counterpart traveled the Multiverse and freed him from his cell. Supreme Octopus summons his armor. Hulk of Earth-8816 breaks free as he is advised by Ghost Rider of Earth-1666 and Wolverine of Earth-9712 to force Supreme Octopus to send them home. They break free and help Doctor Octopus into knocking out Octopus Supreme. The Man-Thing variant then detaches from Doctor Octopus as it is introduced by Doctor Octopus as the source of his paradox. Using Supreme Octopus' body, the Man-Thing variant opens a portal back to Earth-616. Back in the Baxter Building, Doctor Octopus heads off to build himself a new set of tentacles while Hulk of Earth-8816 beings to work on rebuilding the portal. Using a translation device, the Man-Thing variant wants it's agreement honored. When the rest of the Superior Four ask what agreement it's talking about, Doctor Octopus states that it wants to euthanized naturally so that it would sever the paradoxes. After building another set of arms, Doctor Octopus enters the rebuilt portal to euthanize the Man-Thing variant alone. Once that was done and having noted to himself that Supreme Octopus would one day seek revenge on him, Doctor Octopus returns to Earth-616 and makes a counter-offer with the Superior Four by stating that they can rid New York City of crime better than the police and the superheroes where he gives Hulk of Earth-8816 a special pill to devolve his Hulk form, travel to Hell with Ghost Rider of Earth-1666 and retrieve his soul while finding out what happened to Doctor Octopus' mind, and arrange for Wolverine of Earth-9712 to be a citizen on Krakoa. The Superior Four are seen attacking a smuggling operation involving Savage Land biotech. On Earth-2902, it was discovered that Doctor Octopus actually released the Man-Thing variant in Fresh Frond City as it starts to evolve into a form similar to Spider-Ock as the civilians mistake him for Spider-Ock in a new look.^[11]

Spider-Woman[]

After Lindsay McRabe was hurt, Spider-Woman fights the Thunderbolts agents and Thunderbolts members Coachwhip and Puff Adder. Despite having a broken arm, Spider-Woman fights them off to get Lindsay to safety. Later, a Thunderbolts agent visits Lindsay McRabe's hospital room in order to get the details on who attacked her. This turns out to be Jessica Drew in disguise as she tells the doctors to take care of her. Spider-Woman then interrogates the captive Thunderbolts agent whose outfit she borrowed. He claims that Lindsay was like that when they found her as Spider-Woman prepares to use her broken arm to attack. At Gracie Mansion, Mayor Wilson Fisk is given a status update before Spider-Woman arrives. Both of them engage each other in a fight. He states that someone else has been dealing with her. In a flashback to Ravencroft, Mayor Fisk visits a cell to find out about Spider-Man. As the Thunderbolts agents arrive, Spider-Woman figures out who Mayor Fisk is talking about as Spider-Woman claims that she's supposed to be dead. Mayor Fisk states that Norman Osborn kept his "trophy" where Mayor Fisk provided a storage place. Spider-Woman then flees the area. The captive Thunderbolts unit member then breaks free from the ropes and is revealed to be a thought-to-be-dead Veranke. In the form of Spider-Woman, Veranke visits Linda Carter wanting to see her "child" Gerry.^[12]

Gerry figures out that the Jessica Drew at the door isn't her real mother as Linda Carter also asks about the cast that she is supposed to be wearing. Spider-Woman catches up to Veranke as a Thunderbolts unit truck escapes with Gerry. Spider-Woman instructs Linda to help Lindsay. As Veranke still has the same powers as Spider-Woman, she has become out of practice due to how long she was locked up by Norman Osborn after using her death as a cover-up. When Spider-Woman catches up to the Thunderbolts unit truck, Iron Man shows up to help only for Spider-Woman to see that it is Veranke in disguise. After Gerry escaped, Spider-Woman encounters the real Carol Danvers and Spider-Man with Gerry identifying the imposter Danverse. Spider-Woman uses a point blank venom blast in Veranke's face as she advises Carol to lock her up somewhere on the garbage scow. At the hospital, Jessica apologizes to Lindsay about what happened. Somewhere across the street, a sniper named Mr. O'Nay informs Octavia Vermis that he has Spider-Woman in his sight. Vermis instructs Mr. O'Nay not to attack Jessica after having found out about her fight with Veranke. She wants to give Spider-Woman a break before she can attack with her group called the Anti-Arachnine that also consists of Aeturnum, Rose Roché, and the Los Espadas Gemelas De Toledo.^[13]

Devil's Reign: Villains for Hire[]

At a MET Gala, the Humanity Liberation Front attacks in retaliation for what is happening with the world. Just then, Thunderbolts members Agony, Electro II, Rhino, Taskmaster, and Whiplash arrive where they defeat the Humanity Liberation Front. Later at the police department, the Thunderbolts members get impatient waiting for their next assignment. They get into a fight with each other until Mayor Wilson Fisk arrives to break it up. He sends them to find the person responsible for the attack on the gala where the suspect is hiding somewhere in Gowanus. The Thunderbolts raid a warehouse where some of it's members are hiding and badly defeat them as the culprit claims that the law has gone soft back when J. Jonah Jameson was the Mayor of New York City. Afterwards, the Thunderbolts are in Mayor Fisk's office as U.S. Agent shows up stating that he reporting for duty.^[14]

Mayor Wilson Fisk sends the Thunderbolts out of his office as U.S. Agent informs him that he wants to be part of the Thunderbolts to keep it's members in line while claiming "I don't walk the line. I don't cross the line. I am the line". When the Thunderbolts attack jewelry store robbers in animal masks, some of them are killed or badly beaten up until U.S. Agent arrives stating that he is now in charge of them as he beats up Electro II, Rhino, Taskmaster, and Whiplash to serve as his only warning to them. Then he confronts Agony who is suspicious of him. While in the alley, U.S. Agent is revealed to be secretly working with the FBI to find anything incriminating on Mayor Fisk. At Mayor Fisk's rally, U.S. Agent and the Thunderbolts deal with a mind-controlled crowd. As Agony advises Mayor Fisk to leave before the crowd attacks him, Mayor Fisk notices that the crowd has changed. The culprit is one of the Purple Children as Electro II gets mind-controlled. As a lot of people are shocked, Rhino subdues Electro II as anyone not mind-controlled films the incident.^[15]

U.S. Agent advises the Thunderbolts to get Electro II away from the area before she goes nuclear. Mayor Wilson Fisk is loaded into his limo as he advises U.S. Agent to keep the Thunderbolts in line and clean up the mess. U.S. Agent and Agony encounter the culprit called Conviction who claimed that Mayor Fisk kept her trapped in Ravencroft trying to reproduce the Purple Children's power. After a brief scuffle where Conviction got away, U.S. Agent and Agony meet up with Mayor Fisk and the rest of the Thunderbolts to mention about their encounter with Conviction. Mayor Fisk then assigns them to find the Purple Children as James Wesley gives them trackers. As Rhino doesn't want to hunt children, Mayor Fisk brings in Abomination as his replacement and mind-controls U.S. Agent to oversee the assignment as the Thunderbolts hunt down the Purple Children. When they are found, they are confronted by Jessica Jones and the Champions.^[16]

Devil's Reign: X-Men[]

In the past, Kingpin has killed some men in the shower as he instructs James Wesley to send Elektra as the person he wants dead is out for Emma Frost. At a nightclub, Emma Frost mind-controls her way to Mr. Loufex to speak about their mutual friend Kingpin. In the present at Seneca Park, U.S. Agent and the Thunderbolts agents are outside the New York hideout of the X-Men as Rogue contacts all points about who's at their door as U.S. Agent demands the X-men's surrender. As Emma Frost goes to the United Nations building, U.S. Agent is met with resistance from Polaris. Mayor Fisk is informed of the situation with the X-Men and their diplomatic immunity. Cyclops in his Captain Krakoa attire, Jean Grey, Rogue, Synch, and Wolverine prepare to head to give up the Seneca Gardens and face the music. Captain Krakoa, Jean Grey, and Rogue state to U.S. Agent that they aren't going to fight them in front of the cameras. Just then, Thunderbolts members Agony, Electro II, Rhino, and Taskmaster arrive as backup for U.S. Agent where Electro II shocks Polaris when U.S. Agent asks which way his shield went. As Rogue asks Rhino what Gambit would think of him working for Mayor Fisk, Jean Grey stops Polaris from retaliating against Electro II as Taskmaster offends Wolverine by calling her a pretender. Jean Grey then speaks to U.S. Agent who wants to report the X-Men's "illegal structure" to the Parks Department. Just then, Emma Frost shows up with an order from the U.N. to not violate a structure from Krakoa. Wesley informs Mayor Fisk on what U.S. Agent informed him as he tells Wesley to send a message to the Thunderbolts to leave the X-Men to him. U.S. Agent withdraws the Thunderbolts from Seneca Park. Mayor Fisk has Wesley summon the chief of detectives about a murder of a young woman where they can implicate a "rich and powerful woman of privilege".^[17]

A news bulletin states that Emma Frost has been connected with a cold case murder. At the law offices of Harris, Oppenheim & Gallagher, Emma Frost is told by her lawyers that the case against her isn't great as Emma states that she has never committed child abuse. Emma Frost then takes the time to recap on using an illusion of Invisible Woman, having a drink with Tony Stark, sending a telepathic message to She-Hulk that her client is guilty, and a visit to Nick Fury. She plans to settle the case. Years ago at the Hellfire Club, Emma Frost is visited by Elektra who needs help with a witness to one of Elektra's missions. She takes Emma Frost to the witnesses apartment. In the next apartment over, some criminals are attacked by a black-suited Spider-Man. Emma Frost evacuates the witness Isabelle as Elektra and Spider-Man fight the criminals. After reading Spider-Man's mind, Emma Frost advises him to help Elektra. Loading Isabelle into her limousine, Kingpin's men take some pictures as the newspaper states "Frost's Cold Case? Missing Girl Last Seen Alive With White Queen". In London, Emma Frost brainwashes some police officer into going for a swim in the river. She gets ambushed by Union Jack who plans to have her extradited back to New York City while asking if she did kill an orphan.^[18]

As Union Jack hands Emma Frost over the police, she turns the tide against them by throwing the power-dampener collar on a police officer and having two dogs attack Union Jack. She proceeds to break free and make the police officers spar with each other. After Emma Frost releases the dogs and makes her way underground, Union Jack tells the police officers that he knows where she is heading. Emma Frost arrives at the London Hellfire Club where she meets up with Isabelle. After learning from Emma Frost on why she can't mind-wipe Mayor Wilson Fisk, Isabelle mentioned that Elektra trained her in some combat skills before disappearing. Union Jack then raids the building with a SWAT Team as Isabelle starts fighting Union Jack. Isabelle then stabs a SWAT officer in the leg as she meets up with Emma Frost in the basement. Moments later, Emma Frost and Isabelle arrive on Krakoa. After a spa day, Emma Frost meets up with Ben Urich where the Daily Bugle prints out an article stating "Mayor smears Frost". Mayor Fisk states to the press that Isabelle is alive and well. At the offices of Harris, Oppenheim & Gallagher, Emma is informed that she still has arrest warrants in country's that don't recoginize the Krakoa amnesty deal until further notice. She instructs them to have the finance team slowly and quietly buying stock in the insurance company. Then Emma mind-controls Typhoid Mary when she confronts Mayor Fisk where she claims that his life will come crashing down one day. She then takes her leave stating that Typhoid Mary will awaken with no memory of this encounter.^[19]

Devil's Reign: Winter Soldier[]

Mayor Wilson Fisk is informed by James Wesley that Gracie Mansion is secured and Typhoid Mary is away. He has been having sleepless nights since the new law has passed. Winter Soldier infiltrates Gracie Mansion to steal some files when he is confronted by Mayor Fisk. As Mayor Fisk goes on the attack, Winter Soldier works to dodge his attacks while holding his file. As Gracie Mansion is partially-collapsed, James Wesley returns with the NYPD and finds Mayor Fisk near the rubble stating that he had a wonderful dream. After burning some files, a wounded Winter Soldier makes his way to an alley with his own file. Now that he has a purpose, Winter Soldier vows that whoever wrote this file won't survive the year and states that he'll "sleep when they're dead".^[20]

Moon Knight[]

In light of Moon Knight getting arrested by the Thunderbolts, Dr. Badr meets with the Moonlight Mission where he substitutes as "Doctor Moon". He and Mr. Flint find that several people were slain by crossbows which leads them to suspect that Stained Glass Scarlet is responsible. While it was claimed that Stained Glass Scarlet was dead and that someone might've inherited her legacy. Reaching the church in the South Bronx where Stained Glass Scarlet was supposedly killed, Doctor Moon encounters Stained Glass Scarlet who claims that she is reborn as she goes on the attack. After a brief fight, Doctor Moon manages to get away. Back at the Midnight Mission, Dr. Badr informs Reese about these recent events. At Ravencroft, it is discovered that a patient is not in their cell as a guard tells his co-worker that the inmate is an ex-Hydra assassin/terrorist with a four digit count and nearly turned Taipei into glass before his' defeat. Knowing the description of the inmate, the guard initiates a red alert that states that Rutherford Winner is on the loose.^[21]

Devil's Reign: Spider-Man[]

At the police department, Marcus Momplaiser of Beyond Corporation has been informed by Commissioner Kyle that Spider-Man has been sprung from their custody by Human Torch and Thing. After being sprung out by Human Torch and Thing, Ben Reilly as Spider-Man is ambushed by a Thunderbolts agent who places a power dampener collar on him in order to easily transport him to the Myrmidon. After breaking out of the transport, Ben contacts Janine Goodbe while Marcus Momplaiser has been ambushed by Richard Fisk in his Rose alias. Rose is confronted by two Thunderbolts agents who state that Spider-Man got away. After driving away the Thunderbolts agents, Rose goes to Plan B and prepares to torture his Marcus. Maxine Danger comes in where he tells Ben Reilly that the weapon he recovered from the Thunderbolts agents was stolen S.H.I.E.L.D. technology. After being told about Rose, Ben is approached by Misty Knight and Colleen Wing who state that Rose has been selling the stolen S.H.I.E.L.D. technology on the streets and that Marcus Momplaiser has been abducted. Rose has been unable to get any useful information out of Marcus and will still have a use for him. Becoming Spider-Man, Ben Reilly finds the Thunderbolts agents arresting someone dressed as Spider-Man. Spider-Man defeats the Thunderbolts agents and finds out that Marcus was dressed as Spider-Man as he advises Spider-Man to get away. Just then, Rose appears with the same S.H.I.E.L.D. weapon and attacks Spider-Man where he reveals that he spiked Marcus' Spider-Man costume with electrodes which he uses to shock them. Before Rose can finish of Spider-Man, Marcus uses one of the Thunderbolts agents electric sticks which helps him to knock out Rose. Back at Beyond Tower, a recuperating Ben is visited by Marcus who advises him to take the time to recuperate. The Thunderbolts agents bring to the NYPD someone in a Spider-Man outfit. He is unmasked by Commissioner Kyle to be a gagged Rose with the words "Here's Johnny" on the tape that's over his mouth.^[22]

Devil's Reign: Moon Knight[]

At the Myrmidon, 8-Ball is in his cell mentioning on how he has fought Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Sleepwalker, and Spider-Man and also recalls how he died and was revived by Hood. This information he reveals to his cellmate. In the cafeteria, 8-Ball is unable to get a seat with the Wrecking Crew, the Enforcers, and the Death-Throws. When sitting at a table alone, he is confronted by one inmates. He causes 8-Ball some trouble before being fended off by 8-Ball's cellmate who gives a statement that causes the inmate to run. 8-Ball figures out that his cellmate is Moon Knight who is not sitting with his fellow incarcerated superheroes. Moon Knight is informed by 8-Ball that Man Mountain Marko is the "king of the cage". Moon Knight then attacks the inmates that he had engraved the moon icon on and advises them to remind him later what names they went by. Later on, Moon Knight is grabbed by a Thunderbolts agent who drags him to the showers. He is thrown in and confronted by the inmates. When the Thunderbolts agent opens the door, Moon Knight comes out having defeated the inmates and that he wants a shot at the title. His first bout is against Boomslang who he defeats. Bout #3 shows his victory against Mr. Fish. Bout #5 has him victorious against Killer Shrike and . Bout #6 is against Massacre where Moon Knight is victorious. Then it comes to the title match in Bout #7 against Man Mountain Marko. When Man Mountain Marko asks if Moon Knight is ready to die, Moon Knight stated that Raoul Bushman did that first. Man Mountain Marko gives Moon Knight a hard time as Moon Knight recalls his Mr. Knight alias meeting Man Mountain Marko's ex-wife Judith Cort and how their daughter has started taking after her father powers and all. After that flashback while not wanting Man Mountain Marko to go after his daughter, Moon Knight beats Man Mountain Marko into surrender as he advises him not to go after his ex-wife or his daughter if he gets out as he won't see them again. Moon Knight proceeds to induce blindness on Man Mountain Marko as the Thunderbolts agents come in. After an altercation, Moon Knight is placed in solitary confinement in chains as 8-Ball mops up outside his cell. Moon Knight states that the incarcerated superheroes will go after Mayor Wilson Fisk when they get out.^[23]

Issues involved[]

Main series[]

Title	Issues	Writer	Artist	Colorist	Debut date	Conclusion date
Devil's Reign	1–6	Chip Zdarsky	Marco Checchetto	Marcio Menyz	December 8, 2021[24]	March 30, 2022[25]
Devil's Reign: Omega	1	Chip Zdarsky, TBA	Rafael de Larorre, TBA	TBA	May 18, 2022[26]

Tie-in issues[]

Title	Issues	Writer(s)	Artist(s)	Colorist	Debut date	Conclusion date
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear	1–3	Chip Zdarsky	Rafael de Latorre	Federico Blee	January 12, 2022[27]	March 2, 2022[28]
Devil's Reign: Moon Knight	1	Jed MacKay	Federico Sabbatini	Lee Loughridge	March 2, 2022[29]
Devil's Reign: Spider-Man		Anthony Piper	Ze Carlos	Erick Arciniega	February 23, 2022[30]
Devil's Reign: Superior Four	1–3	Zac Thompson	Davide Tinto	Matt Milla	January 12, 2022[31]	March 9, 2022[32]
Devil's Reign: Villains for Hire		Clay McLeod Chapman	Manuel Garcia	Dono Sanchez-Almara	January 19, 2022[33]	March 23, 2022[34]
Devil's Reign: Winter Soldier	1	Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly	Nico Leon	Felipe Sobreiro	January 26, 2022[35]
Devil's Reign: X-Men	1–3	Gerry Duggan	Phil Noto		January 19, 2022[36]	March 23, 2022[37]
Moon Knight (vol. 9)	8	Jed MacKay	Alessandro Cappuccio	Rachelle Rosenberg	February 9, 2022[38]
Spider-Woman (vol. 7)	18–19	Karla Pacheco	Pere Perez	Frank D'Armata	January 12, 2022[39]	February 2, 2022[40]

Reception[]

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References[]