Devil's Reign, the next chapter in writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto's Daredevil saga, will be what Marvel Comics calls a "classic-style crossover event."
The six-issue limited series is part of eight upcoming titles Marvel considers "tentpole titles" that will shape the future of the Marvel Universe in the months to come. The series begins December 1 with Devil's Reign #1, and in addition to tying into other Marvel titles, is the lead-in to an unnamed new series to follow afterward.
Longtime Daredevil and Spider-Man villain Kingpin is at the center of Devil's Reign, and this time he has a scheme to unleash "shocking truths" and "dark secrets" about some of Marvel's most high-profile superheroes that he's kept to himself for years.
Wilson Fisk is always looking to add to his power base, and the Mayor of New York City uses the powers of his office to outlaw superheroes and uses the knowledge he gained as leader of the underworld to rock the worlds of the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Captain America, and Spider-Man (which may give readers an idea what titles Dark Reign will cross over with), along with Jessica Jones and Luke Cage.
He also has a new iteration of the Thunderbolts from the recent 'King in Black' event - supervillains Crossbones, TaskMaster, Typhoid Mary, Shocker, Whiplash, Rhino, and Kraven - at his command to make life even more miserable for the heroes.
Check out this preview of Devil's Reign #1:
Devil's Reign #1
Two Devil's Reign tie-ins have already been announced: December 15's Spider-Woman #1, and January 5's Devil's Reign: Villains for Hire #1.
Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman is on Mayor Fisk's list of vigilantes to purge from New York City, and Marvel again reiterates he'll do anything to bring her down, including targeting her loved ones.
"Devil's Reign threatens everyone Jess loves and brings back one of her greatest nemeses in a way I don't think anyone will see coming. Especially not Jess," says Pacheco in the announcement of the Spider-Woman crossover issue.
Marvel promises Devil's Reign will cross over with titles from the Fantastic Four to the X-Men in subsequent months.
"Our Daredevil plan just kept getting bigger and bigger, to the point where it would clearly affect the Marvel Universe in huge ways," Zdarsky promises in Marvel's reveal of Checchetto's cover to issue #1.
"Thankfully, Marvel recognized this as well and gave Marco and I the opportunity to tell the story on a massive stage with Devil's Reign! This is a proper Marvel event springing from the pages of Daredevil and I think all Marvel readers will love what's coming!"
Checchetto has drawn the primary cover for Devil's Reign #1, with variant covers planned by Dan Jurgens, Peach Momoko, John Romita Jr., Skottie Young, Nick Bradshaw, a blank variant, and more. Here are the ones released so far:
Devil's Reign #1 covers
Devil's Reign #1 (of 6) goes on sale on December 1, with a collected edition of all six Devil's Reign issues scheduled for May 17, 2022.
The Kingpin and Typhoid Mary are among the best Daredevil villains of all time.