Contains spoilers for Thunderbolts #2!New Yorkers in the Marvel Universe still think Kingpin was right in banning superheroes during his war on Daredevil. During the recently-concluded Devil’s Reign event, Kingpin, the elected Mayor of New York City, passed legislation outlawing superheroes in the city. Several prominent Marvel heroes were thrown in jail but once the dust settled, Kingpin was removed from office. But, the scars of Devil’s Reign remain, as seen in Thunderbolts #2.
Devil’s Reign grew out of writer Chip Zdarsky’s run on Daredevil. Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, had been elected Mayor of New York City earlier in the run. Fisk tried to strong-arm Daredevil into revealing his identity, but when he refused Kingpin turned the heat up on the superheroes of New York City. He decided to pass laws to ban heroes. The Fantastic Four were among the heroes incarcerated. Kingpin used a number of villains in his scheme, including Doctor Octopus and the Purple Man. He also created a new team of Thunderbolts, making them the only heroes licensed to operate in the city. Kingpin’s reign came to an end, and Luke Cage was sworn in as the new Mayor.
Devil’s Reign left scars on the City, and in Thunderbolts #2 (by Jim Zub and Sean Izaakse) readers see that these scars may take a long time to heal. One of Mayor Luke Cage’s first actions in office was to establish a new team of Thunderbolts, to be led by Hawkeye. The laws banning superheroes are still on the books, meaning this new team of Thunderbolts is still the only heroes able to work in the city. As the issue opens, the team is conducting a press conference, and Hawkeye is chosen to field questions. Hawkeye was late to the conference and was initially ill-prepared for the onslaught of questions from the press. One reporter point-blank asks Hawkeye why the people of New York City should trust the Thunderbolts. Hawkeye retorts by saying the Thunderbolts are agents of the law, and are another branch of law enforcement. Unfazed, the reporter asks if having “a badge” gives Hawkeye and the Thunderbolts a license to destroy property. The press conference is cut short by an emergency—much to Luke Cage’s relief.
The Public Doesn’t Trust Any Hero
The questions Hawkeye was being asked are indicators that the scars left from Kingpin’s time in office have yet to heal–if they ever do at all. While relations between the people of New York City and the heroes that protect them are generally good, the reporter’s questions show that events of the past few months have frayed those relations. Kingpin was a master manipulator of public opinion, and when he brought the Purple Man on board to coerce the population into supporting his agenda, he gained even more control over the hearts and minds of New Yorkers. Perhaps some of this mistrust results from lingering effects from the Purple Man’s control? Whatever the case, Hawkeye and the rest of the Thunderbolts have their work cut out for them, as they hope to restore the public’s faith in their heroes.
The after effects of a number of events from the past, such as Civil War, have left scars on the Marvel Universe, scars felt for years to come. Daredevil‘s Devil’s Reign adds another, as the public now mistrusts heroes, with some still supporting Kingpin’s idea to ban them all together.
Thunderbolts #2 is now available from Marvel Comics.