Civil War II Kingpin 4 NM Variant Cover Kyle Baker Marvel 1st pr Matt Rosenberg

Description

Civil War II Kingpin #4 Baker Variant Cover Marvel Comics

Publisher: Marvel Comics

(W) Matthew Rosenberg
(A) Ricardo Lopez Ortiz
(CA) Kyle Baker

He may be a criminal, but Wilson Fisk is a self-made man. He’s worked hard to secure his empire. He built it from the ground up.
And now that Fisk knows one of his men has betrayed him in an attempt to take away his life’s work, he’s prepared to give his all to put an end to the mutiny.
After all, you don’t become the KINGPIN of crime without breaking a few rules and a lot of blood, sweat and tears…

This is the sleeper hit of Civil War II-Hands down. Watching Wilson Fisk rail against the powers set against him and stave off the traitors inside his own organization is really something to see. For years we’ve been told just how vicious this crime boss can be, we’ve even caught more than a passing glimpse during Bendis’ run on Daredevil – but this is a Kingpin of a different color. This is a mastermind that is not only willing to get his hands dirty, but prefers them soaked in blood.

By the end of this issue there is no doubt who runs NYC. Wilson Fisk plays S.H.I.E.L.D. like a fiddle and has the elite spy force inadvertently take out a number of his competitors as the big man recuperates from a stabbing he suffered last issue at the hands of the Punisher. He is a prisoner of S.H.I.E.L.D. but through a master stroke of deception he ends up more powerful and untouchable by the end of his stay with the covert group. He even cheats the rumors of his own death.

It’s with the rumor of his death that we really start to see the impact of Fisk’s reach. Every hero and villain in New York reacts to the news, some in stunned silence, and others in wild jubilation. This has been Fisk’s city that no one goes untouched from the news. But it’s with his return that we watch the KINGPIN in all his full glory, clean house inside of his own organization as he handles the traitor Janus and his men. It’s a blood filled whirlwind that doesn’t stop until everyone involved has been killed by Fisk’s own hands.

I also want to tip my hat to the art team who has done an amazing job on this mini-series. Ortiz and Sherman have provided bizarre, action filled panels that truly made this a joy to read. Their offbeat style brings energy to every panel that grips your attention and makes you stare at the page.

This is how Wilson Fisk should always be in comics. Brutal. Brilliant. Bloody.

Near mint, 1st print. Bagged & Boarded.