The Greatest Power In The Marvel Universe Is Now A Massive Story-Breaker

Warning: contains spoilers for Devil's Reign #4!

The greatest power in the Marvel Comics Universe is more powerful than readers have realized, and it has the potential to break every single story ever written. The current Marvel event Devil's Reign centers around the use of this power by the Kingpin, who has only now realized the true potential. Now in Devil's Reign #4, the power of the Purple Man threatens to tear reality apart.

In Devil's Reign, the Kingpin outlaws all superheroes activity in New York City. All heroes are now fugitives and are hunted down and arrested by Wilson Fisk's own Thunderbolts (villains who were once used in Civil War for the same sinister purpose). In addition, the Kingpin plans to use the powers of the Purple Man, Zebediah Killgrave (of Jessica Jones fame), to influence others in his bid for the Presidency of the United States. But one thought still haunts him: the inability to remember Daredevil's real name.

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At the end of the fourth issue, the Kingpin accidentally uses the Purple Man's power on his wife Mary. Astoundingly, the power works - Mary remembers memories long forgotten. This gives Fisk an idea, and he dashes outside his apartment in the rain, and uses the Purple Man's power on himself. Again, it works, and the Kingpin suddenly remembers that Daredevil is in fact Matt Murdock. Note that the memory block was implemented through the Purple Man's power in the first place (through Daredevil), but the fact remains that Killgrave's ability can allow individuals to remember old memories. Can it implant new ones?

The possibilities are seemingly endless after this moment. Kilgrave's power can now be used on oneself; does this mean that anyone who harnesses the Purple Man's power can grant themselves new skills at will? The ability to overcome deep-seated fears and phobias? In a positive use of the power, it could be used to overcome childhood trauma - though it's highly unlikely the Kingpin will use the ability in a beneficial manner.

The Purple Man's power successfully harnessed, the Kingpin is effectively unstoppable to anyone who can be persuaded. If the power can be used to attain knowledge one has previously removed from one's mind - or grant new knowledge - the story-breaking potential is enormous. The Marvel Comics world rarely uses Kilgrave, but perhaps it's for the best, given the enormous potential of his ability.

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Source: Screenrant