Many readers may associate Stan Lee with brightly colored superhero capers and humorous dialogue. However, in one of his final projects, The Devil’s Quintet: The Armageddon Code, Lee and author Jay Bonansinga take the genre in a much darker direction. The result is a thrilling, fast-paced adventure that’s sure to please fans of gritty comic book stories.
The Devil’s Quintet: The Armageddon Code is a wild ride from start to finish, with a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. New York Times bestselling author Jay Bonansinga, who is best known for co-authoring The Walking Dead novels with Robert Kirkman, takes Lee’s story and runs with it.
What makes this story stand out is its sheer darkness. The violence is brutal, the stakes are high, and the heroes themselves are far from perfect. The team is haunted by their past and all their own demons to contend with. They’re not the squeaky-clean superheroes we’re used to seeing in Marvel Comics.
Despite the bleak tone, there are still elements of classic Stan Lee storytelling here. The heroes all have distinct personalities and engaging backstories. There are also plenty of twists and turns in the plot that keep you guessing until the very end.
While this may not be a story for everyone, fans of mature comic book stories will find plenty to enjoy in The Devil’s Quintet: The Armageddon Code. Bonansinga does an excellent job of expanding on Lee’s ideas, and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It’s a shame to think that this was one of the last projects Lee worked on before his death, but it’s a fitting tribute to his legacy as a comic book icon.
In conclusion, Stan Lee’s The Devil’s Quintet: The Armageddon Code is a must-read for fans of mature, dark superhero stories. While it may be a departure from Lee’s usual fare, it still contains all the elements that made him such an influential figure in the comic book world. Bonansinga’s expansion on Lee’s ideas is brilliant, and the result is a thrilling ride that’s sure to please readers looking for something different.
Stan Lee’s The Devil’s Quintet: The Armageddon Code is the first book in the series by Lee and Bonansinga. The follow-up book, Stan Lee’s The Devil’s Quintet: The Shadow Society, drops in bookstores on May 9, 2023, while Bonansinga is hard at work on the third.