Shadowland #2

The battle for New York begins as battle lines are drawn and war forges strange allies. Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Spider-Man, Moon Knight and...Kingpin?! Plus, a dangerous new player enters the battle, one that could win the fight...or damn all of New York!

The second installment of Shadowland opens in Hell's Kitchen. The events of the previous issue are covered. A lone undercover cop remarks to himself about what Daredevil has done. He recalls the construction of Shadowland, the Hand ninjas patrolling the streets and in search of some of his fellow officers who are missing. He shatters the glass in his own taxi and the Hand ninjas are instantly on the scene.

Next, we head to a soup kitchen owned by Danny Rand. He and Luke Cage are discussing the actions of Daredevil and whether or not Bullseye deserved what he got. Cage calls it murder while Rand attempting to remain optimistic says you could say it was self defense. Cage disagrees saying Murdock's actions are only bringing fear to Hell's Kitchen and he breaks up a scuffle in the soup kitchen.

The Kingpin and Lady Bullseye enter the soup kitchen. Fisk says he wants to return Hell's Kitchen to legitimate authority and Luke & Danny scoff at his "noble" intentions. Fisk reiterates Cage's statement about fear ruling the streets and says they're going to have to take down Daredevil.

The story moves to Daredevil's throne room in Shadowland. Black tarantula approaches him and says wallowing in guilt isn't necessary. Daredevil says he feels no guilt or anything. Black Tarantula asks him what he needs and Daredevil says they need reinforcements. They need to expand their area of control and Black Tarantula questions the entire martial law governing Hell's Kitchen. Daredevil says he expects him to follow his orders without question. He is to invite all costumed heroes to join the Hand or become their enemies.

Back to Midtown. Kingpin and Lady Bullseye are apparently taking part in a mystical ritual. There is a pentagram shaped object on the floor and the Kingpin has an ancient scroll in his hand. Lady Bullseye says she had to slay many hand ninjas to obtain it. Kingpin says that the ritual has been prepared and all that remains is the final incantation. This will summon the Zugaikotsu warrior. Lady Bullseye says he is one of the Hand's most ancient enemies and should be feared. She says he seeks to control him like a child's plaything. Fisk says all men must bend to his wield and the ancient warrior was a man once.

Fisk utters the incantation in Japanese and Lady Bullseye questions if anything happened or not. Fisk says he can hear it and its getting closer. He says she may wish to duck as something crashes through a nearby window. Fisk is shocked and Lady Bullseye says not to look at it's eyes. The demon asks, "What the hell is this?" Fisk says, "Oh ancient one, hear me now. A great injustice has been done in the city. Voices cry out in darkness." The demon cuts him off and says "You may cut the masterpiece theater talk fat man. Voices crying out for what?" Fisk simply replies..."What else? Vengeance."

Once again we go back to Shadowland. White Tiger with Hand ninjas confronts Luke cage, Iron Fist, Shang Chi, Misty Knight & Colleen Wing. She says that Daredevil sees no one and Shadowland is off limits to civilians. Then we go back to Daredevil's throne room. Daredevil assumes they've reconsidered his offer. The group of heroes says they just wanted to talk. Murdock says there is nothing to discuss and the other heroes argue with him over his recent tactics. At this moment Spider Man enters the throne room from a nearby window.

Finally we go to the Shadowland dungeon. The cop from the first part of the issue is behind bars with some of his fellow officers. They discuss the rumors swirling regarding Shadowland. The officer regurgitates a lock pick and escapes his cell. He decides to check out the layout of the prison before freeing anyone else. As he looks around they hear a rumble. One of the officers says it sounds like a dinosaur. "Worse" says the cop. Ghost Rider has entered Shadowland. He easily dispatches some of the Hand ninjas with Hellfire. Laughing hysterically he races upward.

Finally, Daredevil is notified they've been breached. Daredevil blames it on Iron Fist, Luke Cage and friends. He says he knew they couldn't be trusted. He orders the Hand to take them down. This issue closes with Cage, Iron Fist, Shang Chi, Spider-Man, Colleen Wing and Misty Knight throwing down with DD, Black Tarantula, White Tiger and Hand ninjas....