I’m sorry for the delay in posting this review, which I started writing on February 18. I ran out of time before going on vacation and I’ve only now found a minute to spare to sit down and finally post it. I will return to blogging when I get back home, on March 3. Thank you for your patience.
Daredevil #505 cover
I got two comics today. Aside from Daredevil, the other item on my pull list was Spider-Woman. While I don’t want to piss on other writers (and I do like Spider-Woman just fine), I have to say that Diggle and Johnston delivered much more than Bendis did today. This “more” being something that can be measured in both plot and something as simple as how long it takes to read the comic. Daredevil #505 is a hearty meal of a comic with tons of dialogue and plenty of intrigue. No scenes are wasted, and the issue is well-paced.
What is becoming abundantly clear with this issue is that Matt has clearly bitten off more than he can chew taking over the Hand. Suffice it to say that he didn’t take evil ninja management in college, and it shows. Being Matt Murdock, he is charmingly (yes, it really is a bit charming) oblivious to his inability to make things go the way he wants, and without a clear picture of what’s going on, he’s in a precarious position.
While Matt is busy dealing with ninja politics, the reader is treated to quite a bit of intrigue and in-fighting between the various branches of the Hand. There are lots of new characters introduced this issue, but they are presented well, and the layered plot never gets too complicated for the reader to follow. We see the obvious bad guys being bad guys, and the less obvious bad guys revealed as less innocent than they would appear. It’s a great start to this arc and it feels like the beginning of a new chapter despite also building on what came before.
This issue also gives us some answers regarding what side of the hero-villain line Daredevil falls on these days, at least in his own mind. Without revealing too much, I would say that most Daredevil fans will find this development to be both reassuring and appropriate for the character.
Marco Checchetto does the artwork all by himself this issue (not counting Matt Hollingsworth on colors, of course), and manages to do a really nice job. He’s got his own clearly recognizable style that I quite like that is not as “photorealistic yet sketchy” as de la Torre’s without seeming cartoony at all. He handles both the Japanese scenery and all of the characters quite nicely, and I’m happy to have him onboard for this arc. Too bad the next issue won’t be hitting the stores until early April.
Tagged as:
Andy Diggle,
Antony Johnston,
Daredevil #500-current,
Marco Checchetto,
Reviews
Cover to Daredevil #504
This issue takes Daredevil to new levels of batshit crazy and does it in style. The final scene was one of the most shocking moments I’ve ever read in this book. However, there’s a fine line between going to new crazy extremes, and straying too far from the core of the book and the main character. With Diggle’s handling of the story, that’s not a problem, but it very easily could have been. What we get is something very exciting that has me on the edge of my seat.
With this issue, we see Matt reacting to the news of his friends’ recent string of “bad luck” (i.e. Foggy being disbarred and Dakota losing her investigator’s license), which strengthens him in his resolve to go head to head with Norman Osborn. Like I mentioned in the review of the previous issue, the current story arc is thematically similar to Bendis’s “King of Hell’s Kitchen” and those elements are even more prominent here. I’m not suggesting that this is in any way repetitive – the fact is that what we’re seeing here is much more extreme and quite different – but it does mean restoring the Daredevil to the take charge character many have been missing for the last couple of years. Of course, just like then, the main characters actions are driven by rage, frustration and a generous dose of hubris.
More ninja action under the cut –>
Tagged as:
Andy Diggle,
Daredevil #500-current,
Reviews,
Roberto de la Torre
Cover to What If? Daredevil vs Elektra
I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t generally pick up a What If? story and expect a lot of depth. Nor do I expect to have any kind of emotional reaction to it beyond the cocked eyebrow of “huh, what do you know?”. The What If? takes regular continuity, throws it out the window and goes on to tell the story of what didn’t happen. So, beyond the novelty of the format, there’s rarely much left to make the reader really care about what’s going on.
Considering the inherent limitations of a What If? story, this issue is surprisingly good. Writer Karl Bollers approaches the task by not trying to do anything ground-breaking, instead offering up interesting new takes on old characters such as Foggy Nelson, and making the kinds of nods to continuity that should appeal to any hardcore or longtime Daredevil fan. For obvious reasons, most of the story references events from the Miller run, but even frequent co-stars from the decades since then make guest-appearances.
In What If? Daredevil vs Elektra, Matt Murdock dies while saving the lives of Elektra and her father, and is raised from the dead by the Hand, taking on the name of the Advocate. Many years later, he comes back into Elektra’s life. Elektra is now an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. though very little of her backstory is revealed, which detracts a bit from the overall story. For obvious reasons, Matt – or, more accurately, the Advocate – is the most enigmatic character and while some of the superficial elements of the story would have his role as ninja leader seem similar to current mainstream continuity, very little of the character we know remains. Despite the lack of emotional connect with the Advocate, the final scene between him and Elektra is a beautiful moment and I must admit to being moved by it in ways I wasn’t expecting when I picked up this issue.
The art, with pencils by Rafael Kayanan, is good but feels a little uneven. Some scenes look messy and cluttered whereas others are strikingly beautiful. On the whole, it works quite well, and new takes on classic moments in Daredevil history are easily recognizable.
At the end of the issue is an extra feature by Mike Gallagher and Dave Manak called Say What? which offers a humorous look at the events of the main feature in comic strip style. While it had its moments, I must say that it would have been more enjoyable (and not out of place) if the subject for the comic strip had been the characters from the 616 continuity, rather than their What If? counterparts.
All in all, this issue wasn’t stellar, but still delivered more than I expected. It appealed to my inner fangirl and even made me care about the characters and events.
Tagged as:
Dave Manak,
Karl Bollers,
Mike Gallagher,
One-shots and limited series,
Rafael Kayanan,
Reviews
Cover to Daredevil #503
Yeah, this was good. While Daredevil #502 had some of the typical qualities of a middle of the arc issue, this one sees a lot of things happening on several fronts. All good stories are driven by conflict, and in a Daredevil-leading-the-hand-while-Norman-Osborn-rules-the-world kind of setting, conflicts are all over the place, and even the regular, more grounded, cast from Matt Murdock’s civilian life are seeing the consequences of civilian disobedience.
This issue seems much longer than it is. It’s got several important scenes in it which are all given enough space to develop, and every single one reveals new layers of intrigue. We have Daredevil talking it out with Master Izo, and White Tiger airing her concerns to both Daredevil, and Black Tarantula. The Kingpin is really stepping it up a notch and Detective Kurtz (at least I think that’s him) inspecting a crime scene that doesn’t make sense to him.
The last scene of this issue struck me as being very similar thematically to some of the things we saw in Bendis’s King of Hell’s Kitchen story arc. Matt’s actions are more extreme here, but so are the circumstances of the Marvel Universe. I get the feeling that Andy Diggle has a firm grasp of, and an appropriate level of respect for, Daredevil continuity, and that’s crucial at this point considering how far away from the status quo we are. So far, this story arc really works for me, precisely because Diggle manages to mix the new developments with old themes that give the reader a sense of familiarity even while moving through unexplored territory.
Roberto de la Torre is getting help this issue from artist Marco Checchetto, and the transitions between the two are clearly visible, though not necessarily jarring. Checchetto’s art lacks the almost dreamlike qualities that we’ve become used to with the new creative team, but feels very Daredevil appropriate (and am I the only to notice how good he is at rendering hands?). Meanwhile, de la Torre is reaching new heights, and I love the look of this book right now. I also have to give him props for restoring Becky Blake to the hottie on wheels she was in her very first appearance (before Miller turned her into a frumpy wallflower). The only thing I’m curious about is how he would draw Matt, who hasn’t been seen out of costume since the Dark Reign – The List one shot penciled by Billy Tan.
All in all, this issue leaves me with a good idea of what’s going on, but no clue about what’s going to happen next, which is really exciting. What can I say, it’s a good time to be a Daredevil fan!
Tagged as:
Andy Diggle,
Daredevil #500-current,
Reviews,
Roberto de la Torre
Cover to Daredevil #502
The new creative team keeps up the high level of work from last issue with Daredevil #502. In some ways, I would even say that they manage to crank it up a notch. However, this issue has a slightly disjointed feel to it that brings the score down a bit for me. The whole manages to pack less of a punch than the sum of its parts, if that makes sense. Many of the scenes in this issue are absolutely wonderful on their own, but the overall plot feels like it’s stalling, just a little.
I always like to read other people’s reviews before writing my own, not because I can’t think of anything to say, but because it’s interesting to see what kinds of things other readers react to. This time around, a certain reversal of events mid-issue has had reviewers bemoaning the inability of writers to truly advance the status quo while acknowledging the hazards of making a character into something he’s not. Since I’m no stranger to advance solicits, I was expecting this particular chain of events, and I have to say that it’s really the only way to go. I’m all for shaking things up with this character and his book, but we need to remember that there are certain core values and characteristics we’ve come to associate with Daredevil and his cast. These cannot simply be tossed to the side without losing something important in the process. On the contrary, this issue solidifies my belief that Diggle has a firm grasp of the character and his motivations.
Read more under the cut –>
Tagged as:
Andy Diggle,
Daredevil #500-current,
Reviews,
Roberto de la Torre
Daredevil 191 cover
Nope, I didn’t consult the random number generator for this one. Daredevil #191 was reprinted in Daredevil #500, and while including old content might be considered padding (well, it is), this Frank Miller classic was a very good choice. In fact, Daredevil #191 may well be my favorite single issue of Daredevil, or at least in the top three.
For starters, the art makes me take notice in a way most issues do not. Unusual angles, perspectives and panel layouts combined with the generous use of negative space makes Roulette an interesting-looking issue. It provides sufficient detail while guiding the reader along.
The story itself is told mostly in the form of a monologue, as Matt Murdock pays a visit to a the hospital bed of the now paralyzed Bullseye. Unable to move, or even speak, Bullseye has no choice but to listen to what Daredevil has to say, his first order of business being to introduce Bullseye to a game of Russian Roulette.
More Roulette under the cut –>
Tagged as:
Daredevil vol 1 #151-200,
Frank Miller,
Reviews
Cover to Daredevil #501
When I first heard Brubaker and Lark were leaving Daredevil, I was sad to see them go since I felt they had done such a great job with the book. Granted, they had turned it into an incredible depressing book, but the stories were well-crafted and beautifully illustrated, and I’m not ashamed to say I’ve been a hardcore fan of their work. However, I always try to approach change with an open mind, and decided to put my faith in Andy Diggle from the start. Daredevil is a great character who often seems to bring out the very best in his creators, and Diggle had the kind of resume that suggested he might be a good fit.
Still, I must admit that I let out a deep sigh of relief after reading Daredevil #501. The Dark Reign: The List – Daredevil one-shot that effectively bridged the gap between the events of Daredevil #500 and the current issue of the monthly series was good, but it didn’t leave me fully convinced. But, as of right now, I’m comfortably seated, buckled in and along for the ride. Daredevil #501 is gorgeous to look at, features characters that sound like themselves, and gets the ball rolling nicely with a final scene that I would best describe as interesting in that things-are-not-what-they-seem sort of way.
More Daredevil #501 under the cut –>
Tagged as:
Andy Diggle,
Daredevil #500-current,
Reviews,
Roberto de la Torre
This is a strong and promising first outing by Andy Diggle, but not without its faults. The pacing feels a little quick (probably due to the one-shot packaging), and there are a couple of rough spots in the story that stand out to me.
The issue does manage to do what it’s supposed to do though, and that is give us a better sense of the new status quo, and provide proper motivation for Osborn to want to put Daredevil on his infamous list. It also reveals several new plot points that will provide plenty of creative fodder for upcoming stories.
Bullseye, on an Osborn-approved mission to kill Daredevil, is expertly written throughout, and you can tell that Diggle has a lot of experience with the character, who manages to provide humorous relief while seeming appropriately menacing. After Bullseye has managed to breach the Hand’s inner sanctum and saved Daredevil the mental agony of having to kill an opponent as part of his Hand initiation, Bullseye puts words to a thought that’s probably on many readers’ minds: “So lemme get this straight — you wanna be the leader of a ninja assassin death cult, but you won’t kill? What were you going to do, send out a memo?”
Wanting to do more to Daredevil than just kill him, Bullseye decides to take their fight to a larger stage where their actions are guaranteed to affect more than just the two of them, and these events. which I won’t go into here, have a profound effect on the title character.
The art, by Billy Tan, is quite competent (not counting the panel where Matt looks like Beavis – or is it Butthead? – from Beavis and Butthead), but doesn’t quite suit a Daredevil comic, and probably adds to this particular issue feeling just a little too much like standard superhero fare.
The preview pages from Daredevil #501, however, look absolutely stunning and just right for the book. Great choice picking Roberto de la Torre for the job, and it’s great to see Matt Hollingsworth still providing the colors for the ongoing series. But it’s not just the art that looks more appropriate, it’s also a joy to see that Diggle’s writing feels more solid too. While Dark Reign – The List: Daredevil was a good enough issue, Daredevil #501 looks vastly more promising. I can’t wait to check it out!
Tagged as:
Andy Diggle,
Billy Tan,
Reviews,
Roberto de la Torre
I was quite delighted to see which issue was next in line to get the Random Reviews treatment as this is one of my favorites from the Bendis/Maleev run. It’s exciting, funny, and even sensual.
Background
This arc starts in issue #61 when the Black Widow comes back to town after being called in when out on assignment. Madam Hydra has been apprehended in Bulgaria and their government is refusing to turn her over to the Americans unless Natasha is turned over to them. Natasha returns to New York and decides to hide more or less out in the open and crashing the place of friend and former lover Matt Murdock. He, meanwhile, has his own set of problems in the wake of having his secret revealed to the world, and being separated from Milla who has filed for an annulment. In the previous issue, Matt has received a tip from Ben Urich that regular Punisher foe Jigsaw is involved in some shady business and that the police have decided to lay low, giving Matt and Natasha the chance to go out and play…
Description: Matt and Natasha are at the docks, both in costume. They are hiding from Jigsaw who is spraying them with bullets, but neither one seems worried by this. Jigsaw hysterically calls out “I saw you!” to which Natasha jokingly responds by asking Matt “Do you think he saw us?”
Read more under the cut –>
Tagged as:
Alex Maleev,
Black Widow,
Brian Michael Bendis,
Daredevil vol 2 #1- 100,
Reviews
Christine is a thirty something Daredevil fan from Sweden who spends way too much of her free time writing posts for this blog. Check the
The Price
by Christine on January 3, 2010 in Commentary, Older Issues
Hey there! Glad to see you made it into 2010. For my first post of the year, I thought I’d take a closer look at one of those issues that usually ranks pretty high on many people’s lists of memorable Daredevil issues. It’s cheesy, cute, not perfectly logical, but an uncommonly emotional read. What am I talking about? Daredevil #223, The Price, by Denny O’Neil and David Mazzucchelli.
Published in the fall of 1985, The Price was a tie-in to Secret Wars II, featuring the mysterious Beyonder, a character as well known for his jheri curls and distinctly 1980’s look as for his background story. To make a long story short, the Beyonder is a very powerful alien being who is visiting Earth in search of enlightenment. While it’s the Beyonder’s desire to find a legal means to own the entire world(!) that brings him to the law offices of Nelson & Murdock – and thus gets the story going – this issue is very much about the title character. Matt is taken on an emotional roller-coaster when the Beyonder gives him his sight back as a retainer to persuade him to take the case.
The Beyonder materializes in Foggy's office
Less Beyonder and more Matt under the cut –>
Tagged as: Daredevil vol 1 #201-250, David Mazzucchelli, Denny O'Neil, Reviews
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