Shadowland #2

There are two arguments to be made here.  The first revolves around the badassery of Daredevil.  He just killed Bullseye (and there’s an associated issue covering the fallout from that; tune in tomorrow!), that is definitely an act that rates highly on any metric.  On the other side, Daredevil seems to have become a touch unhinged…

Is this a case of absolute power corrupts absolutely?  The seeds for this were laid in Shadowland #1: Matt Murdoch has declared marshal law in Hell’s Kitchen.  More importantly its his martial law, an important distinction.  This is ruffling the feathers of friend and foe alike.

The story trundles along nicely until at a certain point actions speak louder than words.  It is certainly a memorable exchange though I barter you will find yourself torn as to where to stand in this particular argument.  The art is fitting for the story being told but deep down I wanted something grittier, I wanted Frank Miller back on this book.  I know it’s a case of “if wishes were fishes” but this is the treatment the book deserved.  Grit and grime to suit the crime.

This art just doesn’t deliver the same punch.  Highly recommended otherwise. -Bretzke

Shadowland #1

It’s easy in comics to observe pages and arcs of stories unfold with endless dramatic conclusions, only to have it all reset to a baseline norm for the continuity in question, rendering the entire ‘event’ null.  This can leave a reader jaded and skeptical.  This leads to grander and more dramatic events, with the same result.  An arms race develops between titles to have grander spectacles, only with equally grand resets.  To Brand New Day it, as it were.

Shadowland could be one of these things, but I hope so dearly it isn’t.  Matt Murdock is back from Japan and he’s guarding his people like Cerberus in front of Hades; Hell’s Kitchen hasn’t had it this good before, but some are worried that this is the tipping point to totalitarianism.  Regular peasantry this is not, the worried party in question is The Avengers.  Intentional capitalization.

To assess the level of discontent within Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist are dispatched to investigate.

Upon their arrival, the climax to the book, a certain ne’er-do-well gets what can only be called the epic treatment.  Upon gazing at this page, one should remember so much from a single image.  Do you need a reminder?  Try here.

I think it’s safe to assume Shadowland is the real thing.  A line has been crossed.  We can’t go back. -Bretzke

Daredevil #507

It’s a shame that Daredevil is heading back to New York, his time in Japan has been thoroughly entertaining.  Daredevil (the title) presents a gritty and noir-esque tale of betrayal whereby the powers of the individual players don’t overly get in the way.  ’What?’ I hear you say, ‘Powers get in the way?!’.  Let me explain.

Daredevil is a book driven by story and that alone.  It could be about any kung-fu character working his way through a narrative.  That Daredevil has his abilities is secondary to everything else that is going on.  Take a moment and think about your other titles; X-Gender while driven by story, involves the powers of the individual characters at an explicit level, same with Spider-Man and definitely with Iron-Man.  Daredevil is about a lawyer vigilante who is trying to make things right.

The current arc is about Daredevil going to a dark place to do dark things, in the hope that the righteous are served.  The art flies off the page and you can feel the action, each punch lands firmly, each kick breaks teeth, metaphorically of course.

Daredevil may be one of the less powered individuals in the Marvel Universe, but that’s a good thing. -Bretzke

Shock horror, a surprising reveal!

I know, it’s not what we’re used to in any comic book but the final pages of DD really pack a punch.

Matt Murdock is trying to settle his House (That’s with a capital H) and get down to business; the sooner things are sorted here the sooner he can return to Hell’s Kitchen and take out the trash.  But, as always, behind the scenes there is meddling to ensure that the only thing that is settled is scores.

Between magic induced hallucinations and allies that aren’t, its going to be hard for Murdock to get out of this alive, let alone make any headway on his task.  The Hand have always been brilliant at their craft of assassination, the question remains as to whether their new leader can apply the necessary ruthlessness to deliver leadership. -Bretzke

Daredevil #506

Matt Murdock has flown to Japan to unite the 5 Daimyo of The Hand under his new, justice driven guidance.  Now, re read what I’ve put there.  Right.

Do you think this is going to go smoothly?  Short answer, no.  Long answer, also no, just more words.  Similar to the scene in Kill Bill where O-Ren Ishii asserts her domance, Matt Murdock crosses verbal swords with anyone who’ll come at him, then literal swords when he goes to make peace and amends.

Something greater is brewing here, but isn’t there always? -Bretzke

Daredevil #505

In the Marvel U, Daredevil stands as the less ‘super’ of heroes.  This is not to take anything away from the “man without fear”.  It is this palpable vulnerability that make his actions so extraordinary, and entertaining.  Further down the line now, Murdock’s actions are leading to an end game that seems insurmountable.  Perhaps a special delivery from Japan could help?  Best see to that Matt! -Bretzke

Daredevil #504

Actions have consequences.  When you take the bull by the horns… and other such phrases must be going through Matt Murdoch’s head just now.  The entertainment factor in this issue is off the scale; everything feels right and as it should in a book like this.  This isn’t what Matt wanted, but you certainly do! -Bretzke

Daredevil #503

Matt Murdoch kicks ass.  Four words that sum up this issue perfectly.  He’s taking names and sorting problems.  While the direction taken may not sit well with seasoned Daredevil readers, it certainly is thrilling.  The last words of the book, “Take them all”, said with such cold calculation sent tingles up my well jaded spine.  Read now! -Bretzke

Daredevil #502