Stayed on Message

Daredevil #595 (Marvel, January 2018, $3.99)
Written by Charles Soule and drawn by Stefano Landini, this issue—a special Legacy issue and part one of the "Mayor Fisk" story arc—sports a cover by Bill Sienkiewicz. While I'm not sold on Landini's artwork (it's not quite photorealistic, but similar to rotoscoping or traced photography), I did enjoy several artistic moments, including pp. 8-9 and the representation of DD's sonar on p. 10, pp. 13-14. and p. 17. Overall, Landini adequately captures the dark realism of the series and character.



So it's the story that sings here. Perhaps not as ideal as #28 was, this issue still trips some prime Daredevil triggers for new and long-time readers alike. "How the hell did the Kingpin become the mayor of New York City?" In part, it could be a parable for our current presidency (in fact, some of Soule's writing even suggests that that's the case—"Fisk never denied it. Never even addressed it. Just stayed on message.").

Fisk's even ordered the District Attorney's office to investigate the vigilantes in the city, including Daredevil. Matt Murdock is personally assigned that case, perhaps to encourage him to find other work. On Daredevil's nightly rounds of Hell's Kitchen, he is entrapped by police officers impersonating a mugger and its victim, and arrested. Fisk is meeting with Hammerhead, one of the Maggia crime bosses, as DD approaches his office. Daredevil and the new mayor of New York City meet briefly—and the manhunt begins.

The issue also features one of 53 Marvel Value Stamps and a three-page origin retelling written by Robbie Thompson and drawn by Rod Reis. Interestingly, on the Digital Copy Offer page, Marvel breaks down the title's Legacy numbering—which is very helpful indeed.

Availability: You can buy this issue online. Soule's run on the title continued in Daredevil: Back in Black Vol. 2: Supersonic.