Daredevil #511 (Marvel, December 2010, $2.99)
Writer: Andy Diggle, Art: Roberto De La Torre, Colors: Matt Hollingsworth, Letters: VC's Joe Caramagna, Cover Art: John Cassaday and Laura Martin.
Published during the fourth month of the Shadowland storyline, the story arc was already well underway, so this issue is kind of a trial by fire. In Hell's Kitchen, the Hand has withdrawn to their castle, and citizens are rioting. Mayor Jonah Jameson sends in the riot police as Dakota North, private investigator ("One side, jackholes!"), looks for Foggy Nelson in the crowd. She meets up with NYPD Detective Alex Kurtz, and they discuss what's been happening in the city—helpful exposition—before North remembers a friend needing help.
Wheelchair-bound Becky tries to get out of a building filling with gas fumes while Nelson bravely scales the walls and roof of the castle to save his friend Matt Murdock. North rescues Becky, but Nelson encounters the White Tiger (p. 19, last panel, meow!), who takes him before what seems to be a possessed Daredevil.
Despite its island in the stream nature as a standalone read, the issue is a fun read. De La Torre's art is grittily realistic and adequately dark for the subject matter, and the action passable without the longer story arc.
According to a U.S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation in this issue, Marvel printed about 46,000 copies of each monthly issue of Daredevil in the 12 months leading up to Sept. 30, 2010.
Availability: This issue has been collected in Daredevil: Shadowland Omnibus and the trade paperback Daredevil: Shadowland. We also recommend the original Dakota North: Design for Dying miniseries.
This issue comes from the Henry's Green Cape collection of comics. Thank you for your donation!
Showing posts with label Daredevil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daredevil. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
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.
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.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Where Your Actions Bring You
Daredevil #28 (Marvel, December 2017, $3.99)
Having recently read a batch of older Daredevil back issues, let's see where the current series is—and how it compares to 40-plus years ago. This issue, written by Charles Soule, opens with Daredevil in China, where his soul has just been given to the Beast, which now owns Daredevil and finds him a "great enemy" of the Hand.
Ron Garney's artwork reminds me of John Romita, Jr., and Frank Miller's runs on the titles, and some of the panels and pages—including the borderless p. 4—are quite delightful. Despite his mother's philosophy ("Whatever you do does not matter, because the moment you do it, it is the past. All that matters is where your actions bring you.") the potential traitor Sam Chung—Blindspot—returns to rescue Daredevil, as does his mother Lu Wei. The end scene's commentary on immigration to the United States and political developments in New York City are timely and will lead to some interesting future story arcs.
The comic is worth reading! The Beast and Tongue of the Beast remind me of Daredevil going up against Blackheart and Mephisto, as well as the Dire Wraiths—which, incidentally, inspired the creation of the battle suit worn by the Daredevil villain the Torpedo. The martial arts and philosophizing remind me of Master of Kung Fu—not a bad thing.
Availability: You can buy this issue online. The start of Soule's run on the book is collected in Daredevil: Back in Black Vol. 1: Chinatown.
Having recently read a batch of older Daredevil back issues, let's see where the current series is—and how it compares to 40-plus years ago. This issue, written by Charles Soule, opens with Daredevil in China, where his soul has just been given to the Beast, which now owns Daredevil and finds him a "great enemy" of the Hand.
Ron Garney's artwork reminds me of John Romita, Jr., and Frank Miller's runs on the titles, and some of the panels and pages—including the borderless p. 4—are quite delightful. Despite his mother's philosophy ("Whatever you do does not matter, because the moment you do it, it is the past. All that matters is where your actions bring you.") the potential traitor Sam Chung—Blindspot—returns to rescue Daredevil, as does his mother Lu Wei. The end scene's commentary on immigration to the United States and political developments in New York City are timely and will lead to some interesting future story arcs.
The comic is worth reading! The Beast and Tongue of the Beast remind me of Daredevil going up against Blackheart and Mephisto, as well as the Dire Wraiths—which, incidentally, inspired the creation of the battle suit worn by the Daredevil villain the Torpedo. The martial arts and philosophizing remind me of Master of Kung Fu—not a bad thing.
Availability: You can buy this issue online. The start of Soule's run on the book is collected in Daredevil: Back in Black Vol. 1: Chinatown.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Dark Streets and Mysterious Science
Daredevil #70 (Marvel, November 1970, 15 cents)
"The Tribune" Presenter: Stan Lee, Story: Gary Friedrich, Illustrators: Gene Colan and Syd Shores, Letterer: Sam Rosen.
On Hollywood Boulevard, movie star Buck Ralston gives a political speech that takes patriotism to an extreme before suggesting that now actress Karen is a communist—and that he and his friends need to "get rid" of "pinko crumbs." Back in New York, Daredevil goes to a protest at the Hilton, where the vice president becomes the target of a bombing.
Ralston reveals himself as the Tribune, a "new kind of judge... to decide who's a good American... and who's a rotten red." He sentences a draft dodger to "the living death" just before Daredevil—back in New York—almost stops another bombing, which leads to a young passerby being falsely accused. The Tribune's comments to his gang suggest that the coast-hopping will end next issue when the two plot lines are expected to intersect.
All in all, a solid issue. In the letter column, Martin Pasko writes in to say that Marvel's dialogue is more natural than DC's, and that he supports multi-issue story arcs. Neat to see his letter of comment!
Daredevil #78 (Marvel, July 1971, 15 cents)
"The Horns of the Bull!" Editor: Stan Lee, Writer: Gerry Conway, Artist: Gene Colan, Inker: Tom Palmer, Letterer: Sam Rosen.
Matt Murdock continues to pine over actress Karen Page, now in her first movie, A Tender Affair. He answers a cry for help and saves a young couple from being abducted for "an experiment of some sort," "for guinea pigs." At least he does the first time!
This is quite an issue. Dark streets, mysterious science, the introduction of a new villain, relationship challenges with Foggy and Karen, and innocents in danger. Where will it go?
"The Tribune" Presenter: Stan Lee, Story: Gary Friedrich, Illustrators: Gene Colan and Syd Shores, Letterer: Sam Rosen.
On Hollywood Boulevard, movie star Buck Ralston gives a political speech that takes patriotism to an extreme before suggesting that now actress Karen is a communist—and that he and his friends need to "get rid" of "pinko crumbs." Back in New York, Daredevil goes to a protest at the Hilton, where the vice president becomes the target of a bombing.
Ralston reveals himself as the Tribune, a "new kind of judge... to decide who's a good American... and who's a rotten red." He sentences a draft dodger to "the living death" just before Daredevil—back in New York—almost stops another bombing, which leads to a young passerby being falsely accused. The Tribune's comments to his gang suggest that the coast-hopping will end next issue when the two plot lines are expected to intersect.
All in all, a solid issue. In the letter column, Martin Pasko writes in to say that Marvel's dialogue is more natural than DC's, and that he supports multi-issue story arcs. Neat to see his letter of comment!
Daredevil #78 (Marvel, July 1971, 15 cents)
"The Horns of the Bull!" Editor: Stan Lee, Writer: Gerry Conway, Artist: Gene Colan, Inker: Tom Palmer, Letterer: Sam Rosen.
Matt Murdock continues to pine over actress Karen Page, now in her first movie, A Tender Affair. He answers a cry for help and saves a young couple from being abducted for "an experiment of some sort," "for guinea pigs." At least he does the first time!
This is quite an issue. Dark streets, mysterious science, the introduction of a new villain, relationship challenges with Foggy and Karen, and innocents in danger. Where will it go?
Thursday, November 09, 2017
A Solidly Serious Hero
Daredevil #28 (Marvel, May 1967, 12 cents)
"Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Planet!" Writer: Stan Lee, Artist: Gene Colan, Inker: Dick Ayers, Letterer: Sam Rosen.
When Matt Murdock's identity as Daredevil is compromised in the previous issue, the best he could come up with at the time was that he's not really Matt, but Matt's brother Mike, a bit of a goofball who is, in fact and all actuality, Daredevil. But not Matt. Um... OK.
Murdock maintains the ruse to throw off Karen Page and Foggy Nelson, who is strongly crushing on Karen. Then he continues to Carter College, where the attorney is scheduled to lecture on the possible legal rights of aliens, should there turn out to be UFOs. Professor Tom Brewster, who contends he's previously encountered aliens, does so again—attracting the attention of Daredevil.
As goofy as the Matt/Mike aspect is, the alien threat is very real, and they plan to steal the sight of everyone on the planet. Luckily, Daredevil's already blind. Kind of a strange, "monster of the week" issue, but enjoyable all the same.
Read Also: Daredevil #27
Daredevil #29 (Marvel, June 1967, 12 cents)
"Unmasked!" Writer: Stan Lee, Artist: Gene Colan, Inker: J. Tartaglione, Letterer: Sam Rosen.
Murdock intends to propose to Karen—but can't decide whether to do so as Matt or the erstwhile Mike. (Just how long does this dual identity play out?) The Boss assumes leadership of the mob formerly led by the Marauder—which then kidnaps Karen.
I am confused why Daredevil arrives pretending to be Murdock pretending to be Daredevil, before escaping only to return and fight both gangs as Daredevil proper. The whole forced dual identity thing is just too goofy. There's a sketchbook-like page that comments on consciously deciding not to include sound effects and thought balloons, a Stan Lee cameo, and a crazy Not Brand Ecch-like panel: "Snap! Snap! Va-Voom! I feel as giddy as a guppy in a goblet!"
Daredevil as comedian? Hmm...
"Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Planet!" Writer: Stan Lee, Artist: Gene Colan, Inker: Dick Ayers, Letterer: Sam Rosen.
When Matt Murdock's identity as Daredevil is compromised in the previous issue, the best he could come up with at the time was that he's not really Matt, but Matt's brother Mike, a bit of a goofball who is, in fact and all actuality, Daredevil. But not Matt. Um... OK.
Murdock maintains the ruse to throw off Karen Page and Foggy Nelson, who is strongly crushing on Karen. Then he continues to Carter College, where the attorney is scheduled to lecture on the possible legal rights of aliens, should there turn out to be UFOs. Professor Tom Brewster, who contends he's previously encountered aliens, does so again—attracting the attention of Daredevil.
As goofy as the Matt/Mike aspect is, the alien threat is very real, and they plan to steal the sight of everyone on the planet. Luckily, Daredevil's already blind. Kind of a strange, "monster of the week" issue, but enjoyable all the same.
Read Also: Daredevil #27
Daredevil #29 (Marvel, June 1967, 12 cents)
"Unmasked!" Writer: Stan Lee, Artist: Gene Colan, Inker: J. Tartaglione, Letterer: Sam Rosen.
Murdock intends to propose to Karen—but can't decide whether to do so as Matt or the erstwhile Mike. (Just how long does this dual identity play out?) The Boss assumes leadership of the mob formerly led by the Marauder—which then kidnaps Karen.
I am confused why Daredevil arrives pretending to be Murdock pretending to be Daredevil, before escaping only to return and fight both gangs as Daredevil proper. The whole forced dual identity thing is just too goofy. There's a sketchbook-like page that comments on consciously deciding not to include sound effects and thought balloons, a Stan Lee cameo, and a crazy Not Brand Ecch-like panel: "Snap! Snap! Va-Voom! I feel as giddy as a guppy in a goblet!"
Daredevil as comedian? Hmm...
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