DAREDEVIL #83 REVIEW

[Corey Brotherson]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/marvel/0306/DD083COV_COL.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/marvel/0306/DD083COV_COLt.jpg" align="left" hspace=10 alt="Daredevil #83"></A> Reviewer: Corey Brotherson cbrotherson@googlemail.com
Story Title: The Devil in Cell-Block D - Part Two

“They've never met the real Matt Murdock.”

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artists: Michael Lark and Stefano Gaudiano
Colorist: Frank D'armata
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Consulting Editor: Axel Alonso
Editor: Warren Simons
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Published by: Marvel Comics (www.marvel.com/)

It's the mark of a great creative team when they can still fashion an ending that shocks, even when the publisher spoils it a month before.

Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark's excellent execution will do that. Despite many of us already knowing the much talked about shocker that struck the final pages of Daredevil #82, the headlining duo still managed to shiv in a breathless climax to their superb first issue, which had them taking the baton from Brian M. Bendis and Alex Maleev with a transition of smoothness we'd associate with the Kingpin's bald head. And in this issue, the fine form is continued with such a force that you can't help but admire the team for providing such a strong opening to their run and stamping a distinctive feel to the book without displacing what preceded it.

Matt's world is in ruin. Slowly, each part of his life is being stripped away, piece by bloody piece; something that in many ways is a result of his own actions over the last few years of his life. But ultimately, these horrible consequences come from the fact this man has willingly walked the line between law and lawlessness and found himself a victim of both. It's a wonderfully powerful set-up that follows the character's rich gold mine of dichotomies. The lawyer who's a vigilante. An 'angel' who dresses like a devil. A pugilist's son who was preached pacifism. And now, a good person in the home of some very bad men.

Coming to terms with the events from the last issue, Matt finds himself deeper within the walls of his physical and mental prison, with criminals circling him hungrily for their pound of flesh. Despite this, it's ironic that the previously suffocating and deliberate sense of claustrophobia reduces as the issue goes on; and not just through seeing Matt temporarily outside his cell in the initial scenes. Through his loss, Matt now has been able to find a release, and the boundary that exists between him and his Daredevil identity is starting to crumble away more than it ever has – even nicely symbolised by his red fist, bleeding and raw from punching his cell wall. Daredevil may be physically locked up, but as Matt battles with his guilt, sense of honour and duty, and internal contradictions (through an engaging internal 'conversation' with his father), the slowly deteriorating conscious walls are falling apart, and the soul of Daredevil within him is metaphorically breaking free with each step. Something, paradoxically, Matt spent his last year fighting to disprove and ended him up in this situation in the first place.

Outside of Matt's physical prison, things conversely take a change for the more optimistic, while maintaining the ever-present shade of grey that looms in both tone and colour. There's lovely understated character moments that flow constantly through the story, with Ben Urich trying to fight his way through professional and personal responsibility, leading to some flashes of illumination. Further, the constant mystery of who has put on the Devil tights in Matt's stead continues, running in direct parallel to Matt's impulsive desire to strip away his civilian persona. Although it's been hinted that this new Daredevil's identity will definitely be uncovered by the time Marvel's Civil War event rolls around this summer, it plays to the themes of the book well and works to keep a heavy sense of intrigue going.

Coupled with Brubaker's superb grasp of the character, excellent dialogue and strong themes, is the art team's ability to present a very visually strong book that persists with a sense of realism and energy. For much of the part, a minimum of six panels are used per page, but the space is utilised so economically that the pacing never suffers. Lark and Gaudiano provide so much detail and life with each panel that things never feel squashed or too compacted. It flows beautifully, and serves to heighten the extremes of emotion shown with exemplary facial expressions and dynamic storytelling. Frank D'armata's colours can't be underestimated either. The gloomy, muted look of the book hammers in the constantly noir feel without being overwhelming or distracting. It's also worth noting that the angrier and more violent Matt gets, the redder his face becomes (from both a flush and his victim's blood) to the extent he looks more like a 'devil' than the fake Daredevil roaming the streets. A very nice touch, and something I expect to be fully played upon in the coming months.

Anyone who's still only considering to pick up this book would do well to step up that consideration; Daredevil was one of the finest Marvel publications on the stands through Bendis and Maleev, and right now Brubaker and Lark are continuing that with an unpredictable devil-may-care attitude that shouldn't be ignored.

Miss it if you dare.

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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Buy Daredevil #83 online now from X-WORLD and save! ( http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=18618)

[James Groves]

Spot on review, Corey.

I've said it in the Daredevil thread already, but I'll say it again: If every comic book was of this standard each and every issue, I would have no complaints whatsoever. The artwork is of a very high standard, and the dialogue, characterisation and narration is really top-notch, as well. I really don't mind how Brubaker has tackled the big event in this storyline, because he's done it in as realistic and natural a way as you can get, in the comic book medium. It's not the best issue of Daredevil I've ever read, but it's a further continuation of some great Daredevil storylines, nevertheless. Bendis and Maleev's run was excellent. I wonder if Brubaker and Lark's run will surpass it?

I'm a little worried that Daredevil might go the way of Batman circa the mid 1980s...but I guess if it maintains the solid standard it's set for itself, I won't be too disappointed.

[Paul Shinn]

Matt's current condition looks bleak, to say the least, but two issues in I completely trust Brubaker to handle this. Urich's final words, however futile they seemed, were genuinely rousing and hopefully go to show that Matt's not yet a Man Without Hope...

[BlingstonHughes]

Maybe it's because I'm pretty anti-Bendis, but I'm loving this series so much more now than I ever did. Brubaker's staging his grand Marvel coup, and is doing a pretty good job. Kudos.

[Corey Brotherson]

Spot on review, Corey.

Cheers, James.


I've said it in the Daredevil thread already, but I'll say it again: If every comic book was of this standard each and every issue, I would have no complaints whatsoever. The artwork is of a very high standard, and the dialogue, characterisation and narration is really top-notch, as well. I really don't mind how Brubaker has tackled the big event in this storyline, because he's done it in as realistic and natural a way as you can get, in the comic book medium. It's not the best issue of Daredevil I've ever read, but it's a further continuation of some great Daredevil storylines, nevertheless. Bendis and Maleev's run was excellent. I wonder if Brubaker and Lark's run will surpass it?


It should be interesting to see how far they go -- Bendis and Maleev's run was unexpected in both length and quality, so there's far more heat for Bru and Lark to perform under many more watchful eyes. That they're managing so far is a great sign. Given that both Bendis and Brubaker are very good crime writers always helps; it's the perfect fit. Rucka would have a fantastic choice, too, under that sort of tone. Of course, that's currently impossible, but who knows what the future may hold...


Matt's current condition looks bleak, to say the least, but two issues in I completely trust Brubaker to handle this. Urich's final words, however futile they seemed, were genuinely rousing and hopefully go to show that Matt's not yet a Man Without Hope...


But you should never forget that a Man without Hope is a Man without Fear... ;)

[ramiss]

It was the book of the week for me. Perfect balance of action,mystry and dialogues.Oh and the art was spot on too.Thank You Brubaker and Lark. :)

[James Groves]

Given that both Bendis and Brubaker are very good crime writers always helps; it's the perfect fit. Rucka would have a fantastic choice, too, under that sort of tone. Of course, that's currently impossible, but who knows what the future may hold...

I think that's a good point. Bendis is well known for his strong noir and crime fiction books, and considering that Matt's a lawyer dealing with the criminal underworld pretty much every day, you do need a writer who is strong in these areas to really get a grip on who Daredevil is - and Bendis was certainly your man. And after reading Gotham Central and Sleeper, Brubaker has the ability to really shine in Daredevil in those areas, as he did in his WSU and DCU work.

[Kurse]

I can't believe it. I kept expecting it to be a dream. Then I saw Foggy's name on the tombstone... and then I finished the issue. And hours later, I STILL can't believe it!

[Zachary J. Morrison]

I'm glad I stayed onboard because this is getting VERY interesting. It's all leading up to the mystery Daredevil and who he really is. Maybe it's Matt's twin brother copying his ever moves...Yeah right.

I can't wait to find out what's coming up next.

[stupidstufftosay]

Favorite title, hate the covers. Just me.

[James Groves]

I really like his covers. The recent Question series had some fantastic covers by Tommy Lee Edwards, too.

Maybe it's Matt's twin brother copying his ever moves...Yeah right.

Or a clone? :mwahaha:

[Ovid]

I can't believe it. I kept expecting it to be a dream. Then I saw Foggy's name on the tombstone... and then I finished the issue. And hours later, I STILL can't believe it!
Of course, we still don't know for sure if he's dead. No one's seen a body.

[James Groves]

Of course, we still don't know for sure if he's dead. No one's seen a body.

Would be a bit of a cop-out.

[Phil Hunn]

Would be a bit of a cop-out.

But it could still happen. If Bobby Ewing can come back, anybody can ;)

[James Groves]

But it could still happen. If Bobby Ewing can come back, anybody can ;)

True. But characters who have died should really stay dead - otherwise it smacks of shock value and an apparent lack of ideas on the part of the writer. It's too easy to just kill off a character and then bring them back at the end of the storyline - cheapens the impact and the value of the character at the same time.

[BlingstonHughes]

Maybe it's just the way I read it, but a lot of the scenes with the mystery Daredevil made me think it was Peter Parker in disguise, trying to help out his buddy Matt. Incredibly out of character for him to do something like that, but he and DD have old ties. Just a hunch...may be the result of an over-saturation of the character as of late.

[James Groves]

Maybe it's just the way I read it, but a lot of the scenes with the mystery Daredevil made me think it was Peter Parker in disguise, trying to help out his buddy Matt. Incredibly out of character for him to do something like that, but he and DD have old ties. Just a hunch...may be the result of an over-saturation of the character as of late.

Could be. I thought it was Echo maybe?