Double the Daredevil, Double the Fun?
Issue 27 and 28 came out very close to each other, so as I read both around the same time, I decided to combine them in the review. This also worked out well as the current run was a three-part story and it seemed like a no-brainer. As a whole the story was great, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it may have been a filler storyline as it seemed a little rushed, and the ending teased a pretty big shakeup in the world of Daredevil.
The second issue in the three-part story was mainly concerned with filling in the reader with information that they have missed if they came into the comic late (HEY! That’s me). This included the backstory for the secondary character/ villain that seemed to fully encompass the last few months if not a year in the life of Matt Murdock. A major theme throughout the three issues is the lust for the “American Dream”. The primary antagonist grew up in slight poverty in rural China and his hard upbringing is told in detail while he monologues to Daredevil about why he became the way he is. It provides drive and passion while also being relatable or at least understandable when it comes to his primary reasons for what he has become. Desperation and hopelessness are major themes and make the character development compelling and I have to commend Charles Soule on writing an intriguing narrative. My only problem with the story is that when it comes to certain part in the story, a character has a massive change of heart and almost complete change in personal drive, in about three to four panels and it seems jarring. The character in question does a complete 180 and it seemed a little rushed to me, which is troublesome as it comes near the end of the final issue and makes the ending abrupt.
The art in both issues was very consistent and still had a very Frank Miller feel (which I still feel is perfect for Daredevil) and although it shouldn’t be a big concern, I couldn’t shake the feeling that all of this was created at the same time and was definitely filler. Aside from the semi-rushed feeling when it comes to some character development, the issues were still great. The cliff-hanger at the end of the issue is very interesting and I can’t wait to see if the comic and its feeling change when the character is back at home in New York and is set more personal.