Advance Review: Daredevil #31 (Lgy #643)

Daredevil has been on a tear recently. The idea of Matt Murdock in prison as Daredevil is one thing, but then you have Elektra as the Devil in Hells Kitchen and Matt’s brother impersonating Matt. Throw in a new Bullseye to boot and that’s a lot of swapping identities for sure.

Having survived his most recent attack in prison, Matt is now finding his feet somewhat in his current surroundings. As he battles, literally and figuratively, Elektra has her own challenges to face. Other elements and strands, which have been in play for a while, are starting to get pulled together. Where and when will it end, I am not sure, but so far it has been a helluva ride.

Chip Zardsky, at times not my favourite writer, has plotted and planned this run expertly. Is this issue complicated? Well, yes it is but there is reason for that. Zdarsky has spent time building this title in way other writers on other books would love to imitate. Using key moments as fulcrums rather than conclusions allows the story to continue in a way that doesn’t feel over stretched. By reshuffling the deck of characters Zdarsky allows the expectations to equally be reshuffled. The dialogue works for all the characters; Matt has is his plan, Elektra has her frustrations and so on.

The art is provided by Mike Hawthorne how delivers a bit of a mixed bag in my opinion. Panels that feature closer focus on characters work better than other alternative camera angles. Take the opening panels for example, strong lines full of details. Then take a look at the Elektra panels in the apartment; a lack of facial elements shapes that intimate rather than show details. Looking through this book and it seems that Hawthorne has more fun drawing Daredevil and the costumed characters over the rest of the book. Inker Adriano Di Benedetto aides and abets Hawthorne well. Colors are provided by Marcio Menyz who does well with the different environs, though should prison be darker? VC’s Clayotn Cowles rounds off the creative team; Cowles is probably one of the most well know (and hard working) letterers in the business; here is another example of his great work.

For comic book fans of a certain age, Frank Miller’s time on Daredevil always features as the best run for this character. I would say however, that Zdarsky is quietly delivering a run that could quite easily be regarded in the same light, at least for this generation of fans.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; Chip Zdarsky
Art by; Mike Hawthorne
Inks by; Adriano Di Benedetto
Colors by; Marcio Menyz
Letters by; VC’s Clayton Cowles
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network