When a friend of mine told me Daredevil was one of the best superheroes ever and that he could easily beat anyone in a fight, my first thought was, “You’re crazy. Doesn’t make sense!” But now after reading some modern Daredevil I can see she was so damn right.
Daredevil is a well constructed character. He’s sympathetic and someone one you can identify with as everybody, even the best of us, has a dark half. I don’t say this because the guy’s a villain, but because of his way that he “sees” the world. The choices he makes and how he acts make him and almost “living shadow” living in this in-between space.
In this story Matt Murdock has some job to do in China far from Hell’s Kitchen. It may looks like he’s just making money and freaking every poker player he finds, but it’s obvious to the reader that something bigger and more serious is taking place in the city.
There’s no real action in this issue, or at least in the tradition sense, instead just a couple of mental scenes that were a perfect for what was happening. There is a lot of tension, drama and suspense, thanks to the script done by Mark Soule. I couldn’t stop reading right up to the very end of the book and this new locale that this arc takes place in is very (imagine a world of neon lights) promising. Also, if you’ve seen some of the last Marvel movies, you’ll giggle a little from some of the included bits.
Goran Sudzuka also did a great job with the art in Daredevil #8. The division between panels is just right and makes everything very easy to read while giving a sense of continuity to all of the pages.. The best part, for me, was the inking work done and the way he played with the blacks on the page.
I’m also really surprised to say I loved Matt Milla’s coloring. It’s an old style, plagued with dots everywhere, but it works somehow in this context. The palette he used suits the entire comic and betting on black, white, red and sepia, doesn’t surprise me since this is a very Gothic character.
I cannot say the same great things about the lettering by Cowles, which is very simplistic. It’s nothing remarkable, although it does suits Murdock’s low profile that he’s keeping. I also wasn’t a fan of the cover by Camuncoli and Orlandine; the colors are great and contrast and complement each each just right, but whoever was the responsible of the inks needs to be stopped.
I saw the cover and I couldn’t help but think this was something along the lines of Agent Cody Banks. When one looks at the cover of one of the most serious characters in Marvel’s history, silly probably isn’t what you want. As Mushu said: “Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family!”
Daredevil #8 is one of those comics that makes you wonder what the protagonist is going to do next, what their next move will be. It is not the kind of story I’m used to reading, but it’s certainly something worth the money and time. This is a book that you should give a real chance, especially as this new story arc has just begun, so you won’t be that lost in context if you only know a little about the character.
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