Daredevil #24 Review

Here we are once again with one of my most anticipated books each and every month; Daredevil. Waid and Samnee have been doing such a great job on this from day one, and I am sure they have got many more readers are producing a new reader friendly issue recently. This issue does not do too much in moving the current story arc forward, but what we do get is an interesting book with lots of good character moments; along with some very well placed humour.

So we kind of see the person who is behind this whole plot to take down Matt, however, I do not know who it is. If what we saw in this issue is a hint, then I am unfamiliar with the character. However, it still freaked me out slightly, and I am desperate to know more to find out exactly ho it is and why they are doing it.
In this issue they sent a crate of dogs that had been made radioactive to try and take Matt down; failing of course.There wasn't too much to this battle, but of course it angered Matt that this person could get to him so easily. I did like the way that this battle ended as it saw Matt defeat them in a pretty clever way. Simple yet effective.

After the last issue in which we learned about Foggys' condition, we had a couple of scenes that were very Foggy and Matt heavy; which was perfectly fine with me. I liked the dedication that Matt showed to him, which is to be expected, as well as us learning that the illness may not be terminal. After last issue I really thought that that was it for the poor guy, but now Waid has given himself the chance to prolong this a bit more. I am looking forward to a whole " will he, won't he" style theme in respect to this plot line in the future.

Another plot point of this issue was the relationship between Matt and Kirsten. Matt went to see her in order to try and end things, but it was Kirsten who ended up putting her foot down. Matt is now pretty confused about his feelings towards her. I am not too sure how I feel about Kirsten still. I mean, I do like her, but I really think she may need to be in the book more like she was in this issue. Some of her dialogue here was pretty great, and I wish we could see more of that. However, I do appreciate the fact that it is pretty difficult to get her page time with everything else going on in this book. This particular scene also had the best humour of the issue. I am hoping we see more of Kirstens' new boyfriend, if only for some decent one liners aimed at him by Matt.

As I said, the plot didn't really move forward much until the last page, however this was still an utterly enjoyable issue.If you have been enjoying the series then you will more than likely enjoy this issue too. The action may have been toned down, but the writing was just as good as ever. I find it a shame though that Waid can't seem to recreate his form here on his Hulk book. A Hulk book written like this would be awesome. Oh well, never mind, this Daredevil is more than enough for me.

Rating: 8.9 / 10

Daredevil #23 Review

This was an issue designed for new readers, who for whatever reason, have not been reading this series. If anyone picked this up who hasn't read any of this series so far, then I can guarantee that they will be picking up a lot more issues from now on! This was an amazing issue that truly has the power to make you laugh as well as cry. So what exactly happened? There will be spoilers in this review, so if you have not read this then please turn away now...

This issue focused on two different stories throughout it. The first of these being; the night before Foggy goes to the doctors to get his test results back. This was and absolutely tremendous section of this issue which went a long way to show how friends come together when the going really does get tough. Not just that, there was one moment between friends that was actually hilarious. Watching Matt and Foggy sitting on a roof laughing at a joke Foggy made was a great sight; which Waid did a great job of making you feel apart of. It was a very easy scene to connect with seeing as we all have people in our lives who we would do things like this with.
The second part of this issue focused on a group of prisoners who had been blinded by the same toxic waste as Matt had when he was a child. These criminals were then unleashed in a big society event. What happened next was madness, which Matt successfully controlled. This section highlighted that whoever was behind the massive plan to take down Matt, actually knew him very well. I am very intrigued to find out who this person is, and I hope Waid keeps us waiting a big longer. I have a feeling that the reveal is going to be huge whenever it does eventually hit.

Now, the last few pages of this book may just have been some of the most powerful pages I have read in a comic book. I was hoping, like many others I imagine, that Foggy was going to be ok. However, it now looks like that this is not going to be the case at all. The way this was written though, as well as drawn, was just unbelievable. The way Matt was assessing the situation by reading heart rates was very impressive, as well as doing a really great job at adding extra tension to a scene. The looks that then followed between Foggy and Matt was really heart breaking. I shut the book after reading the last page feeling like I had just been punched in the stomach. Say what you want about comic books, but a standard book has never ever made me feel like that. Waid and Samnee have done a tremendous job in about 4 pages to show just how magical comic books can still be.

Pick this up now! Even if you are unfamiliar with the characters, I still think that this will hit you hard. It was just a very solid issue which also saw Chris Samnee firing on all cylinders art wise. This book shows that comics are still important in our society. Not just that, it also sets up what I am sure to be some cracking issues in the coming months. Do yourself a favour and get on this series before you regret it.

Rating: 9 / 10

Daredevil #19 Review

In the last few issues of this series it has looked as though Matt Murdock is losing his mind. The remains of his dead Father have been found in his desk drawer at his office, and he is having hallucinations of his ex wife. He has also lost his job at the law firm that he shared with Foggy, who really wants to get Matt what he sees as some much needed help.

Right from the start of this issue it seems as though Matt is carrying on down the slippery road that he is on. He temporarily loses his billy club, but finds it just in time as he swings into a bus which actually turns out to be his apartment. Yes, it seems like Matt has lost it completely. After speaking to Hank Pym, he figures out just who is behind what is happening to him, as well as behind all the strange mob leader murders. However, we do not find that out just yet...

There is a scene in a bar between Foggy and Matt's current woman in his life; Kirsten McDuffie ( which is actually quite a strange surname when you think about it ). In all seriousness though this was my favourite scene in the whole book. The emotion really jumped off the pages, and seeing Foggy in the state he was in was heartbreaking. He cares so much for his best friend, and only wants the best for him. He believed that the best thing to do was to tell Kirsten who Matt really is. The predicament he found himself in was a tough one, and that was clear to see all over his face as Chris Samnee nailed the art perfectly in what was a very important scene.

The ending of this book was a really odd, yet enjoyable one. We found out the Coyote is behind all the odd things happening in Matt's life, as well as being behind the murders. The last page of the story really was a true shocker. It looks as though Coyote has Matt's head in his hands while his decapitated body is tied up to a post next to them. It really is odd, and when I first turned on to it, it really was a WTF moment ( as much as I hate that phrase ).

Coyote seems like a pretty interesting villain. Waid and Samnee combine to make him seem light hearted while also being creepy at the same time, if that makes any sense at all. For example, seeing his multiple sets of arms appear all around Matt was like watching something out of a classic horror movie, while at the same time being somewhat ridiculous. He is a nod to old school comic books for sure. He is wacky and different, without making the reader lose interest in the character, or feel like their intelligence is being insulted. Coyote also seems like a pretty perfect way of explaining all the strange things that have been happening to Matt, so I guess he is being played to perfection. So far so good anyway.

It was always clear that not all is as it seems in regards to the situation with Matt Murdock's current state that he finds himself in. This issue confirmed that for us, and also makes you intrigued as to how everything will play out in the next issue or so. I am sure Matt will find a way to get rid of Coyote, but how is he supposed to convince those closest to him that all is well? I cant wait to find out.


Rating: 8.3 / 10