Daredevil #508

Shadowland continues! Daredevil has just committed an unspeakable act for a hero, and the Hand has declared martial law on Hell's Kitchen. 
 

WARNING: Minor Spoilers discussed within review for those who have not read Shadowland #1.

 

The Good

Before I discuss the details I always discuss in almost every formulaic review I put up here, I have to talk about something that blew me away in this issue. A little less than half way through the book is one of the coolest splash pages in recent comic book history. It depicts Daredevil's new brand of justice, as well as the Hand. This splash page is better than 90% of the covers I've seen in the past 10 years. If you've read it, and you can't figure out what I'm talking about for some reason, here's a hint "thief." Anyway, the writing is incredibly engaging, and I've really been digging on the art. What most excites me, which I originally thought I'd hate, is Daredevil going bad. It really works out pretty cool in this issue.
 

The Bad

There's two ways this book will end: Daredevil will break free from the Hand's control or Daredevil will die, only to come back a few years later. I'm pretty sure he won't stay in control of the Hand, and thinking about that makes me a little mad. Everything always has to go back to normalcy. I know I'm getting a little off-track though... Another thing I don't like about this issue is Foggy Nelson. He is one of my least favorite supporting characters. Every time he talks I want to reach into the comic, slap him, and tell him to go away forever. I keep thinking that Bulleye's death was a little gimmicky. I understand that it's less about his death and more about the change in Daredevil, but it feels like we'll be seeing him again. Probably in like 6 months or so.
 

The Verdict 4.5/5

I stopped reading this book right before Diggle took over. Daredevil bored me. However, this storyline has given me a new reason to love this book and character. I'm incredibly surprised that I'm enjoying this since it seemed gimmicky to me more than anything, but I highly recommend this book, and this issue. Jump on it now before it sells out and you're stuck waiting for it in trade!