The Good
This issue is a really, really good one. Mark Waid has been giving readers an absolutely fantastic story from the get-go, and this issue really follows the traction and build-up that we've seen in the plot thus far. Matt Murdock has been pretty busy lately what with dating the city's DA, being on the run from plenty of bad guys, and dealing with the fact that his closest friend and the only family he has left in the world is terminally ill. Needless to say, the guy has a lot on his mind, and it's nice to see that Waid is actually having Matt deal with all of that. Any normal person with a soul would be devastated upon discovering that their best friend is dealing with a problem that is seemingly bigger than life, and it's nice to see that reflected here in this issue. We don't just see the way that Matt deals with his friend's illness, but we also watch as he processes his grief, something you don't often get in comics. The result is a comic that is easy to appreciate in the way that it explores Matt's psyche and character, digging well beneath the surface to demonstrate how the character must deal with these situations. The way he is written here he really feels human and down to earth, and I think that is incredibly important when it comes to telling a good Daredevil story, particularly one that deals with such poignant circumstances. It is something we've seen throughout this series since the start of Waid's run, but it is really evident here in this issue.
Overall, this story is just really well organized. We have a great depiction of Matt and all the events in his life, and his strive to create changes in what he's doing
And although there is a lot that happens in this comic, the events here are organized in a way that is easy to understand and follow, even if it is a lot of stuff.
The art, once again, is just beautiful. Chris Samnee does an absolutely stupendous job laying out Waid's story in a way that is both minimalist and detailed. Samnee pays a lot of attention to the little things, and makes sure to include some fun easter eggs in his panels that makes the reader feel as if he is really enjoying drawing DAREDEVIL. The colors are vibrant and beautiful and reflect the tone of the pencils and the story really nicely.
The Bad
Nothing bad to say about this story: this is another fantastic issue.
The Verdict
First off, it's not essential, but it is always nice to see a really well done cover, isn't it? Artist Chris Samnee's cover to this comic is as gorgeous as his interiors, and I absolutely loved the symbolism behind the image. Gracing the cover is Daredevil standing atop "Atlas," a famous sculpture in New York City. The statue is holding the entire world, and Daredevil stands on top of it. This issue is really about all of Daredevil's current problems -- of which there are many -- and Samnee shows us once again that he's paying close attention to the plot and the story Waid is trying to convey. This issue is well organized, well written and features some really beautiful dialogue. It also does a fantastic job giving readers insight into what Daredevil is thinking and just how he is dealing with all of his problems. The result is a well written, really pretty comic with another interesting story. While I don't recommend starting with this issue, you can (if you must) and it should not be too hard to follow along.
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