DAREDEVIL #109 ADVANCE REVIEW

[Blake Petit]

Review by: Blake M. Petit Blake@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Cruel & Unusual Part Three
Rating: T+

Matt and Dakota dig deeper into Big Ben Donovan’s case.

Writers: Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka
Art: Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano
Colors: Matt Hollingsworth
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Warren Simons
Cover Art: Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Big Ben Donovan has confessed to a crime he didn’t commit. Why is he willing to be executed? Matt and Dakota North continue to investigate the case this issue, and Dakota gets in a lot deeper than she ever intended.

Brubaker and Rucka are both at their strongest when doing a good crime drama, and when they work together the results are almost universally sublime. These two have crafted an intriguing, totally unique kind of mystery story, something with layers and depth far beyond the usual superhero fare. The subplot involving Ben’s son is heavily developed here and make things all the more intriguing, and the way the issue ends leaves you on the edge of your seat.

Lark, Gaudiano and Hollingsworth are an art team truly worthy of the fantastic script they’re given to work with. Their style gives the book a weighty, dirty feel that helps make this more a drama than a superhero tale. And, of course, there’s just not enough to say about Marko Djurdjevic’s fantastic cover art. Almost everything he does deserves to be made into a poster, and this issue is no exception.

Another fantastic issue, and I can’t wait to see the conclusion next month.

Rating:


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[virtuadept]

This book and Amazing Spider-Man are at the top of my read-list every week from week to week. Other books I get I tend to wait until a few issues are bundled up before I commence reading, but I'm never more than a week behind with Daredevil and ASM.

I've always been a long time Spider-Man fan, going back to my childhood, so many decades ago, but I didn't start reading Daredevil until recently. I started with issue 98 or so, thinking I'd give it a try for the big 100th issue push they were doing. I. was. blown. away.

Daredevil is probably the most human of any Marvel characters, at least of the ones I've read. He's a normal guy with real disabilities and problems, with real life problems. Sure, Peter Parker has relationship issues and problems with money and such, but to me a lot of Parker's problems felt a bit contrived, whereas what I'm reading of Daredevil just makes sense, feels authentic. Daredevil has gone from "don't care about at all" to "one of my top 10 superheroes" in less than a year.

I have gone back to read some of the earlier stuff of Daredevil too. Some of the Bendis run, great stuff, and the amazing Frank Miller run. I honestly can't think of a single comic book that has been consistently excellent for as long as Daredevil has been.

If you don't have Daredevil on your pull list, you're really, really missing out. He's a great character and the stories are all great. Sure, he's street level, and isn't dealing with cosmic threats, but that's what makes it so much more believable and intense. BUY THIS BOOK!

[Ammar Al Subahi]

You should also read Guradian Devil (#1 - #8) written by Kevin Smith with art by Quesada, it's really good.