Daredevil Message Board

[Dave Wallace]

OK, I didn't see a thread for the new issue yet? Another great piece of work. Here's my review:

http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/reviews/118315469856367.htm

[markc]

This latest arc is a showcase for the great Lark/Gaudiano artwork. They set the pace with high-flying action scenes that you wish could be translated to the movie screen for DD2, faces that add meaning and impact to the story, lots of great shadowy hell's kitchen type backgrounds, and through it all DD looks spot-on. Not the steroid DD from Father, but the lean, athletic guy he's supposed to be.
I do think Brubaker's an exellent writer, and I read most of what he puts out, but Michael Lark is the star of this book.

[pbblair]

I had mixed feelings on this one. Good action, but with the opening and closing hinting at a bigger picture, I couldn't help but want the drug subplot to reveal a little more, so that this issue wouldn't feel like filler against the bigger story.

[fox_limbo]

This is a very solid issue.

The earlier sentiment that artists, Lark, Guidiano and Hollingsworth, are the stars of this issue is spot on. The movement of the action scenes are very fluid and capture the gritty humanization of such fantastical situations. The visuals of this issue certainly steal the show on an otherwise Ed Brubaker-driven run.

That's not to say Ed didn't do the usual good job with this issue. (this is a very rare moment where I discuss the art first and the storytelling second in my discussion of an issue of Daredevil). I think Mr. Brubaker offered a moment for the art team to spread their wings on what they happen to do best, which is (I believe) noir-ish, atmospheric action (which, as we all know, was Alex Maleev's glaring weakness).

The story is open and loose to allow such a torrid pace to the action. It also illustrated that Matt Murdock is Battlin' Jack's son. He is a fighter. And when a fighter, a competitor is backed into a corner, they come out swinging. The fierceness Matt faught Melvin with was invigorating (in the context of Ed Brubaker's run, Matt also faught with that same intensity against the thugs he was imprisoned with at Rykers).

There has been on-and-off discussion here of peoples' appreciation (or the lack thereof) for Milla Donovan. I, for one, am in the minority that actually likes Milla. The threat of her (another of Matt's girly-friends) being killed by a Daredevil villain (although, it wasn't Bullseye). The fact that the scenario has that "yeah, yeah. been there, seen that" flavor to it, the palpable threat was very well choreographed and played out.

This is a solid, entertaining issue. Great job, esspecially to the art team!!

[fox_limbo]

[Dave Wallace]

[fox_limbo]

[Forrest]

Not only did the art shine in this issue but the pacing was incredible!

As always, DD by Brubaker, Lark and company is the stuff of DD legends.


_________________
"Flash is back. Worlds will die again!"

[harryhausen]

Ok, so I liked this issue a great deal, but feel I have to provide the tiniest dissenting opinion on two counts.

First, I’m getting weary of the whole ‘who is the mastermind’ thing – it’s been the whole arc now! Unveil it and let’s get going! I don’t even care now. Oh, it’s this guy or that guy . . . .

Also, I love the art, in general, but in light of all the praise, I gotta say there are a few lapses here that took me out of the book a little. Most notably, when Matt grabs Milla during her (their) fall, I recall that it is with his left hand and in the very next panel, he’s holding her with his right hand. Seems a touch sloppy. Still better action scenes than Maleev, though. Lark’s got the faces and expressions down, though. And there’s lots of good motion.

I reread Chichester’s mini-arc about the Owl last night (301-303, I think) and it had Wyman on guest pencils – fantastic action scenes – super clear and super kinetic. Just got me thinkin’.

Overall, though: Long live Brubaker, Lark, and Co.!