Daredevil # 48 Review

Archive

Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Hardcore: Part 3

Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Alex Maleev
Colored by: Matt Hollingsworth
Lettered by: Cory Petit
Editor: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Brian Bendis has done a wonderful job on DAREDEVIL; his stories are some of the best on the market. Yet, the one level they fail on is as superhero comic books. I‘ve been so torn reading the excellent stories the last couple of years of DAREDEVIL. Yes on one hand these are well written stories that slowly develop, and often have great plot twists. On the other hand, these books bear no resemblance to comic books of old. Many comics under the Marvel banner aspire to be more than they are, and more so aspire to step away from what made them popular in the first place. So it’s a very difficult egg to crack. I love the book, but I do miss DAREDEVIL.

Bendis, as has been the case throughout his run, is leisurely telling the tale of the Kingpin’s return to New York City, following his recovery from a near fatal attack. While very little is left of his empire, due to the actions of his wife and several underlings, he’s finally grabbing back his power base. Matt Murdock is continually hounded after his double life as Daredevil was leaked a while back. He still will not admit to it, but it’s becoming pretty clear to most folk as the issues unfold. Bendis has even introduced a new love interest for Matt recently. Milla is blind like Matt, and following being saved by Daredevil she knew they were one and the same.

Matt’s courtship of Milla has been anything but normal. 2 issues ago we saw Matt and Milla attacked by Typhoid Mary on the steps of his office. In fine fashion Bendis made us wait an extra issue, as he told the story of the Kingpin’s return to NYC, before we see the result of Mary’s fiery attack on Matt this issue. Matt’s bodyguard Jessica Jones (Alias) gets to show her stuff, as well as another associate of Matt’s, Luke Cage (Power Man).

The dialogue has been sensational throughout Bendis’ run, and this issue is no exception. The conversation between FBI Agent Driver and Matt following the attack is a great example of Bendis’ gift. I loved the crack from Driver about Matt’s little super hero team ups, and how they’re not helping keep his identity a secret. Bendis’ ability to write crime stories is mind-boggling, there’s simply no weakness in the writing.

For all the wonderful character moments, all the great dialogue, I still feel unfulfilled reading this comic. Much like issues of INCREDIBLE HULK seeing the title character in the pages of his own comic is a real rarity. Plus I’m tiring of the 4 or 5 issues, a trade paperback made easy, story arcs. Very little happens issue to issue, and it’s a damn shame! Also, may I ask when it became such a blasphemy at Marvel for their characters to be super heroes?

The art is very fitting for the style of story that Bendis is telling. Alex Maleev has a “true crime” look to his art. Each panel looks like a scratchy photo from the first quarter of the 20th century. The facial expressions, especially those of Typhoid Mary, are vibrant, and when necessary downright eerie. He’s without a doubt the right man for the job!

All this said, I continue to enjoy reading DAREDEVIL as written by Brian Bendis, but I will continue to miss the super hero comic that’s long dead at Marvel. I enjoy today’s comics, but I miss the chance to read about Daredevil, Hulk, Captain America and many others, the way they’re supposed to be written in their monthly books. The fun truly is gone at Marvel, and much of the industry. I guess that’s why I read mostly DC Comics; they’re still telling those classic superhero yarns. Of course I’m in the distinct minority there!