Review by Tim Sheridan
“The Murdock Papers” Part 4
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Alex Maleev
Colors: Dave Stuart
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
Production: James Taveras
Asst Editor: Cory Sedimeier
Editor: Axel Alonso
Published by Marvel Comics
This is a tough issue for me to review, mostly because I’ve said all I can about this title and its team in previous reviews. I love this comic a whole lot, and I love the ride that we’ve been taken on since this story started, over 50 issues ago. Bendis and Maleev have constantly pushed the boundaries on what is acceptable in a superhero comic, and with each turn they are successful. Now this is their last arc on the title, and it’s just as excellent as their first.
There is an almost Shakespearean quality to the tone and the turns this story takes, with each character manipulating the other to get just what they want. The dialogue is kept to a minimum in this issue, showcasing the art. Maleev moves the story along at a perfectly brisk pace, and proves that he is a great action artist.
I’m not going to talk much about the story because if you haven’t read this title in a while, it’s just not going to make much sense, and if you are a regular reader, you know that a short summary will not do justice to the complexities of this tale. All I will say is that Kingpin is once again causing havoc for Matt Murdock, along with everyone else in his life.
I’m feeling a bit (ok, very) under the weather, so I’m going to wrap things up here, but all I can finish up with is a reiteration of just how great I think this book is. I know there are only two issues left for this team and I will miss them when they are gone, but for now, I’m just enjoying some of the best that comics has to offer.
