This issue of Daredevil stands out as one of my favorites, as it boasts some incredible shifts in mood, some entertaining and touching dialogue and yet another crystal-clear look into the unique perceptions and character of Matt Murdock. Bendis has outdone himself with this script, and even Maleev's artwork seems to be a step above what's come before in this title as of late. With the big-screen incarnation of the title character making its worldwide debut in one day, Marvel couldn't have possibly put a better face on the printed version of the character.
Matt Murdock is visited by an admirer, one he cannot acknowledge thanks to his efforts to maintain a public separation between his everyday life and his secret identity. As if that weren't distraction enough in his life, Matt worries about the Owl's new tactics against him and the criminal's distribution of an insidious new drug on the streets. Furthermore, Matt has some issues to resolve with a friend from the super-human community, and a murder investigation is about to make turn his life into even more of a tangle.
Maleev's already rich artwork, which brings out the dark, urban atmopshere so well, seems to gain an even greater depth and strength here. The characters seem to move and react so naturally, and it's the most obvious, though a bit hidden as well, in those scenes featuring Foggy Nelson. Daredevil takes on a greater visual intensity in a scene later in the book, that sequence reminds me of Bill Sienkiewicz's take on the character in the classic graphic novel Daredevil: Love and War, written by Frank Miller. Hollginsworth's deep, dark colors bring out the danger of the concrete jungle in which the title character exists even more.
The shining light of this issue was Milla, the potential new female love interest for Daredevil. Dardevil's greatest weakness has always been his propensity for falling in love -- usually with the wrong women -- and it's a treat to see Bendis carrying that tradition on here. But it's easy for the reader to empathize with the torn protagonist. Hell, I'm in love with Milla. her confidence, savvy and willingness to be vulnerable are all attractive, but what really made her appealing was Matt's description of her, filtered through his extreme and unconventional perceptions.
The other highlight of the issue was Matt's confrontation with Luke Cage. I enjoyed it so because, as I noted in a review of a previous issue, my thinking is in line with Luke's. In his lawsuit against The Daily Globe, Matt's the bad guy, because he's in the wrong. But Bendis presents a strong counter argument, delving into cold, hard realities and how they conflict with principles. I'm still on Luke's side -- in part because I like the idea of the hero being in the wrong -- but Bendis offers a balanced look at the issue and uses it to delve into characterization even more.
