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DAREDEVIL #34 (Best of the Week!)
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Alex Maleev
Colors: Matt Hollingsworth
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Stuart Moore
Price: $2.99 US/$4.75 CAN |
It's coincidence, really, but it's noteworthy. At the time of the release of the stunningly successful Spider-Man movie, the writer on the most popular and strongest Spidey comic was (and is) Brian Michael Bendis. And chances are that when Ben Affleck's Daredevil flick -- already poised to be a hit as well -- is released next year, Bendis will still be handling the writing chores on the comic-book title of the same name.
It's obvious that Marvel has a lot of faith in Bendis, and it's for good reason. He brings realism and plausibility to the world of super-heroes, and not just in this title; he does so in Ultimate Spider-Man, Alias and Powers every month as well. But in bringing those new strengths to the genre, Bendis doesn't sacrifice the existing strengths: wonder and excitement.
While Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson fumes about being scooped, the media continues to hound Matt Murdock in the light of the newspaper report that he is, in fact, Daredevil. As Matt yearns to slip out of his home and get some air on the Manhattan rooftops in his costumed identity, his partner and friend Foggy Nelson finally lets loose and tells him to face reality... not just the reality of the newspaper report, but of what the red costume has done to his life.
Maleev's dark, textured art reflects the tortured mood of the story quite well. His dense, sketchy aprooach suits the urban tone of the characters and plot as well. Hollingsworth adds to that dirty depth with his subtle, dark tones.
Bendis has brought a welcome interconnectedness to the titles he's written This plotline has affected events in Alias, and the writer's familiarity with the Spider-Man character serves him well here. Fortunately, though, he's not making his other titles required reading; he simply adds a greater depth and continuity to those stories for the fans who follow his work. He maintains an accessible and entertaining tone.
The greatest strength of this issue is Foggy's heartfelt speech. It's clear that he's angry with his friend. But that anger stems not from the fact that he's become mixed up in his weird, dangerous world. Instead, it arises out of the simple fact that he cares for Matt so much, and he can't bear to see him hurting himself time and time again. Mind you, the opening scene featuring a quietly powerful moment for both Ben Urich and Peter Parker was incredibly difficult to top.
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