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Daredevil #84
Book Released: 19 April 2006
Review posted: 21 April 2006
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano
Publisher: Marvel Comics
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Adam White
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Wow.
Ever since Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark have come onto Daredevil it has been nothing short of amazing. With all the
massive company crossovers and superhero overkill in the industry these days, it’s nice to see creators take a superhero
book and turn it into a hard-core crime noir with serious dramatic impact. I did enjoy Bendis and Maleev’s take
on the series, greatly at times, but Brubaker and Lark have stepped it up and instantaneously made Daredevil a can’t-miss book.
Brubaker and Lark have stepped it up and instantaneously made Daredevil a can’t-miss book.
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Brubaker does crime-related drama as well or better than anyone; he makes every character play an integral role in the
story, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and deftly weaves the various parts into a masterful whole. Since I try not to
“spoil” stories, I will will say that someone close to Matt Murdock is murdered in Brubaker’s first issue
(#82), and that sets off a chain of events that quickly spirals out of control. Brubaker makes Murdock, now in prison, reach into the depths of his soul and find what truly motivates him as a person and a hero. Brubaker uses supporting players
Ben Urich and Dakota North to their fullest extent, and also throws in an imposter Daredevil performing heroics while Murdock
is in prison. Brubaker puts every character through the wringer and deals with the harsh realities of federal prison, all
the while showing that Matt Murdock may be much more dangerous than Daredevil ever was. Not only that, but the
character that shows up at the end of #84 is going to make things much more interesting come next issue.
Lark and Gaudiano shone brightly with their work on DC’s Gotham Central, and Lark before that on the beyond-excellent Scene of the Crime (go buy the trade) with Brubaker as well, yet they once again outdo themselves on Daredevil. These guys showcase the gritty realities of prison and use the claustrophobic atmosphere to its maximum effect; every scene continues building tension even after you think everything has reached the breaking point. Lark and Gaudiano redefine Matt Murdock and Daredevil yet again, adding nuances to the character that perfectly complement Brubaker’s expansion of his emotional dimensions. The dark, realistic style of the art deepens the mood of the book and indispensibly meshes with the writing to create a nigh-perfect series.
Brubaker and Co. prove that superheroes are more than just men in tights, and can inspire serious dramatic work.
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If you like Daredevil, superheroes, crime drama, or just excellent stories in general, then you really need to go buy these issues (#82-84) right now. Even if you’re one of those anti-superhero fans that focus your energies solely on independent material, you will still like this series. Brubaker and Co. prove that superheroes are more than just men in tights, and can inspire serious dramatic work. Buy it, love it, and pass it on to people that think comicbooks are lowbrow garbage — you’ll make believers out of them, too.
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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