Daredevil

• Title: Daredevil #10
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Mark Waid
• Artist: Pablo Rivera

I wasn’t thrilled with writer Mark Waid’s choice of the Mole Man for this two-issue arc, but the second half pays off as Daredevil is able to survive being eaten some sort of giant underground monster and discover why the villain is robbing the graves of a local cemetery, including that of Matt Murdock’s father.

Daredevil is able to take down the villain, whose purpose is far more pathetic than dangerous, but with the loss of his father’s remains now scattered among the bones of many Daredevil has to admit no one wins here.

Although the Black Cat doesn’t appear in this issue we also get a wrap-up to her (far too) short romantic tryst with Daredevil as she chooses not steal the data drive the lawyer has been keeping in a secret safe in his office. Although I understand why the character is moving on, I’m sad to see her go so soon, just as things were getting interesting. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

• Title: Daredevil #9
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Mark Waid
• Artist: Pablo Rivera

Matt Murdock heads underground (after a rather lame joke as Foggy notices Matt wearing his Daredevil boots under his clothes) to discover what has happened to his father’s body and several others that have been stolen from the cemetery where he was put to rest.

I’ve never been a fan of the Mole Man. The me the Silver Age Fantastic Four villain is better left in the 60’s. So maybe it’s that the latest issue of Daredevil is a Mole Man storyline, or perhaps its the fact that Matt Mudrock’s wild night with the Black Cat isn’t directly addressed (other than one or two thought panels and a momentary hesitation by the thief robbing him), or maybe it’s because so much of this issue felt like LOTR (a ton of walking before we get to any action), but I didn’t think this issue #9 was as good as I expected.

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the issue, and I’m sure writer Mark Waid’s explanation into the Mole Man’s behavior is a good one. I’m just hoping the arc ends quickly and get back to the Black Cat and the mysterious FF artifact everyone is after. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

• Title: Daredevil #8
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Mark Waid
• Artist: Marcos Martin

The conclusion of “Devil and the Details” (which began last week in Amazing Spider-Man) finds Daredevil helping Spider-Man and the Black Cat discover who set her up for the theft of the hologram projector. Once again Mark Waid delivers a great story featuring some nice banter among all the three characters.

The comic includes the Black Cat throwing herself at Daredevil, Spider-Man’s angsty hyperbole at seeing the two kiss on the rooftop, and another clever way to show off why you don’t use a hologram projector to fight a blind super-hero.

Although I’m not sure how the missing corpse of Matt Murdock’s father is going to play into the next story arc I did like how learning about it derailed Daredevil’s make-out session with the Black Cat. The pair could make an okay couple swinging over rooftops but I’m having trouble seeing Matt Murdock and Felicia Hardy together anywhere outside of the (probably very steamy) bedroom. Best of the week.

[Marvel, $2.99]

• Title: Daredevil #7
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Mark Waid
• Artist: Marcos Martin

The holidays turn out to be anything but stress-free for Matt Murdock when his getaway with eight blind at-risk students goes horribly wrong after their bus gets lost and crashes in a snowstorm.

Far from anywhere, thanks to the (now deceased) bus driver’s shortcut, Daredevil puts on a brave face and sets out with the kids through the blizzard (which is playing havoc with his radar sense) to find some safety.

It may not have any super-villains, but Daredevil #7 is one of the year’s best comics which showcases the hero’s heart as well as the resiliency of the children who end up saving the hero.

There’s also a great opening scene between Matt Murdock and Kristen McDuffie at the Nelson & Murdock holiday party where the lawyer shows up in horns and a red and white hoodie proclaiming he’s no super-hero. I think the kids would disagree. Best of the week.

[Marvel, $2.99]