Daredevil #24 is a big issue that looks to set the tone of the series for the future. A lot is riding on Daredevil’s legal team, consisting of Foggy Nelson, Kristen McDuffie, and most shockingly, Matt Murdock.
You might be asking how that’s possible — Make sure you read the Daredevil Annual from this year and current volume and you will be surprised to see that Mike Murdock will be causing quite the commotion now that he is real. The trial is taking place due to events from issue #1 where Daredevil confronted criminals in the act and misjudged his moves which resulted in a man’s death. Recent issues have seen Daredevil call on his friends to help protect Hell’s Kitchen should the worst case scenario happen…so what does happen? Let us look inside!
SPOILERS AHEAD for Daredevil #24!
I have to take a moment and appreciate the symbolism that is shown in this cover, as we see a helpless Daredevil waiting for the hammer of justice to strike down on him. What a great symbol of this “Truth/Dare” arc by artists Marco Checchetto and Matthew Wilson.
In this issue, we are treated to Mike Hawthorne as our artist, whose style is different but it does work for the book as he shows right away with Matt and Foggy’s rooftop conversation that character and emotion will be shown to the fullest. This is a great sign, and Mattia Iacono’s colors also help to keep a consistency to the art changes so that you don’t feel a beat has been skipped.
Speaking of that rooftop conversation, writer Chip Zdarsky nails how those two friends would be acting in this situation, but I also love that Matt’s character shines through as he typically blames everyone else when he is in a panic caused by his own actions. It’s great to see that element return to the book in full force here.
The surprise twist is the next conversation with Typhoid Mary and Wilson Fisk; I really felt like Mary would be a finished plot element with her time at the church, but I am so glad to see that she will serve more by bringing her skills to the Kingpin. After that, Matt really starts putting the gears into motion by cutting a deal with the prosecution and also checking on Tony Stark to see if he will buy Hell’s Kitchen in order to keep the Stromwyns out. Then we finally get a confrontation with “Matt,” aka Mike, and Kristen, but luckily he manages to blow his odds.
Most of this issue is talking with some leaping around, but Zdarsky and Hawthorne really come together to deliver some intense moments when we get to the courtroom. Sadly, Stark doesn’t get Hell’s Kitchen, but it does get purchased by someone other than the Stromwyns — I like the way this gets revealed to Matt.
I don’t want to spoil what happens, but we do see a lot of flip flopping on Daredevil’s part as he isn’t sure being in a jail cell is what is best for Hell’s Kitchen, but he also knows he needs justice…so, does Matt take the deal? What would you do?
This is a great issue that has Daredevil getting his affairs in order before the big trial. I love the characters’ tones and relationships in this issue, as they are played perfectly — Zdarsky has a firm grasp on the DD-verse.
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