Between the launch of Devil’s Reign and the news that Daredevil #36 will be the last in the series, big things are happening in the Daredevil world. This creative team is doing amazing things that are building to some pulse-pounding stories with high amounts of drama. In issue #35, writer Chip Zdarsky teams up with artists Stefano Landini and Francesco Mobili and colorist Marcio Menyz to deliver quite an issue — and a wicked last page. Let’s leap in head-first and check it out!
SPOILERS AHEAD for Daredevil #35!
This issue opens on a tense standoff with Elektra and Typhoid Mary facing at least three Bullseyes. We’ve since learned that Wilson “Kingpin” Fisk created these extra Bullseyes, and now he has to worry about all the havoc they will unleash; I’m betting this action will come into play in the Devil’s Reign event. The moment is frantic as we know Kingpin is in love with Mary, so what will happen if she doesn’t survive? I enjoyed that character drama and the potential for loss as it gives depth to the leading players in this series.
The opening battle scene is as dark as it is superb, reminding you that this fight is happening in the streets of Hell’s Kitchen. I enjoyed that atmosphere as it made the explosions brighter and enormous. I am also enjoying the upgrades that Tony Stark made to Elektra’s sai with the electrical discharge, as the art team gets to capitalize on the energy to make the action rousing.
Once the battle went inside the theater, the suspense of what would happen to Elektra had my mind racing. The moment also made me think of Daredevil Vol. 1 #179, where Elektra threatens Ben Urich in a theater. I thought there might be some karma here; instead, it was a nice twist and moment of redemption. Again, the art team gets to show off the new sai with a cool twist on DD’s radar sense and how Elektra can get close to that. I liked how Elektra also used Bullseye’s vanity against him.
The end wraps up pretty quickly, and this was a significant issue to showcase Elektra’s growth as Daredevil and protecting Hell’s Kitchen. I like the moment where we can see that she still has her ways but is also living up to the code of being a hero. When she and Matt finally meet up, it is excellent, and I can’t wait to see the followup on it. Sadly, Elektra doesn’t get as big a hero’s recognition as Matt does, as he’s credited with the success of stopping Bullseye and the prison situation, but it does help draw the battle lines and state why Matt shouldn’t be in prison.
The penultimate issue of Chip Zdarsky’s excellent Daredevil is a great issue that took me back to the issues right before Marvel’s Civil War event. The groundwork is laid, and I can see how this builds to Mayor Fisk’s big move for the upcoming Devil’s Reign event. I loved how Elektra was spotlighted as a hero, which shows her growth. And as always, the art department on this book delivers astonishing sights!!
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