The beauty of superhero comics is how original stories can sprout from anywhere and don’t necessarily have to be part of the current continuity. Case in point is Daredevil & Echo, a four-issue series by Taboo, B. Earl, and Phil Noto that explored a team-up that spans a century. In both the recent present and the 1830s, the creators spin a story that spans generations while introducing a little demon problem that needs to be tamped down for good.
Right off the bat, this story is an intriguing one, thanks to the flashbacks. We get to see both Echo and Matt Murdock’s ancestors team up, which features men in top hats killing each other. There’s a strong Gangs of New York vibe to a few scenes, with a solo Native American entering the story to lend some guidance.
The captions in this issue are excellently written, putting us inside Daredevil’s head as he swings across New York. The first double-page spread gets you inside his head while also dazzling with some great costume details by Noto. He renders Daredevil in a realistic-looking and slightly baggy costume. A nice glow of light pierces Daredevil’s body, creating an angelic and heroic look.
We soon learn a serial killer is taking a pound of flesh from their victims, and Elektra and Daredevil are on the case. The story feels grounded, with captions reminding us of the injustices of everyday life. That is juxtaposed well when a character animates buildings, throwing a mega threat into Daredevil and Echo’s lap.
This story is clearly taking place at a specific time in the past.
Credit: Marvel
Noto does a fantastic job on these scenes, with eye-popping full-page spreads and a compelling layout design as the buildings crumble down. He is an expert in pace, too, with a quiet scene with the building moving perpetrator and our heroes.
Echo being deaf and Daredevil being blind also factor into the story. It’s nice to see those elements brought up and woven into the story. When Daredevil says, “See no evil,” and Echo says, “Hear no evil,” at one point, it works thanks to the involvement of the church in the story. There are some religious undertones, which suits a Daredevil narrative, and it’s nice to see the Native American angle on it all. It’s early yet, but I’m excited to see where the creators are taking these themes.
The story is set in the past and picks up in the second issue. Set in 1835, we see Daredevil’s ancestor trust in a Native American woman who seeks answers underneath a church. What they find is a sacrificial device that puts Matt’s ancestor in danger. The concepts of religion and pagan ideas in the past are interesting, and it’s neat to see how they play into the story going on in the present. It all builds towards Lovecraftian stakes, Ghost Rider popping up, and a story about ancestry. For the most part, it all works, and it’s a nice story to add to Daredevil and Echo’s longstanding legacy.
Also contained in this collection is Elektra #100, which is pretty random. It’s likely meant to pad out the book a bit, but Daredevil does pop up in the story so it’s not entirely disconnected. I ended up liking it when it came out back in April 2022.
Blending ideas around faith, pagan traditions, and other worlds, Daredevil & Echo is an exciting chapter in Echo and Daredevil’s adventures. The street-level heroes are encountering something that they may be outmatched for, but given the strong dialogue and plot, we’re in good hands.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.