Marvel’s New York crossover “Gang War” is in full effect, complete with tie-in stories like Daredevil: Gang War, out this week. The state of Daredevil is a bit complicated these days, as Matt is in a new daytime role as a priest and lacks memory but still puts on the red tights. Meanwhile, his true love, Elektra, is donning her own Daredevil suit, which is the main focus of the new tie-in.
If it’s not obvious yet, “Gang War” is naturally going to split up heroes across different territories. As we learn in this issue, Daredevil is focusing on Hell’s Kitchen and the gang trying to take it over. They are crooked cops but also seem to be run by a mysterious unknown head gangster. That puts this series in a unique position since we know most of the other territory leaders.
There’s also a compelling argument to be made about the importance of stories about bad cops in this day and age, but the comic isn’t really political. Instead, it’s focused on Daredevil trying to make sense of a threat that’s almost as good as she is while maintaining some teamwork with Spider-Man and his amazing friends. Erica Schultz does a good job balancing these two elements with captions, keeping us right there with Daredevil. She’s a loner, and this role is pretty new to her.
I’ve said elsewhere that I’m not a huge fan of the “Gang War,” although tie-ins like this make me a believer. The creators of this, and also Luke Cage, are utilizing the event to tell personal stories for the heroes in question. Schultz is doing a good job capturing Daredevil’s unique place in the herodom of late while also setting up an interesting mystery regarding a masked villain. You’ll wanna learn more by the end about who the bad guys are. Oh, and it helps that Spider-Man pops in.
How kick ass is that art?
Credit: Marvel
My only gripe with this issue is how it’s extra-sized yet doesn’t progress very much on story or plot. It’s mostly a fight comic. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I hoped the story would have moved along a bit more by the end.
Sergio Davila delivers some of their best art yet, which will please modern superhero comics readers. The action is well choreographed and exciting with cool fight moves and slick agility thrown in for good measure. The art is insanely detailed, with every brick rendered in the background and the vast city on display. I can’t get over how good Daredevil looks, especially when she lets her hair down. She looks cool but loses none of her Elektra badassness. Big, sexy splash pages are used throughout, and the art, in general, looks as good as any event-caliber title.
Daredevil: Gang War #1 is a solidly written and exceptionally drawn first issue. It sets up its main character, her unique position during the event, and a mystery worth resolving. This is an intense vigilante action comic at its best.
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