This issue of Daredevil: Black Armor is dedicated to the villains, that much is for sure. From the front cover, we can see that Sabretooth and Hobgoblin have gotten the best of Daredevil – and this is one cover that isn’t lying about what is inside. Mark Bagley drops the heavys, and Netho Diaz delivers with the action. D.G. Chichester puts quite the mystery and challenge in front of Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Jack Batlin; luckily, these are the days when Jack was wearing the armor because he will need it as he goes underground to find answers.
The issue’s opening is a flashback of Matt Murdock’s youth “watching” his dad. The simple namedrop of Crusher is fun as it potentially is the future villain Absorbing Man, which makes it funny knowing he had a hand in Daredevil’s training. Colorist Andrew Dalhouse picks the perfect hue, making that a “Golden Age” memory for Murdock. Next, we are taken to a great moment with Spider-Man and Daredevil as they are zipping across town. D.G. Chichester dispenses great dialogue for both characters, and I love how Netho Diaz gives us a panel with Daredevil sorrowfully looking for that old relationship of theirs.
Remember, people think Matt Murdock is dead, and this is a “new” Daredevil (take that, One More Day). Yet, this isn’t too far off from what is happening in the current Daredevil series. I enjoy that Matt Murdock’s character has so evolved that even when he is “dead,” he is still helping the people of Hell’s Kitchen, and both writers are attuned to that part of his character. Playing into character, Chichester then gives us a moment with Jack Battlin working with a guy, helping him become a lawyer by sharing skills and knowledge, leading to more talk about the kidnapped people.
After that, Chichester has the groundwork set to start the action, and things get fast and rough when it starts. This portion of the comic is where Netho Diaz gets to flex his skills, and the panel with Sabretooth popping out of the van is one of the best renders of the character I’ve seen. Diaz’s panel layout makes Sabretooth look vast and imposing, a real feral hulk of a man. Diaz’s Hobgoblin is quite the crazy man flying about, causing chaos that messes with Daredevil’s senses; I think Mark Hamill would enjoy voicing that scene.
Chichester and Diaz beat the crud out of Daredevil via Sabretooth, Hobgoblin, and the surrounding area. The narration from Daredevil helps to amplify the situation and the beating his body is enduring. After that scene cools down, Murdock finds himself imprisoned with Mole Man. Their conversation is attractive but cut short, which is a bummer as it would’ve been interesting to discuss their shared blindness. The next portion with Baron Strucker is a bit over the top with the “supervillain” monologue, but hopefully, that will open up some more activity in the following issues.
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