War of the Realms #2 drops this week and with it two major tie-in series. One is about Punisher and his fight against elves in the streets of New York, and the other holds a major spoiler of sorts in regards to Daredevil’s important role in the war. The latter story features a ton of writers including event head Jason Aaron himself, and should give readers a wide-ranging taste of the event.
So what’s it about?
Read the preview.
Why does this matter?
The creators involved in the four stories contained here are excellent and should pique your interest. Jason Aaron, Adrea Sorrentino, Ram V. Chip Zdarsky, Joe Quinones, Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, and Matthew Wilson to name but a few. Plus, get some insight into the next stage of War of the Realms, especially since it is recommended on the summary page to read War of the Realms #2 before this one.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Daredevil has a boss role in this event.
Credit: Marvel Comics
Anyone super into this event has to read the opening story entitled “The God Without Fear” part one by Aaron and Sorrentino. This story follows Daredevil, tying into his faith very well. How does a man who believes in God casually hang out with Thor, the God of Thunder? Find out here. There are also key details revealed about Kingpin as well as a taste of what Daredevil is up to in this event. Sorrentino uses the classic comic book printed dots look in a key flashback that helps separate it from the present very well. There’s also a fantastic cut away to the internal organs of a Frost Giant that helps the reader understand how Daredevil sees this beast.
Next up is a fun Warriors Three story by Josh Trujillo and Ricardo Lopez Ortiz called “The Warriors Three (or Four)” which is a lighter story that works on a comedic level. Ortiz’s art really ramps up the facial expressions and the speed lines used throughout are glorious.
Ram V. and Cafu deliver on a Wolverine and Punisher story in “Nice Shot, Frank” which is only six or so pages long, but gets the job done. It shows the heroics of Wolverine, as well as the subtle respect Punisher and Logan, have for one another. You also get the impression these two are in their element when they can slaughter elves all day.
The final story by Zdarsky and Quinones is a Howard the Duck tale called “Waugh of the Realms” and it’s as comedic as you think. It’s a four-page tale, hams up Howard’s greed for comedy relief and employs some poop jokes for the peanut gallery.
Oh Howard, never change.
Credit: Marvel Comics
It can’t be perfect, can it?
There isn’t much of a connective tissue between these stories, making them somewhat awkward to transition from one to the other. The Wolverine and Punisher story is oddly placed in the physical book even though the story before it does have a “The End” on the last page. The mix of comedy tales and serious ones is also a bit odd. It’d be stronger to put all the comedy stories in one book, I’d wager, as the tone is strikingly different and hard to get into from story to story.
Is it good?
I dig the variety of stories offered here, especially having half of them leaning into comedy, reminding us events are meant to be fun. It also holds a key Daredevil tale to make it a must-read for completists and even casual War of the Realms readers.
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