Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Jorge Fornes, Nolan Woodard, and VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 1, 2020
Daredevil just won my Book of the Year on our Marvel Podcast awards show and really, it was my favorite book of 2019 period. Chip Zdarsky made me a fan of his and Daredevil and even had me defending his butt checks on Twitter. That’s a trifecta if ever there was one! So, I would hope that this issue of Daredevil is the start of the Zdarsky campaign for the book of 2020. Is it good? Let’s find out…
The first thing that most people will notice is Jorge Fornes’s art. He’s coming off some big issues on Tom King’s Batman and has been praised big time for the old school vibe he brings to the party…and I hate it. It’s nothing against him personally since I have never met him and am sure he is a darling, but I wish he would stay away from this book from here on out. Your mileage may vary so I understand if you like or even love it.
The issue itself opens with the morning after for Matt and Elektra. We are reminded that she doesn’t remember the whole Matt/Daredevil connection before heading off to see if Wilson Fisk is actually still alive…spoiler, he is.
At least I think he is, but I don’t recognize this Uncle Fester look-alike they keep calling Wilson! Matt pays him a visit and it is a damn good scene that had sadness and anger all rolled up into one before Matt bailed without any real answers and Fisk laughing it up. It is a shame, though, as Wilson could have gained an unlikely ally, but I think Zdarsky played it right here.
The issue continues with more characters looking nothing like we are used to and the deal between Hammerhead and the Libris Family ending just as it started. These bad guys and gals just can’t be trusted! That’s okay because the good guys and gals are all stepping it up this issue as Elektra and Matt have a plan to go up against the Stromwyns and Detective Cole is a man with a plan and I loved it! Cole has been a great addition to this book and the only problem I had with him was we weren’t getting enough of him. I hope that changes from here on out!
The issue ends with a kickass scene with Matt versus ninjas while Elektra does some computer hacking… kind of like Police Academy meets The Net meets Gilligan’s Island. Actually, it’s nothing like that but it was really cool and the issue ends with the Stromwyns with a little less pocket change (don’t worry, they still have a couple hundred billion squirreled away) and Elektra showing she knows way more than she is letting on.
Chip Zdarsky has been a wizard at juggling a bunch of storylines yet still making you feel satisfied at the end of each issue with what you got from each of them. That continues here as we check in with everyone, see what’s going on and then get moving forward. We are heading for a huge explosion on all fronts and I can’t wait to be there in the front row for it. I already said my peace with the art, but Zdarsky had me so involved that it didn’t distract too much and I actually didn’t think about it by the end.
Final Thoughts:
Daredevil is my favorite book on the shelf today and while I wasn’t a fan of the art in this issue, the combination of ninja hacking action and kickass character moments had me the whole time reading. I keep recommending this book to anyone who will listen and it might be time to take the fight to those who won’t! Even if you hate my guts, read this book and maybe you will like my guts a tiny bit more.
8.0/10