Review: "Daredevil" #12

The cover of Daredevil #12 proclaims, quite luridly, that our blind hero is up "against the Inhumans" this time. There's undeniably some ironic boldness in that, even though we get a pretty decent (and entertaining) fight between Daredevil and an Inhuman. 

However, what writer Charles Soule tries to convey more than anything else is that this is not a struggle against something, but for something. In an unusually diplomatic approach, the Man Without Fear tries to build bridges rather than unnecessarily burn them in what is ultimately one of the more clever treatments of the relationship between Humans and Inhumans in a while. The hunt for the wonderfully haunting serial killer/artist named Muse serves here as the perfect platform to show where both sides may find common ground, but also where they ultimately still differ.  

And yes, I've mentioned it before, but I'll happily to it again. Ron Garney's art and Matt Milla's colors combine to what is probably the best looking comic of 2016.


9/10

Review: "Han Solo" #4

Han Solo #4 confidently confirms the impressions of the first three issues: this is the best Star Wars series on sale at the moment. Why? Because writer Marjorie Liu does what may sound easy, but is actually hard to achieve: combine the traits of proven Star Wars characters and environments, but add new layers to it. 

Thus everything in Han Solo feels fresh, even though it gives readers a certain sense of familiarity which is certainly desired in any Star Wars publication. All that comes with a story that very effectively combines combat, racing and detective story elements, and art and colors by Mark Brooks, Sonia Oback and Matt Milla that manage to convince both on the small and large scale with its beautiful, realistic approach. All in all, Han Solo #4 makes for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. 

8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Daredevil" #11 / "Supergirl" #1 / "Blue Beetle: Rebirth" #1

"Daredevil" #11: Soule, Garney and Milla do such an outstanding job with Daredevil right now, it's hard not to almost expect excellence from this series month after month by now. If you haven't started reading it, do it now!

9/10

"Supergirl" #1: It's everything you'd expect from it, which is not necessarily a good thing. Kara misses home, clashes with the D.E.O. and has a hard time integrating into her new environment. Solid, but too predicable.

6/10

"Blue Beetle: Rebirth" #1: What's going on? Why do Jaime and Ted have no chemistry whatsoever? Who are these villains? What do they want? Why could no one write a better comic? Who could possibly be interested in #1?

4/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Batgirl & The Birds of Prey: Rebirth" #1 / "Nightwing: Rebirth" #1 / "Star Wars" #22

"Batgirl & The Birds of Prey: Rebirth" #1: That's how a "Rebirth" issue should be: a proper and interesting introduction to Batgirl and Barbara Gordon, and the Huntress makes for a perfect "frenemy". Thoroughly fun.

8/10

"Nightwing" #1: The depiction of Nightwing is nuanced and intelligent, and his relationship and dynamic with Damian Wayne is simply superb, but what the hell is going on half of the time? You'll have a hard time following the plot if you haven't been into Nightwing before. 

6/10

"Star Wars" #22: To see the Rebels fight an empirical starship is gripping and entertaining, unfortunately though, some narrative holes spoil the party a bit. The eventual encounter between SCAR Squad and Han, Luke and Leia promises to be epic.

7/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Daredevil" #10 / "Black Panther" #5 / "All Star Batman" #1

"Daredevil" #10: It takes a while for this new story arc to get out of the gates, but once in full swing, it is a thoroughly strong statement, artistically and narratively, from Soule and Garney.

8/10

"Black Panther" #5: Not quite the action yet promised after #4, but the interconnectedness and complexity of the comic's themes and motifs still makes this a must-read of 2016.

8/10

All Star Batman #1: Its theme of the potential evil which lurks in every common citizen and just needs to be triggered is nothing new in Snyder's Batman lore (just think of the "Mr. Bloom" story line). However, everything else here isn't, as Snyder, Romita and Shalvey go crazy with what Batman can be in 2016. 

10/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "The Fix" #4 / "Black Widow" #5 / "Star Wars" #21

I need to catch up with my comics, so here's something new to get up-to-date relatively quickly. Enjoy!

"The Fix" #4: More Mac, more Josh, more Pretzels, more mayhem. Fun, entertaining, hugely disturbing, the surprise series of 2016 keeps impressing.

9/10

"Black Widow" #5: It's pace and relentless action reminds of the fantastic first issue, as Natasha feels the heat on her from everywhere. Still great, even though it lacks some of the magic we were getting used to.

8/10

"Star Wars" #21: Superbly narrated, as its art perfectly matches the comic's sombre atmosphere. Whether you love or hate the Stormtrooper special unit we get to know here, their appeal is unmissable. Marvel's darkest Star Wars comic so far.

8/10

Review: "Daredevil" #9

Probably nothing sums up this brilliant comic better than when Spider-Man tells Daredevil

"You've gotta do stuff like that every once in a while. Find the joy in what we are and what we can do."

It's pure, unadulterated fun as a hilariously out-of-character Daredevil and an in-form Spider-Man chase a mysterious briefcase over the rooftops of Macau and Hong Kong. It's all wonderfully rendered by artist Goran Sudzuka and colorist Matt Milla, as they create a night scenery of darkness and light which serves as the perfect backdrop for Daredevil's and Spider-Man's joyride. A catharsis of sorts not just for the comic's heroes, but also for writer Charles Soule, before Daredevil returns to the dark alleys of NYC again in the next issue. 

9/10

Further Links:

Daredevil #8

Daredevil/The Punisher #1

Daredevil/The Punisher #2

Keepin' It 360: "Daredevil" #8

Matt Murdock goes James Bond, as he goes to Macau to win big in a poker tournament. Sounds stupid, but is actually brilliant stuff, as writer Soule and artist Sudzuka meticulously dramatize the action on the poker table with tense inner dialogues and stunning art. We even get a bit of Daredevil, as he unexpectedly meets an old friend. Casino Royale, indeed.

9/10

Further Links:

Daredevil #7

Daredevil/The Punisher #1

Daredevil #6

Keepin' It 360: "Daredevil" #7

This is easily the best comic of Soule's, Buffagni's and Milla's run at Daredevil so far. Elektra is a compelling focal point and (part-time) narrator of a story that offers an engaging mystery, intense character relations, clever twists and an overall tension that is impressively matched by an art style that is as breathtaking as it is imaginative.

9/10

Further Links:

Daredevil #6

Daredevil/The Punisher #1

Comic of the Day 30/4: "Daredevil" #6

Charles Soule's, Matteo Buffagni's and Matt Milla's run at Daredevil did not leave a lot to ask for up until now, and with the start of a new story line ("Electric Connection"), they are proving that they can handle Elektra as well as anything else. 

The comic comes straight out of the gate with the fight between Daredevil, Elektra and Blindspot, and is only interrupted by flashbacks dealing with Elektra's reappearance in Matt Murdock's life (remember, she doesn't know any more it's one and the same person). Although Soule isn't able to keep the tension between the two on a constantly high level (telling a romantic story is not one of his fortes), he manages to pull off some truly thrilling scenes, exploring the Elektra/Matt dynamic in its full potential. And the final twist here is surprisingly unpretentious and unpredictable.

But it's the action scenes that shine brightest here. Fast, relentless, superbly choreographed and with a highly aesthetic interplay between light and shadow and a great interpretation of Blindspot, Buffagni and Milla deliver a true high point of the series so far. 

8/10