Daredevil #601 // Review
With the mayor in critical care, New York City unknowingly makes a deal with the devil.
With the shocker ending of Daredevil #600 still echoing through fans’ heads, writer Charles Soule, artist Mike Henderson, and colorist Matt Milla have all pooled together to continue what has become known as the “Mayor Murdock” story. And it is a solid delight.
The comic picks right back up from the end of #600, with Matt Murdock finding out he’s now mayor of New York City--while in the back of a police van, disguised as Daredevil, and handcuffed to the floor. Unable to break out, Daredevil tries to talk his way out of the van…only for The Hand’s ninja goons to try and kill him instead. After escaping in a wonderfully choreographed fight sequence that Jackie Chan himself would have found entertaining, Matt makes his way back to City Hall.
The moment that he sets foot in his office, Matt sets about trying to fix New York. Matt first directs the police forces to protect the people, to ignore the Hand as much as possible. His friends, captured last issue in a sting operation, are set free to try and rid the city of the Hand’s forces, with a full pardon, of course. Since this ticks off one of Mayor Fisk’s advisors, Matt simply shrugs and fires the man.
Needless to say, even though the storyline has been building for only a few issues, the catharsis here is real and enjoyable.
And, of course, there is also get a brief scene with the captured heroes being freed from superjail. It’s a shame that the story doesn’t follow the heroes yet, but the next issue advertisement promises action and punching from the next issue.
The real problem is, the leader of the Hand has been informed of the change in leadership for New York City, and his mouth twists into a horrible grin as he hears the name Matthew Murdock.
The story may be simple and setting up part two, but there is a lot to process here. Matt Murdock is back in his element, and cocky as hell. It’s refreshing and just plain fun to see. Soule obviously has an endgame for this story in mind, and does a good job making sure the reader doesn’t forget about Mayor Fisk, or that this position for Matt is temporary.
Henderson continues his great job of drawing and inking excellent fights, and his facial expressions remain top notch. Millia’s colors, of course, remain awesome. His choice of colors for Daredevil’s radar vision remain excellent choices, making the pages pop.
Daredevil is arguably the best it’s been in years, and this is definitely a story to check out.
