Do you GET THE POINT? Marvel is trying their hand at getting you to pick up what I consider to be the best solo title coming from Marvel at the moment. Is it a worthwhile jumping on point or does it end up making you want to jump off a ledge?
Illustrated by Khoi Pham
Senses are challenged as The Man Without Fear must face off against secret societies that would preferably see his demise. Daredevil stands against his enemies and unknowingly sets the stage for THE OMEGA EFFECT!
Yesterday, the Eisner Award Nominations came out and “Daredevil” was the big news coming out of it. Mark Waid’s revamp of the popular character was proving to not only have success in sales but it became a critical darling, loved by most everyone, except those without souls.
*ahem*
This book continues to prove why the book deserves the acclaim with this point one, which as you know is designed to lure people on board to the book. Why you’re not reading the book is beyond me, but regardless, this issue pleaded the case for the continued reading the of the series, and it was a slam dunk, much like watching Nelson and Murdock work one of their cases in person.
Waid, who is one of the best writers in the business, boils all the essential Daredevil knowledge, from his outing as a hero to the current Omega Drive arc that’s been running since the launch 10 issues ago. Waid’s Murdock has that undeniable swagger that jumps off the page and charms you into the loving the book, from dealing with hired thugs who wanted to take him out, to dealing with not one but five criminal organizations who want to end him as much as he wants to help out those in need
If there is one misstep in the book, it’s the decision to publish a .1 right before a crossover. This issue of “Daredevil” #10.1 will lead into “Avenging Spider-Man” #6, which in turn follows up into “Punisher” #10, and finally into “Daredevil” #11 in a few weeks to close out ‘The Omega Effect’ (which surprisingly carries little reference to Batman traveling through time). Publishing a jumping on point for a book but then requiring the reader to pick up two books they might not be able to read is a real mistake in your reviewer’s humble opinion, and I think this .1 could have waited until after the mini-arc to find itself on the stands.
Furthermore, I was initially disappointed to learn that neither Martin nor Rivera were the issue’s illustrators, but was pleased to learn it was Khoi Pham. I’ve been up and down on Pham’s art in the past, but this issue complements Martin and Rivera’s styles more than I had anticipated, from the action to the Radar-Vision that has become the signature look of the book. Pham’s pencils are a welcome change of page that make the book just as enjoyable as the other issues, while giving it his own unique stamp on the series.
In the end, when it comes to .1 issues, I ask two main questions followed by many smaller ones. The first question is always the most important with books like this: “is it fun?”
Fun is essential to a superhero book like this as these are out fantasies between the covers, and who wants to be an accountant in their dreams? That’s right, no one. This book manages to pass that with flying colors, despite the fact that theirs is relatively little Daredevil in the book.
The second question is: “do things make sense?”
This question is actually essential to the first question, as getting lost in a book like this can get confusing at best and frustrating at worst. It also passes this with flying colors. The book is a great jumping on point in a vacuum. The only stumble is that this jumping on point doesn’t fall into the pages of “Daredevil,” but into the pages of other books I’m not sure I want to read. Otherwise, it’s outstanding in every way.
When it’s all said and done, if you’re a fan of Daredevil, you don’t be disappointed. If you’re a new fan, check this book out and think about picking it up. It’s completely worth it, I promise.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – Buy
