Review: Daredevil Vol. 6 by Mark Waid

Quick Summary

Pros: The first storyline here is filled with suspense. Character development continues to be excellent. The artwork also continues to be great.

Cons: Fans looking for nonstop action will find it in smaller quantities here. The book’s second storyline is only alright.

Overall: While not the most bombastic collection in the Daredevil series, this volume maintains a good level of excitement while also finding time for character development. The first story is very good and delivers a solid story of suspense, while the second is an alright team-up. This isn’t the greatest place to jump into this series, but it is a nice interlude for those who have been reading for a while.

Collection Notes

Daredevil Vol. 6 by Mark Waid contains issues #28-30 of the Daredevil series and issues #9-10 of the Indestructible Hulk series. Since the Indestructible Hulk issues only tangentially relate to the Daredevil storyline, we will instead by covering them in our review of Indestructible Hulk Vol. 2: Gods and Monster (Review).

Story

After dealing with the conclusion of a major plotline in the previous volume, Daredevil Vol. 6 by Mark Waid sees Daredevil go on a few smaller escapades. These lower stakes adventures are great on their own and also provide a nice change of pace from the intense action of the previous volume. There is still plenty of action here though, as cults and alien intrusions keep Daredevil busy. However, there is also time for character moments and the creation of potential story arcs for the future. Though this isn’t the best Daredevil volume of all time, it is an enjoyable interlude between more chaotic adventures.

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The first storyline in this volume involves Daredevil reconnecting with Nate, a bully from his childhood. This former bully was also a member of the Sons of the Serpent gang and now needs Matt’s help as a lawyer to defend his past. The two go to court, only to find the whole thing has been staged by the Serpents in order to silence Matt’s bully. They shoot Nate and immediately disguise themselves with the populace, triggering a police lockdown. Daredevil eventually saves everyone but is nearly defeated multiple times before doing so.

The first major positive about this storyline is how well it builds intensity and suspense. Locking Daredevil in a building with number of unknown enemies means that any corner turned could be hazardous and any potential friend could be a foe. Then, Waid ups the ante by adding a bomb into the mix. The entire adventure kept me on the edge of my seat and made for a wonderful read.

The second major positive is the character building. Characters have been great this entire run and this storyline is no different. First, we see a brief scene showing Matt continuing to support Foggy in his cancer treatment. Then, we see Matt dealing with aspects of his past that paint him in a less than positive light. It shows that Matt can be a good friend when he needs to be and that he is more than willing to make up for the mistakes he has made over time.

The book’s other storyline is alright but ends up being less enjoyable than the first. It is mostly a team up between Daredevil and the Silver Surfer, where the duo attempt to track down a rogue alien. This leads to some entertaining moments, such as Daredevil riding the Surfer’s board and the return of Kirsten McDuffie. However, the entire adventure feels like a thin excuse for a team-up rather than a unique story of its own, making it rather bland.

(spoilers end here)

Art

The first two chapters in this book are penciled and colored by Javier Rodriguez. Rodriguez manages to keep up with the quality level this series has become known for and even manages to keep the style consistent. Daredevil’s powers look great and the rest of the world has just the right amount of detail. Chris Samnee also has a chapter in this volume, where he adds in all of the positives we talked about in the previous volume.

Continuity

Daredevil Vol. 6 is a direct continuation of the events in Daredevil Vol. 5 (Review). It also contains two issues from the Indestructible Hulk series, also collected in Indestructible Hulk Vol. 2: Gods and Monster (Review).

The story here will continue in Daredevil Vol. 7.

This volume also references stories from other comic books, all of which are detailed below:

• At the very start of this volume, a newspaper headline teases
  • “Spider-Slayer to be executed aboard the Raft!” refers to the events of Superior Spider-Man Vol. 3: No Escape.
  • “Where are the Fantastic Four?” refers to the events of Fantastic Four Vol. 1: New Departure, New Arrivals.
  • “New Nova!” refers to the hero in Nova Vol. 1: Origin.
• The flashback to a Daredevil’s past fight against the Sons of the Serpent is a direct reference to Defenders #24, which is currently uncollected