Daredevil #17 – Review

By: Mark Waid (writer), Mike Allred (art), Laura Allred (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story:  Matt remembers a very special gift from Foggy.  Also:  the dreaded STILT-MAN!

The Review:  Mike Allred!

That’s really the major selling point for this issue.  It becomes clear within the first two pages that Mark Waid’s Daredevil is a series that plays to the Allreds’ strengths.  Waid’s book is naturally upbeat and energetic with a slightly retro, pop-art feel.  Of course, all of what I just said also describes Mike and Laura Allred’s work, so seeing them take on Daredevil is something that just makes sense.  Waid also gives Allred the sort of stuff that also plays particularly to Allred’s strengths.  For instance, in selecting Stilt-Man for this issue, he gives Allred a zany character with wacky physical characteristics, which is just the sort of thing Allred excels at.  Put simply, this issue just pops and it’s the best looking comic book I picked up this week.  Despite the heart-wringing content of the story, the Allreds’ artwork just makes you feel happy.

WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best of last week: American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #3 – Not a huge surprise that this wins given that combining the talents of Scott Snyder and Dustin Nguyen is likely to produce very strong results, but even with high expectations the comic still delivers.  This sideline story in the AV universe is adding such depth to the overall series.

Most anticipated this week: 1). Butcher Baker the Righteous Maker #8 – Talk about a surprise!  I had just assumed this series would vanish.  I don’t remember that much about the overall story, but I can’t wait to see more of Joe Casey and Mike Huddleston’s delightfully raw look at a superhero “after the music”.

2). Saga #6 – This series is simple excellent.  Buy it!  I also liked the piece that was circulating the internet about how much more money the creators make doing Saga than they do working for Marvel/DC….made me smile.  The only bad thing about Saga is that it makes you realize how “meh” lots of your other comics are in the same way that Breaking Bad and Mad Men can ruin a lot of previously enjoyable TV shows.

3). The Walking Dead #101 – I don’t really know what to say here that won’t spoil what happened last issue, so I should merely say that I’m looking forward to it.  Or perhaps I could be vague like the solicitations for the series: “The characters try to move on from the horrible events they’ve just witnessed.”  Always captivating.

4). Saucer Country #6 – This has quietly turned into a very good series.  Folks who skipped it should keep an eye out for the first trade.

5). Avengers vs. X-Men #10 – This “event” has been a super-turd and shows you how screwed up superhero comics are that such talented creators can work so hard to make THIS, but I am anticipating it in the way that I enjoy watching a dumpster fire just to see what color smoke will come billowing out.  And what aromas!  It’s like burning diapers mixed with rotting meat.  Did Cyclops always wish that his visor covered his nose but he needed the Phoenix Force to make it happen?  Was the Phoenix Force always offended by Cyclops’ nose when he kissed Jean Grey and thought, “Someday, if I take over Scott, I’ll change his visor so that it covers his nose.”  Just remember: the creators of Scalped, Casanova, Criminal, Nightly New and Jinx worked together on this series.

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Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week:  Venom #22 – A perfect swansong to a fantastic run, Rick Remender shows everything he brought to Flash Thompson in the span of 22 pages.  A great read with fantastic art, if you’ve not read Remender’s run on Venom, I highly recommend picking it up in trade.

Most Anticipated:  Wonder Woman #12 – A year later, this is still in my personal top 5 of the new 52.  I loved the big cliffhanger last month and this month’s issue promises a big punch-up and Zola finally gives birth, apparently.  In other words, this looks like it’s going to be a pretty big issue for Azzarello’s Wonder Woman.

Saga #6 – Saga is a must-buy and will be on this list each and every time it comes out.  Vaughan and Staples pack so much story and world-building into each issue.  Last month’s issue also ended with a truly out-of-nowhere, shocking ending, and I’m anxious to see the blowback and whether Vaughan sticks to his guns on it.

Fatale #7 – Another regular must-buy, this series is the definition of “the same, but different” with Brubaker and Phillips doing their thing…but with a horror/Lovecraftian edge.  Fatale is always a layered, brooding read that manages to also be exciting.  At times it’s hard to keep all the pieces straight in my head, but it’s certainly an immersive experience and I look forward to spending some time in its world each and every issue.

Avengers vs. X-Men #10 – While the last issue was a bit of a mixed bag, I have enjoyed AvX overall and while it may be a couple of issues too long, it’s still my favourite event by far since Blackest Night.  It’s also taken a big turn in the right direction since the Phoenix Five and now with the Phoenix Five down to the Phoenix Two, I look forward to what comes next.

Daredevil #17 – I honestly wasn’t huge on the whole Latveria saga, but now we’re back in Hell’s Kitchen.  Plus, Mark Waid introduces a new villain and Matt Murdock is newly unemployed; my interest is definitely piqued.  None of that is the big story though.  The big news that makes this a must-buy is MIKE ALLRED.  Seriously, any Allred comic is at least worth a look and Allred drawing Daredevil?  SOLD!  Better still, Mike Allred got this gig after writing in a fan letter to the series.  How cool is that?