Daredevil #506 – Review

by Andy Diggle & Antony Johnston (writers), Marco Checchetto (art), Matt Hollingsworth (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story: Matt tries to gain Bakuto’s trust, but he doesn’t realize the traitor in his midst.

What’s Good: With every passing issue, Diggle carves out Daredevil as his own, continuing to distinguish his take on the title from those who came before.  This month, that becomes all the more clear.  This is a far cry from the noir tinged brawling in Hell’s Kitchen that we’re used to.  Instead, this is a straight up ninja story in an environment that is essentially a pocket of feudal Japan in the  modern Marvel Universe.

This time, Diggle expands this further by re-introducing Hand magic.  There are exploding bodies a-plenty here.  All told, it’s a good amount of fun, if only because it’s different from what we’ve become used to in Daredevil, setting the book even further apart from the rest of Marvel’s offerings.  Diggle has crammed more or less every variety of ninja related awesomeness he can into this book, while distancing it from the gritty realism of his predecessors’ work on the title.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Red Robin #11 – Although Morrison is weaving an exciting web, in my books, all eyes are on Tim Drake. Red Robin #11 delivered action, excitement, danger and guest stars! And surprise (!) Tim Drake is engaged!? Check it out!

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #0 and Flash #1! It’s a tie! What great a week is it when you get to read two titles by Geoff Johns.

Other Top Picks: Batman #698, Batgirl #9, New Mutants #12, Daredevil #506

Joe’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 – Packed with enough mad ideas for five comic series and filled with cameos for the lifetime Marvel fan and new characters for the more recent readers, this first issue was damn good.  The sensation I was left with after closing this book was what I always hope to feel when trying a new title out, but rarely ever actually feel.  If you didn’t like this, you just might not like comics.

Most Anticipated: The Flash #1/Brightest Day #0 – The name Geoff Johns has been consistently paired with some great comics over the last few years, and his streak shows no signs of coming to a halt.  And while both Flash: Rebirth and Blackest Night weren’t perfect in my eyes, I still have high expectations for these two new ongoings written by the scribe.  And I mean, really, how can your inner geek not be excited about getting a free Flash ring?!

Other Picks: Secret Six #20, New Mutants #12, Siege: Captain America, X-Factor Forever #2, Punisher MAX #6

Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Sweet Tooth #8 -A fantastic new character, a stunning twist, and 22 pages that run the full gamut of genuine human emotions make for an easy pick of the week.  More people need to be reading this book.

Most Anticipated: The Flash #1 -Who doesn’t love the Flash?  With possibly the perfect creative team for this book, there are so many reasons to be excited about this book.  With all the delays Rebirth experienced, I’ve had a serious hankering for a monthly Flash book for a while now.

Other Picks: Brightest Day #0, Daredevil #506, Powers #4, Punishermax #6, Secret Six #20, The Unwritten #12, Fables #94, DMZ #52, The Walking Dead #72

Dean’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: SHIELD #1 – This is one of the best new comics put out by Marvel in a LONG time.  Fanboy continuity complaints aside, this was a great set-up issue with awesome art.  Now go buy it so that Marvel doesn’t cancel this after 5 issues!

Most Anticipated: New Mutants #12 –  Can’t believe New Mutants would be most anticipated?  Well….it is the next chapter of Second Coming so be sure not to miss it!

Others: Brightest Day #0, Daytripper #5, Forgetless #4, Iron Man Legacy #1, Irredeemable Special #1