Daredevil Volume 7 Review

Daredevil tangles with monsters, the Jester and the white supremacists group; Sons of the Serpent in this final chapter of Mark Waid’s three year much acclaimed run on the Man Without Fear; Daredevil. This final trade paperback features art by Chris Samnee, Jason Copland and Javier Rodriguez throughout issues #31 – 36.

The concluding collection of Waid’s 2011 series is consistently entertaining and brilliant throughout, the story continues as Foggy goes through his treatment and Matt continues to lead his double life of running the law firm and being the crimson clad vigilante. At lest he’s got a replacement to help with one on his careers as Kristen Mc Duffie returns, bringing back romance into the forefront to Matt’s life. An early interaction between Matt and Foggy provides one of the funniest moments of the series but it very quickly goes into a very serious territory as Daredevil takes on something that is different from his usual super villain antagonist. A riot instigated by the media manipulations of the Jester working on behalf of the Sons of the Serpent. It’s a more realistic problem than we've been used to and maintains that the story feels fresh and being a great chance of pace.

Members of the white supremacist group are hidden everywhere in plain sight across New York and even hidden within the justice system. They've employed the Jester to help prompt riots and spread their message of hate throughout the city. In an attempt to stop the group Matt seeks to learn more and his investigation leads him down South crossing paths with the Legion of Monsters. Their inclusion of the monsters is a slightly kookier element to the series but Waid makes it work, it injects some variety and who better to reveal the occult origins of the serpents than these monsters whose own origins come from the occult.

It deftly mixes action with moments of serious, cultural insight .The story approaches a thrilling climax as Matt is faced with some hard choices, things get darker and more intense for Matt Murdock. It also continues to inject humor and fun to the character that has been really put through the worst of times of his life, adhering to the initial approach of the series.The drama, the twists, the turns all takes place in this final chapter of this acclaimed run, making Daredevil one of the greatest and best superhero comics, returning the vigilante hero to his former glory Making one of the best Daredevil series since Frank Milller and Brian Michael Bendis’s earlier runs.

The final issue does have that grand series finale feel to it, Matt’s revelation in the story’s conclusion is felt throughout the Marvel universe. This story arc was a great end to a fantastic series, Mark Waid wrapped up his run in a satisfying ending. Few superhero books have kept the consistent high level of quality that Daredevil has these past few years, for 36 issues this series has been one of the best monthly superhero comic around. To call it amazing doesn't really give you the full scope of how good it is, but it must be said: Daredevil is amazing, describing it as monumental probably doesn't do it justice. From the very first issue Mark Waid gave this series a new direction and tone that was a brighter and more adventurous Daredevil that, at times, felt like the heart of the Marvel Universe.

Collected over seven trade paperbacks this era of Daredevil comes to an end,the series focused a lot on Matt Murdock, the legal practice and the nature of his abilities. The creators also sought to bring out the swashbuckling namesake of Daredevil, becoming more daring and adventurous than before. We’re reminded that his abilities are both a blessing and a curse, the stories never feel stale, Waid gives the readers enough innovations to keep his stories feeling fresh and creative. The shift in tone both narratively and visually continued to open the character and his stories to more possibilities than just crime noir which had characterized the horned hero for decades. a character so used to be steeped in darkness, constantly getting knocked down, he reached a turning point, changing his attitude to what he had to deal with, giving a more upbeat and positive spin on the character’s perspective. Mark Waid’s run had a good balance of lighter fun moments and dark tense moments, which always made it an exciting and exhilarating series easily making it one the best superhero comic book around. I've never read a series from issue #1 to its end, It is a stellar series.

What you expected was a bittersweet end to an amazing series, the sad poignant cover art of the final issue, that even has an the inscription “DD vol.3 2011 – 2013” hidden along with the names of previous Daredevil creators makes it all feel like the end, only its not. Thankfully it would continue onto a new series for 2014 with the same creative team returning starting again at #1 as Matt Murdock takes on the next part of his adventure that had been set up in the final pages of this story arc. It will be exciting to see that gives way to what will hopefully be an equally fantastic series. I bide my time though I’ll wait and get back into previous successful runs on Daredevil by Frank Miller and later by Brian Michael Bendis. For three years Mark Waid’s take gave a very different and unique approach on the Daredevil, sustaining his reputation as one of my favorite and most underrated comic book characters. 

Superman Unchained Deluxe Edition Review

Since his arrival Superman marked the dawn of the superhero age, the Man of Steel waged a never-ending battle for truth and justice, no matter when or where. But decades before the Last Son of Krypton became Earth's champion another being of incredible power fell from the sky. This “super soldier” has been living in secret and working for the US Government since his arrival 75 years ago.

Superman Unchained is a nine issue mini series celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Man of Steel. The action packed series, created by two of comic’s greats; writer Scott Snyder and artist Jim Lee, collectively crafting a story of comic’s greatest hero. The launch of the New 52 series also coincided with the release of the character’s return to the big screen in 2013’s blockbuster; Man of Steel.

The most recognized superhero in pop culture, Superman has been elevated to mythic folk hero status. Rocketed to Earth from the dying planet Krypton, baby Kal-El was found by a farming couple who named the boy Clark Kent and raised him as their own. Discovering his enormous powers, they instilled in him strong moral values—and inspired him to become a hero.

Since The New 52 began, the only two series I collected in graphic novels was Batman and Justice League. Superman Unchained is written by Batman writer Scott Snyder with Justice League artist Jim Lee. One of comic’s greatest writers and one it’s greatest artist coming together giving fans a new take of the world’s greatest superhero in one of the greatest Superman adventures told in this limited and stand alone series. 

Superman is not the only super powered alien being that fell from the sky, one existed before him but had remained in secret for the United States Military. Superman begins to uncover the decades old secret when satellites start to fall from the sky, leaving the big question of whom or what altered the trajectory of the last one. This alien being of immense power and strength arrived on earth in 1938 (a nod to the original creation of Superman) working with the US Government and Military since his arrival. An example of the extent of both his role and power is revealed within the opening of issue #1, a flashback to the bombing of Nagasaki during the Second World War in 1945.

Superman Unchained features a fully realized but younger Man of Steel. The opening of the story features Superman is taking on a colossal disaster of satellites all simultaneously crashing towards earth and the presumable perpetrators of the catastrophe is Ascension, a cyber terrorist group. The conflict of crashing satellites is well fit for Superman’s talents as well a providing action scenes on a massive scale. One noteworthy addition Snyder brings to the series is Clark’s internal monologue depicting his thought process before an incredible feat. This aspect is absent as the story progresses but makes a return in the penultimate issue. The story features Superman’s best supporting characters featuring Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Batman, Wonder Woman and the mysterious alien known as Wraith all figure into in this epic story.

Wraith had arrived before Superman and has been cooperating with the US Government in a way Superman never would, sharing its advanced technology with the military and being their own super solider, their very own Superman. The two super beings meet earlier than expected in the story and in a surprising way. Rather than get into a battle the pair work together, which makes sense as Wraith has been on earth for decades and why now suddenly want to fight the Man of Steel. Everything concerning the being is mysterious his arrival, the extent of his powers and why he really works with General Lane and the military, there is more to this new character than meets the eye. The benevolent figure does fulfill a mentoring role to Superman, examining his time on earth, he questions our hero to re-evaluate his cause, his duty and his choices on his adopted home world. He gives Superman the realization of the futility of some of his actions. For a series that celebrates the 75th anniversary of Superman, it puts significant focus on his legacy, examining his place in the world and his relationship with humanity. Never before has a story showed the human side to be a weakness of Superman, the ineffectual of his existence as an outsider is very interesting and valid point. If the function of Wraith is to make our hero better he fulfills it here putting Superman’s role and duty to his adopted planet in the spotlight. Just as New 52 Superman is young, capable and intelligent, Lois Lane equally shares those qualities, she captures some of the spotlight in own intriguing side story as she is faced with the cyber terrorist group Ascension. One of the biggest changes to Superman in the New 52 was that he was no longer married to or in a relationship with Lois Lane, it was wiped from continuity. For fans of that classic romance, Lois and Superman share a touching moment together, the likes of which haven’t been seen since before the New 52. It’s fresh approach for the two pair to share a connection without Lois having to overly admire/ moon over Superman. One relationship that hasn't changed is that of Superman and Batman, they still share the unique friendship with the Dark Knight being one of his greatest allies and confidants. Snyder has plenty of experience of writing Batman and takes a different take here playing a significant role in the story and has some great lines getting to have his own brand of “fun” in this story. In my opinion, some of the best Superman stories feature General Lane and the military, giving a grounded element to a story. The revelation that Wraith arrived on earth prior to Superman gives the military further reason to distrust him, he hasn't fallen in line and co-operated with the military the same way Wraith his predecessor has. Throughout it continues to be an action packed and exciting story of the greatest hero on earth, making Superman appear more human without downplaying his godlike qualities.

It’s great to see Superman penciled by Jim Lee once again since the brilliant Superman For Tomorrow and as part of the Justice League. Lee’s New 52 redesign of the character was my favorite of the re-launch. His art gives you some of the some of the best comic book art you will ever see. The action packed fights, action and almost dialogue free finale lets the artist tell so much of the epic story. Artist Dustin Nguyen does equally well in a handful of backup and flashback sequences, similar to the artist’s role in Snyder’s Batman series.

The story is action packed and the story is both intriguing and exciting from issue #1. The action doesn't let up, there is rarely a quiet moment within the nine issue story, sometimes lengthy story arcs that run as long as this can lose momentum or dip in story quality, this story gets better and builds with every issue. Just when you think the final you know the final conflict, it’s merely a prelude to a much bigger threat, a testament to the quality of the creators story telling abilities. It does feel akin to the blockbuster 2013 Superman movie, both redefine the character for a new generation, their action packed and Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent doesn't feature too heavily, he makes minor appearances in this book. It’s a vastly entertaining and large scale Superman action story tackling the ever changing meaning of his existence.

The Deluxe Edition is a large volume and a great bonus it collects the over 50 variant covers of the series depicting notable eras in the characters 75 year history. The self contained story and the inclusion of all Superman’s best known supporting characters make this accessible to new readers whilst having more than enough subject matter of Superman’s legacy to satisfy long time fans. Also contains #1 Director’s Cut.

Superman Unchained is a modern re-introduction of the character to ever growing complicated world, no longer the all knowing ultimate do-gooder, instead is man trying to do the best he can in the ever increasingly complicated world. Stepping away from the ol’ fashioned and dated portrayal Snyder uses his story line as a means of not just redefining the Superman but better defining the character becoming more contemporary. The inclusion of Superman’s best known supporting characters ensured that the story had the intent of being a great Superman story whilst the revelation of another “Superman” assured fans that this would be a distinctive adventure, it feels like a sure future classic. It all makes for a really enjoyable, really smart, and visually sharp Superman story. 

Superman Unchained succeeds in both being an exciting and thrilling contemporary story, in addition to acknowledging the longevity and legacy of the world’s first and greatest superhero.