Sun. Fun. Bikinis and palm trees.
Not exactly Daredevil territory, and yet there Mat Murdock sits, in a dark room in the San Francisco police department using his super powers to help find a missing girl. Already making himself a nuisance to local cops, Murdock has landed in California with a crash. A woman connected to the police has had her daughter kidnapped. How she and the SFPD came to find and use Matt Murdock is never explained, but it all ties in with the new life of Daredevil.
Having revealed himself as a superhero, Murdock sits without a costume, analyzing a ransom note with just his fingertips. It’s interesting to watch Murdock work his abilities without his outfit. These scenes also give readers a gentle reminder of just how nuanced Daredevil’s powers can be.
Writer Mark Waid knows better than to keep Daredevil locked in a room for too long. Quickly, the analysis turns to full-on chase scene. Having found the child, our hero is quick to rescue her from evil. Problem is, the pursuers refuse to let the girl go. These are not your standard kidnappers – they look like super villain soldiers and fly glider jets much like the Green Goblin. Another oddity? The kidnappers seem to be leading Daredevil in a specific direction.
Daredevil #1 is the type of high-octane good time that Waid has been pumping out since he took over the series. Daredevil is in unfamiliar territory here. Having become used to swinging through NYC, the sudden switch to SF has thrown off his game. No worries, Murdock’s girlfriend/co-worker Kirsten McDuffie is using her computer skills to try and guide Daredevil across the new terrain via an earpiece.
Ultimately, the issue between the kidnappers and Daredevil reaches a level that puts exactly how out of place he is in the west. Waid has a new playground here, one where Daredevil must relearn all that he relied on. There’s also a strong ending, a cliffhanger that will peak interests for the next issue.
I seriously hope Chris Samnee stays on Daredevil for as long as Waid does. They work perfectly together. Samnee has the same light touch to his art that Waid does to his writing. While not the same style, Samnee has the same appeal that Steve Ditko or Jack Kirby had – that ability to make the work leap right off the page. The bold lines and heavy inks give everything a strong presence, while the slim details in the background give pop to the foreground art. Waid and Samnee are a winning team, one that I hope stays with the red-horned hero for years to come.
(4.5 Art, 4.5 Story)
