Daredevil is no more, but that hasn’t stopped Matt Murdock from helping others. To Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin is no more as well, which has stopped him from being his true self. Minor spoilers for Daredevil #12 follow.
Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky so far has been nothing but great. Every issue adds another layer to the series and expands on the themes that had previously been established. This issue is no different and is honestly one of the best issues of the series so far, if not the best. The dichotomy between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk is the core to this issue and it works incredibly well. This brings forth an emotionally resonant issue combined with some exciting action.
The looming theme of this issue fall solely on the dichotomy between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk. Both are trying to leave their old lives behind, yet its so much harder than they think it is. Matt no longer wants to fight due to the guilt he feels over causing someone’s death. Fisk on the other hand, despite still being corrupt, no longer wants to peddle in the underworld; he wants to be kind of legit. However, despite their best efforts to become these new selves, they aren’t able to. It’s an incredibly engrossing story that really dives into the hearts of these two characters. As different as they believe they are, they’re so much more similar than they want to believe. Zdarsky’s depiction of these two is honestly the best depiction since maybe Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli’s “Born Again” storyline.
Combine the thematic efforts of this issue with the action heavily present in it, this issue becomes an incredibly enjoyable read. There’s a lot going on, but it never feels hard to follow. Matt and Wilson are going through the same journey, so they’re action works accordingly. When Matt is fighting, Wilson is attempting to be calm. When Wilson is raging, Matt tries to be calm. It’s brilliantly executed to build on the dichotomy of the two but is so understated that it becomes an even grander gesture.
Marco Checchetto’s art then enhances every bit of thematic writing in this issue. On a basic linework level, this issue is gorgeous. Everything about this issue establishes the perfect tone and storytelling choices to make this issue as good as possible. The fight scenes are phenomenal. The dinner table scenes are tense and nail-biting. The end especially is brutal, even if it leaves most to the imagination.
Checchetto then makes the pacing of the issue excellent because of his spot-on placing of panels. For the most part, the issue flows really well with no jerky stops and starts that the issue presents. There are a couple when perspective changes, but they are few and far between.
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