Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artists: Alex Maleev, with Gene Colan, Lee Weeks, Klaus Janson, John Romita Sr., Joe Quesada, Mike Avon Oeming, David Mack, and any respective inkers
Publisher: Marvel/MK
It's very ironic how much I liked the 430th issue of Daredevil (for those of you keeping track). Brian Michael Bendis uses the same formula he's used with the rest of the storyline---a heavy narrative on Matt Murdoch's part---which I didn't find quite to my liking. It seemed a bit too reliant on Hollywood clichés and the ongoing general struggle of superheroes, which left it feeling more like a satire. However, Mr. Bendis nails it here, with one of the best inner monologues I've ever seen written on a superhero---or anyone for that matter. This clearly is written as a Daredevil book, even thought it is spoken through Matt Murdoch. In this one issue, Mr. Bendis lets all of the anger, emotion and feeling of Murdoch out in his thrashing of the Kingpin. It's everything Jeph Loeb didn't do with his recent Batman/Joker issue.
The issue begins with a demonstration of just how terrorizing the Kingpin can be. Mr. Bendis lets the reader know what Murdoch is up against. This is fresh off the buildup of Typhoid Mary burning him in the streets, and Bullseye confronting him as he has numerous times before. Besides bringing back Daredevil's most prominent villains, this also allows Mr. Bendis to lead directly into this issue. No introduction is necessary as to why the Kingpin's fat ass is about to bleed; it's already been explained in the last four issues. It brings the Daredevil character to a whole new level, as instead of fighting the control crime has over his city, he is the control. There were two things I found wrong with this issue, and one is something I'll get to in my art commentary. But the other is the "I hurt my pinky" line in the middle of the fight which I'm not sure if Mr. Bendis was trying to be funny, realistic, or both, but it just seems a bit out of place. I'll give him full credit for being innovative though.
Alex Maleev shatters all preconceptions I had about him in this issue. In his strongest performance yet, Maleev masterfully brings this climatic battle to life. The art at times was so real, it breathed. Mr. Maleev perfectly contrasts the villainous Kingpin to the brighter, more agile nature of the Daredevil. Look for some excellent artist cameos in this issue, most notably from John Romita Sr. and Gene Colan, whose art looks just as good as it did in their heyday, if not better. The problem I mentioned earlier was David Mack's vomit of a panel on the fifteenth page, but I guess it works in the end by making the Kingpin appear unattractive and ugly.
This issue is so good, it redeems the ones leading up to it. It's the Daredevil character at his best, which can't be put into words, so you better pick it up to see what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, David Mack picks up the title soon, and I don't know if I want to be around for that.
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