Ed Brubaker has been rocking it big time on Daredevil. This title is certainly one of Marvel’s best reads. Daredevil is a refreshing break from all the Civil War nonsense. Brubaker almost never disappoints me. I’m sure that Daredevil #89 is going to be a great read. Let’s roll the review.
Creative Team
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Penciller: Michael Lark
Inker: Stefano Gaudiano
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Synopsis: The issue starts with Matt and Foggy opening their new office. Their secretary is none other than Karen Page. Matt then wakes up in his hotel room. It was just a dream. Matt is Monaco staying at a very ritzy casino hotel. Matt has been using his super senses to know when the other players are bluffing allowing him to become a huge high roller who constantly wins. Matt is doing this in hopes that he will get Tybold Lucca, a local mob boss with ties to Alton Lennox, to invite him to Lucca’s yearly gala event where Lucca invites all the high rollers in Monaco to attend.
After Matt finishes winning more money at the gambling table, he is approached by a woman who gives him an invite to Lucca’s gala event. Matt notices a strange scent when the woman gave him the invite.
We shift to Matt at Lucca’s estate. Matt uses his radar to track Alton Lennox talking with Lucca up in Lucca’s study. Matt then runs into the woman who gave him his invite. She turns out to be Lucca’s daughter, Lily Lucca. Matt asks her if she knows Alton Lennox. Her heart skips a beat and she tells Matt to steer clear of her father and his friends. Lily says that Lenox is here to finalize a deal between Lucca and some associates from Spain. Lilly and Matt then walk over to the main attraction. Lucca has a small bull fighting ring on his estate. Matt takes a seat and watches a masked Matador fight and kill two lions. Matt notices that the Matador is too young to be Manuel Elongato. After the Matador is finished the lions, Lucca takes center stage and announces the arraigned marriage between his daughter, Lily and Senor Munoz’s son, Jamie. Munoz is some crime family from Barcelona.
Suddenly, the matador stabs and kills Lucca. Matt then slips into his Daredevil outfit and jumps into the battle. Daredevil tells Lennox to take Lily to safety. The matador and Daredevil lock horns and brawl. Some armed thugs come to the matador’s aid and start shooting at Daredevil. Daredevil retreats and notices Lennox and Lily taking off in a helicopter. Daredevil hears Lily say “Save me.” Then Daredevil realizes the odd scent about Lily. Lily’s scent reminds Matt of Karen Page.
We then cut to a henchman telling a mysterious figure hooked up to an I.V. unit that he picked the perfect bait. That they have Matt on the hook. End of issue.
Comments
The Good: Have I mentioned lately how much I love Brubaker’s writing? Right now, Brubaker is probably my favorite writer in the industry. I thought Bendis’ run on Daredevil was incredible. I didn’t think anything could top it. I was wrong. I think Brubaker’s run on Daredevil is even better.
Daredevil #89 is another fine read. Brubaker does a masterful job with the pacing in this issue. Brubaker starts with issue with a nice slow pace and sets the stage for the latter half of the issue. Once Brubaker gets all of the players in place he then ramps up the pacing and delivers an exciting action packed final scene. Brubaker then hooks the reader at the end of the issue with the mysterious figure who is pleased that Matt Murdock has taken his bait.
Brubaker crafts excellent dialogue in this issue. Brubaker creates such a wonderfully vivid and complex world that pulls the reader in with the first page of the comic and doesn’t let go until the end. I love the feel and rhythm of this story. What I love the most about a Brubaker comic is that he usually relies on strong character development and excellent dialogue to tell a compelling story rather than relying on huge brawls and mindless action.
Brubaker continues to increase the intrigue concerning Alton Lennox. We finally see this elusive attorney, but are still left wondering what in the world his connection with Daredevil is. Lily Lucca is another interesting character. I thought that her scent being similar to Karen Page was a neat touch. And then the mysterious man hooked up to the I.V. unit at the end of the issue was yet another twist in this mystery. Also add into the mix a mysterious matador who killed Lucca and is after Lily for some unkown reason. I cannot wait to see how Brubaker connects all the dots in this story.
Brubaker delivers a mystery like very few writers are able to do. The tension and anticipation that Brubaker is able to build up in the reader is incredible. I am on the edge of my seat when I read Daredevil because you never know what in the world is going to happen next.
Lark’s artwork is not the style of art that I usually enjoy. However, Lark’s style is perfect for Daredevil. It matches the mood and tone of the story.
The Bad: No complaints with this issue.
Overall: Daredevil #89 is another fantastic read. Brubaker continues to throw twists and turns at the reader while constructing an engrossing mystery that leaves the reader wanting more by the end of this issue. I cannot recommend Daredevil enough. This is definitely one of Marvel’s top titles.