Daredevil [2022] #4 - Marvel Comics

DAREDEVIL No. 4, December 2022

Swapping the dangerous streets of Hell’s Kitchen for arguably the even more inhospitable mountains of a secret island somewhere south of Russia, Chip Zdarsky’s narrative for Issue Four of “Daredevil” must have proved a curious experience for long-term fans of Hornhead. Sure, the Man Without Fear is still depicted battling ninjas towards the end of this twenty-page periodical’s plot in a genuinely pulse-pounding finale. But many a bibliophile will also feel as unfamiliar with the super-hero’s new surroundings as a trepidatious Cole North clearly does.

Indeed, one of the Canadian author’s greatest strengths in telling this comic’s story, is by doing so through the eyes and experiences of the “highly regarded detective”. Supposedly ‘stinking of regular people’, the police officer is clearly still unsure as to whether he’s made the right decision by following Matt Murdock’s alter-ego to this isolated location, and this uncertainty, evidently heightened when he encounters the formidably-sized Doc (Samson) Sasquatch, cleverly imbues the audience with similar reservations as to the titular character’s resolution “to leave his city behind” and “save the world from the violent and ruthless Hand.”

Also quite cleverly adding to this atmosphere of unwelcomeness, is the incredibly dislikeable Jab, a mercenary recruited by Elektra Natchios, who clearly feels the need to ‘stamp his supposed authority’ upon the newcomers – unwisely even trying to intimidate Daredevil himself with his fake bravado; “We’re supposed to follow some guy in a Halloween Costume who beats up muggers?” This disagreeable bully is ultimately put in his place by a sense-shattering sock to the jaw by North, after the one-eyed goon stupidly attempts to beat him up in the practice arena, and in getting bested helps settle both the reader, as well as Cole, into the ongoing tale’s foreign environment.

Equally as enjoyable as Zdarsky’s proficient penmanship though is Rafael De Latorre’s prodigious pencilling, which really helps ‘sell’ the unease experienced by Murdock’s friends and allies. In addition, the Brazilian illustrator’s layouts, combining the New York City cop’s fisticuffs alongside Daredevil and Elektra’s vicious scrap against a disconcertingly dark den full of undead warriors, is marvellously handled - imbuing every blow with a bone-crunching reality, and debatably fooling any onlooker into believing they're witnessing Matt overcoming his doubts rather than North.

The regular cover art to "DAREDEVIL" #4 by Marco Checchetto & Matthew Wilson