Daredevil #63

Alex Maleev has never quite impressed me with his ability to deliver action, but this is largely due to the fact that most of the previous exchanges played out in poorly lit locations. However this issue features a fantastic back and forth exchange where Daredevil, and later the Black Widow square off against a hired killer on the rooftops, and what's more the battle takes place on a bright, sunny day. In fact the sequence where the bullet races toward Natasha is one of the more visually intense moments this series has ever offered up. The quiet danger of the final page intrusion is also quite impressive, with a great final panel reveal. Read Full Review

Ive been following Daredevil since the series was relaunched in 1998. Ive enjoyed almost everything Bendis has done on the series. So Im biased, but this is still a good book. Gaydos draws a good fight scene, though it isnt clear how Natasha gets Quinn of the ground to strangle him. Pacing is nice, and the moves are fluid. Bendis gives us honest dialogue at the end between Natasha and Matt. If youre more of a Black Widow fan than a Daredevil fan, youll like this. Overall, another great issue in a great series. Read Full Review

And if the writing is a bit too grim and gritty for this Mark Bagley/Tom Grummet (heck, Frank Miller even!) fan, then the art is about 300 shades to dark. I admit Maleev has an almost photographic command of anatomy and shading, but thats only if your camera is covered in grime and unable to focus in bright light. If I wanted to watch a movie, Id be at one, which is the same attitude I apply to Alex Ross. Instead, Im reading a comic, and I want some four color spandex with bright and shiny inking, please. Hes the main reason Im not a regular reader. Read Full Review

If youre a regular reader youll still get something out of this, but its an issue to be tolerated and enjoyed in equal measure; and its definitely not a good place to start reading if youre a newcomer. However, something tells me Daredevil will pick up again after this arc is over a small blip on an otherwise exemplary run. Read Full Review