Book Review: Daredevil: Back in Black Vol. 5 by C. Soule et al.

Daredevil: Back in Black Volume 5: Supreme written by C. Soule and art by Goran Sudzuka, Alec Morgan, and Ron Garney

This volume has two stories in it. The first, the titular "Supreme," has Matt Murdock arguing his way up the legal system to allow for the testimony of masked superheroes without revealing their secret identities. He starts off by setting up a case where Daredevil can testify on behalf of the prosecution against some small-time New York thugs. The plot has a couple of actions scenes so the tension isn't completely on the legal arguments. While the characters are on board with the plan, it's not really clear that success will make a sea-change for the superhero community or the criminal community. Will criminals be more worried if the superheroes capturing them can also testify against them in court? If heroes get tied up testifying in legal cases, will that cut down on saving the world?

The second story follows up on the fate of Blindspot, the new apprentice to Daredevil from previous volumes. Blindspot's mother took him back to China deep in the mainland. Daredevil gets a message from Blindspot asking him to come, it's an emergency. Sure sounds like a trap, but Matt Murdock travels there anyway, discovering a secret, fog-enshrouded temple in the middle of a Chinese jungle. The story makes some interesting turns. It also resolves the situation (Blindspot's fate and Matt's guilt over what happened) that has been hanging for quite a while.

Daredevil is in China for a long time. On his arrival back, he discovers that Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, has been elected Mayor of New York City! That's just a tease for the next storyline.

Mildly recommended--the good art and action make up for the implausibility.