Daredevil, Back in Black Volume 1: Chinatown written by Charles Soule and illustrated by Ron Garney
Matt Murdock did some deal so no one remembers that he is Daredevil except for Foggy Nelson. Matt's returned from California and is fighting crime in Hell's Kitchen as Daredevil (in a black suit), so that's normal. In the unusual category: his outfit is black with red highlights, he is training an assistant named Blindspot (an illegal immigrant who wants to fight crime in his neighborhood--Chinatown), and Matt has taken a job in New York City's District Attorney office. New trouble has arisen in Chinatown. A preacher named TenFingers is gathering the illegal immigrants and promising them safety in his flock. TenFingers does indeed have ten fingers...on each hand! And he's trained some of his higher disciples to fight, so he is serious about protecting people. But he does also have a villainous agenda. Daredevil and Blindspot fight his gang at night while Matt prosecutes him by day. What could go wrong?
The story has a definite noir vibe. The art is often black and white or only a few colors with some stylized visuals, especially in the fight scenes. The tone works well for the story, which is more about the backstreets of New York and the smaller but just as important battle against evil that happens on the local stage, not the world stage. Daredevil has a lot of moral conflict--about having a sidekick/apprentice, about deceiving everyone, about living a double life that is so hard to manage. Blindspot makes an interesting parallel and contrast for Daredevil's life and problems. He's a new character (though there have been other characters named Blindspot in Marvel's history) and has enough distinctness that he's not just another version of a similar superhero.
The writing and art are very sharp and enjoyable, getting a good Daredevil story going. I hope it continues.
Recommended, highly for Daredevil fans.
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