I didn't really like the first issue of this new series of Daredevil, it had a couple of cool ideas, like the way it depicted the possessed Elektra, but for the most part it just didn't really click with me, and I found myself bored throughout waiting for it to come to a close. But I'm glad I didn't decide to drop it after one issue, as this time it was the exact opposite, and all of the stuff I like about Daredevil was found here.
The previous issue ended with a group of police officers knocking on the door of Matt's church. After a brief contemplation over whether or not to head down in costume and beat them up, he decides to at least see what they want. It turns out an online tabloid has been spreading weird rumours about the church, claiming that Matt is taking in troubled youth and training them to be a violent criminal gang.
Whilst this is certainly something that Matt could do, and a writer could easily turn the series into him training up a group of crime fighting youth, it's not what's going on here, and Matt refutes the claims. I love that he also just doesn't cooperate with the cops, not letting them in to search the place without the warrant. Some of his kids also have bad history with the cops, and straight up yell at them that they're pigs; which was delightful to see. Comics need more anti-cop messages.
After getting rid of the cops Matt puts on his costume and heads out into the city, where he fights a new, highly funded gang called The Heat, showing the world that Daredevil is back. the action is well written, and you can tell that despite being out of the action for a while Matt is really enjoying being a vigilante again.
This issue marries the action of Matt being Daredevil with the personal drama that he has going on at the church. Matt is having to juggle returning to crime fighting with helping his kids, giving them advice, and dealing with the new rumours about the church that could harm those living there. He's still trying to find a balance, and the book makes a point of how he's not really able to do that straight away, with Matt ending up too tired to even hear one of the kids coming up to him until they're right beside him. It seems likely that Matt juggling these aspects of his life if going to be a big focus of the series, and if so I'm looking forward to seeing how that works out.
The issue ends with a reveal of the person who started the rumours about the church, and it's a very interesting revelation. It certainly promises interesting things to come, and more drama as it's someone close to Matt who should know better. It certainly raises a lot of questions, and makes me even more interested to see the next issue.
Aaron Kuder and Jesus Aburtov provide the art and colours for the issue, and it's really nice looking. Whilst the previous issue's writing didn't excite me much, the art was never an issue for me, and I enjoyed a lot off what the two of them did. This issue is much the same, and whilst there's not anything as interesting as the possessed Elektra this time round it's a very solid, well crafted issue with strong art. The action scene is good, and Matt is really dynamic and graceful in his combat, and there are some really nice interpersonal moments too. Overall, it's a good looking book, and the art really suits the tone of the story.
After a shaky stat Daredevil seems to be finding its feet and has become an engaging and entertaining series. It's got a few stories going on, and whilst the super heroic action is a lot of fun, it's the personal stories and characters that really makes this an issue worth reading.
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