Everyone Has an Off-Day: A Review of Daredevil #3

(writer) Mark Waid
(artist) Chris Samnee
(colorist) Javier Rodriguez

Since I started reading the work of the creative team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee on Marvel's Daredevil title I have had nothing but praise for them. All things must come to an end, though, I suppose, and to my mind their pitch perfect run, with colorist Javier Rodriguez, has, for me, hit its first speed bump.

After last issue's cliffhanger in which Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Daredevil is about to face off with vigilante-apparently-turned-aspiring-crimelord Max Coleride, a.k.a. the Shroud, Matt (predictably) triumphs, they resolve their difference and in short order are off to double team the rising new crime lord in San Francisco, Matt's old enemy the Owl. What Matt doesn't know, however, is that apparently the Owl, according to the research of his new "sidekick" and law partner Kirsten MacDuffie, is quite a bit more formidable than he used to be, something Daredevil is about to find out the hard way.

It's hard to discuss the problems I had with the issue without spoiling plot points, but suffice it to say the errors in judgment that Matt makes in this issue are really rather unbelievable for someone as smart as he is. Sure, Matt is only human, and this was emphasized in the storylines involving both Bullseye and the Serpent Society in the previous incarnation of this series. He makes mistakes and often has his back against the wall, but the one thing he isn't is reckless, but considering that he has teamed up with a guy he barely knows to take on one of his oldest enemies, that is practically the only way to describe him in this issue. I suppose it's part of Waid's grand plan for the next issue, but to my mind, he has committed the cardinal sin of moving the story forward by having the lead character do something unnecessarily (and in this case uncharacteristically) stupid.

Samnee and Rodriguez do not disappoint, though, and it's a treat to see their take on the Owl. Waid's script said he's supposed to look more bestial, but I suppose they're saving his "altered" appearance for a big throwdown next issue.

I suppose Waid's a victim of his own success here; after over three years of turning in some of the best stories that have ever featured this character he was bound to slip up at some point. This certainly hasn't turned me off to the book in general, but it is quite the disappointment. I'm confident Waid will get his stride back next issue.

6.5/10