Two-For-One: A Review of Daredevil #11 and #12

written by Mark Waid
drawn by Chris Samnee

My favorite creative team working in comics today does it again.

After tangling with a more "classic" villain in the last story arc, Daredevil finds himself dealing with a somewhat different threat in this two-issue story: a motorcycle-riding showboat named Stuntmaster. The problem arises when the original Stuntmaster, George Smith, approaches Matt Murdock and asks him to sue the man currently wearing the costume, who has the backing of a wealthy pharmaceutical company. The problem is that George has no cause of action, given that he sold the rights to the Stuntmaster character several years before. Matt has no choice but to tell George the truth, until he hears that George has killed himself. Matt, as Daredevil, then decides to take the fight to Stuntmaster, who has called him out to perform a very dangerous stunt on the Golden Gate bridge. Things, however, are not quite what they seem...

These two issues weren't quite the home-run for me that the Purple Man storyline was, but they still hit the spot. The first issue is mainly spent setting up the big confrontation for the second, but the payoff is pretty handsome as we get to see Daredevil engaging in quite a few feats of derring-do, like jumping off a bridge and even driving a convertible with his billy clubs while standing up.  I think it was Chris Samnee who made a cameo as the driver of the Dodge Charger convertible that DD commandeers.

The story also feels like a bit of filler, given that Waid's already set up a pretty big storyline involving longtime DD villain the Owl, but it's a welcome break from what, if the promotional materials are any indication, looks to be yet another major shakeup for the character. Something to cleanse the palate, so to speak.

I confess, I'm a little worried about this whole impending "Marvel reboot" business because of the implications it might have for this title. Still, Waid and Samnee have had a good, long run on this book even prior to the renumbering, so if they decide to move on, I'm grateful for the exceptional stories they've given for the last three years.

I look forward with bated breath to DD's climactic confrontation with the now supercharged Owl!


8.1/10