This is a review of Daredevil Ultimate Collection Volume Two. Read my rambling review of the first volume, here and here. After being outed by an FBI agent in search of a payday, Matt Murdock’s (aka Daredevil) life lurches on. He beats up the Kingpin, declares himself the new kingpin of Hell’s Kitchen, and one year later finds him married (?!?!) and under surveillance by the FBI.
This volume contains four storylines. 1. The Owl sells MGH (Mutant Growth Hormone) using his own DNA. This is strange, since the Owl is not a mutant. 2. The Kingpin tries to reclaim his old territory, sending Typhoid Mary and Bullseye to distract Daredevil while he makes his move. 3. The Yazuka make a play for control of Hell’s Kitchen. 4. Black Widow’s ex – who is now a big muckety muck in Bulgaria – tries to get even. Maybe he doesn’t like paying alimony.
Give praise where praise is due. This graphic novel is extremely decompressed (twenty issues for four storylines), but it works because what we are reading is crime/noir, which Brian Bendis (the writer) cut his teeth writing. He’s great at it. Also: Alex Maleev’s gritty art is wonderful and fits the material to a tee. Artist and writer synchronize well together.
This graphic novel isn’t perfect. Certain plot elements are left unanswered (when did the Owl become a mutant?), glossed over (why didn’t the Kingpin have surgery to cure his blindness sooner?), or are just plain ridiculous (would you let a mentally ill mass murderer with pyrotechnic abilities out onto the streets, because she’s been cured through hypnosis?).
Yes, you say, but what about Daredevil getting married? Well, when Matt saves a blind woman (Milla Donovan) from an oncoming truck, she comes to his office the next day to thank him. Little Matt takes over, and it’s off to the races. Unfortunately, Milla is a penultimate damsel in distress who needs constant rescuing. At one point Matt finds her hiding in the closet. This is a tired old trope, which I am not defending, but here’s Mr. Bendis’ point (stated in the first volume): Whoever is around Matt Murdock is in danger, because his secret identity has been compromised. He knows this, but starts up a relationship with Milla anyway.
That doesn’t reflect well on Matt, especially since his track record with women is horrendous. A short summary: one of Murdock’s girlfriends commits suicide, perhaps partly because of his verbal abuse; two of his exes are stone cold killers (Black Widow & Elektra); and Bullseye kills two of his lovers (Karen Page & Elektra. Elektra got better, because reasons). Matt should know better, but he can’t help himself, especially when he’s the object of someone’s adoration.
Recommended!
Abandoned Places 