Shadowland #1
Reviewed by David O' Leary
SHADOWLAND #1
Cover Date: September 2010
Story by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Billy Tan & Batt
Colours by: Christian Strain
Letters by: Joe Caramanga
Cover by: John Cassaday
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Reviewed By: David O' Leary
Book Summery: Matt Murdock Dared Evil...and Lost! The battle for the soul of a hero begins! Pushed beyond his limits, Daredevil faces off for a final time against his deadliest foe--Bullseye-- in their most brutal battle ever with more than just Hell's Kitchen is at stake. Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Punisher and more join forces to stop a war that is breaking out throughout New York, with Daredevil at the center. This event will change the streets of New York City—and the heroes that protect it—forever. Plus, a jaw-dropping final page that will have everyone talking for years to come!
I have been reading Daredevil in trades since about the end of David Mack's few issues about ten years ago. I really loved the believable real world atmosphere that the book held for many years through Bendis and Brubaker but I hadn't gotten to read Andy Diggle's run in any great detail.
From this issues story it is apparent that Diggle was influenced by Frank Miller's run of the 80's as he manages to meld both the modern interpretation and Miller's vision of a vicious ninja foe to give a great start to the story.
It is my hope that the main story will be contained to these five issues without having to diverge into the plethora of titles that were listed at the back to get the full story. Was I mistaking in thinking that Marvel had no big cross over planned this year? This I think certainly flies in the face of this.
It can be very easy to bogged down in the quagmire of the history of the Hand. The handy back story guide at the start pointed at the long history the Hand has in the Marvel U. but invariably of those stories that I have read they can be construed as being many different variations of the same organisation. Each writer had put his vision of the Hand on the page and over the years, who they were became a befuddled mess. But Diggle gives them clarity under the leadership of Matt Murdock who I don't think has ever being written as bad ass as this before.
There are several points in the book that I either was smiling at what was going on or roaring at the page in disgust. Let me explain. When Bullseye was flown back to the Raft and he mentioned about the return of the Sentry, I about ripped the page from the book. Luckily for the future value of the book I didn't as it was an escape ploy written with a deft touch. The idea that Bullseye can control all the muscles of his body including his heart as part of his escape was cool.
The scene where we see Iron Man, Cap and Thor telling Cage and Iron Fist that it would be unwise for Matt to step out of line much further was also a extremely cool moment only enhanced by Tan's line work.
But the money shot and spoiler alert here folks, where Matt skews Bullseye al a Elektra was a bit ho hum. On the flip side the two shots of Matt dislocating his shoulder callously was an amazing visual moment.
Billy Tan's style is uniquely suited to a darkened book like this. His Iron Man looks daunting, his Matt looks menacing but there is no escaping the fact that his current fashion duds are a just a tad too much like his dark duds from around issue 350 - 380 (or mid nineties madness as it is called) or so. I love his precise line work and have long admired him as an artist and think it was a bit of a coup to have him here
This was a very strong issue. I probably would have liked it a bit more had I being up to date with the issues but take nothing away from Diggle who has crafted a story that someone like me can come in cold and come out saying - oh hell that was cool.
Rating the Issue
| Story Story: Overall 9 Concept - 9 out of 10 Plot - 9 out of 10 Dialogue - 9 out of 10 |
Art |
Importance |
Take A Look Inside (and Outside)
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Reviewer Bio
David has been with CR since June 2008 and started out as a reviewer and has expanded to do a couple of columns for the site also; starting with 28 Words Later with artist Declan Shalvey and later 5 Minutes With... where he talks with the industries best and brightest from Kubert to Moore.
blog comments powered by Disqus