With the 3rd issue of Daredevil gets his first – own – super villain, the Owl. The Owl is a man of great wealth and power but seeks more as the law uncovers his illegal activities he goes fully underground and develops a plan to lead him to running the underworld. Can daredevil put a stop to it? or will he end up being an unwilling part of it after being captured with Karen Page. Further more can he maintain a separation between Daredevil and Matt Murdock in Karen’s mind while helping her escape? these are all the drama points that the book asks, and then responds to for us as we read this story. but now for one of my own, is it well done, or does it resemble too many other similar stories? The response to that question as well as thoughts about much more follows in this comic book review.
Artwork
I love the artwork on this Daredevil book, Joe Orlando did a great job of recapturing and adding to the gritty feeling of daredevil #1 in this issue. he also had a great scene of panel timing as you read from one panel to the next, making it feel like a movie clip at times. from the Owl’s Aerie to the close up of daredevil’s face as he surrender’s the artwork and feeling of this issue was top-notch. the visual lines of shadows, the hard blacks all adding to the unique style.
Characters & Development
in this issue we have a little bit of development for Matt Murdock and his supporting cast, but much as other comics in the day it is occurring slowly. In this issue we can be reminded of Thor, as Daredevil enters the office window in much the same way – without anyone knowing in the other room -. But we also have the slightest hint of courtroom drama, a reminder again of his day job.
The owl, being a new character is developed a bit more in this issue, given his power of unknown origin, and a strong desire to be a criminal mastermind makes him not that much deeper than any other first time villain of the day.
Originality & Continuity
In fact, this story reminded me of several others in the marvel continuity up to that point alone, Including: Fantastic Four #23, Amazing Spider-Man #10 . The reasons for this very, but at the root it is the team makeup’s and over arching plans that I find similar. from a master mind, to the grunts, the dynamic feels the same. The Owl could have easily been the Enforcer. But while it lacks Originality in its overall plot it could still make up for with a good story.
Story
In fact the story; with the aid of the artwork was quite good, and more than made up for the fact the story felt like a rehash of any one of a number of comic books tales I already read. The owl is a good fit for daredevil and the added drama of saving Karen Page as he defeats the owl is the kind of dynamic that ever hero must face at least once or twice, (if not every few issues). But I would love to hear, what do you think of the Owl? tell me that and more down below.
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