Comic Review: Daredevil #607

Daredevil #607

Marvel Comics

Writer: Charles Soule

Artist: Phil Noto

Like Daredevil, I didn’t see Mike Murdoch entering the story in the last issue. I thought we’d be well on our way to seeing Kingpin booted out as mayor. Instead, we’re getting a story about Matt Murdoch and his fake twin Mike Murdoch. Although this Daredevil isn’t as campy as it’s silver age counterpart.

Continuing from before, Daredevil is face-to-face with Mike Murdoch. Seemingly completely real, he even helps out Daredevil fighting villains in a bar. Calling in some favors, Daredevil learns why and how Mike Murdoch is real. Before anyone can act, Mike takes his chance and escapes.

I like what’s going on here a lot more than I thought I would. Mike Murdoch is maybe the silliest thing Daredevil has ever done, and they acknowledge that. Making him real, especially now when he’s trying to take down Kingpin, is funny to me. Their interaction in the bar is great. Some villains walk in on them, and even though they’re there just to get beat up they’re funny. Charles Soule hasn’t had a bad issue of Daredevil that I can remember, and this continues that trend.

This issue of Daredevil feels a little more lighthearted than the rest of the series. This one is more like “oh, look at this crazy thing happening, let me just fix that real quick.” And that’s when Mike Murdoch holds a dog hostage. It’s a total shift of tones. I’m not saying it’s a complete comedy slapstick, but dogs and people being held at gunpoint really deflates the balloon.

I think I like Phil Noto’s art here more than in the last issue. It just jumped at me a little more in this one I think. There’s a spread at the beginning that I really like the layout of. The colors work well with the art, especially in the few panels showing Daredevil’s radar sense. The minor complaint I had about the last issue was the faces of some characters, and that’s still the case here, but not as much. The bartender and the Trapster have faces that look a little too photo-realistic compared to other characters. Otherwise though, I do enjoy the art in this.

To make a blanket statement, this is a good issue. I wasn’t expecting to learn why Mike Murdoch was suddenly real so soon, but I think it’ll make the rest of this story more interesting. The art is good, the story and the dialogue are great. I don’t have any actual complaints about this issue. I’m looking forward to seeing how this whole Mike Murdoch situation plays out.