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Reviews

Critiques on Infinite Earths by Donald MacPherson (donmacp@brunnet.net)

Daredevil #12

"Gun Play"
Writers: Joe Quesada & Jimmy Palmiotti
Artist: Rob Haynes
Colors: David Self
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Nanci Dakesian

Price: $2.99 US/$4.50 Cdn

Highly Recommended (10/10)

Quesada and Palmiotti, in a story that cleverly bridges the gap between two issues written by David Mack (#11 and the forthcoming #13), use a lot of flowery narration. For a silent issue (no dialogue, follow?), it's quite wordy.

And it works. Incredibly well. Bravo. Quesada and Palmiotti have proven themselves to be Renaissance men in the comic-book industry, producing wonderful stories and art and managing a line of comics that has brought older readers back to Marvel in droves. [And on that note, it's a shame Palmiotti recently had to resign from the Marvel Knights line... a major loss for Marvel.]

As Daredevil and Echo fight along the rooftops of Hell's Kitchen in New York City, their battle brushes up against the lives of a few residents of the neighborhood. In the span of a few seconds, lives are irrevocably changed. It's ironic, given that Daredevil's life appears as though it is about to come to an end.

Though the prose is a bit on the purple side, it suits the tone of the story perfectly. Actually, I should say it suits the tone of the stories. In a couple of pages, Quesada and Palmiotti tell us of the lives of ordinary, believable people. For the most part, they're good people who have been hurt by life. There is definitely a sense of God's hand reaching down and guiding them through the DD/Echo battle.

Haynes's art is breathaking. His stuff looks like a cross between that of Barry Windsor-Smith (CONAN, RNUE, OPUS) and Warren Pleece (TRUE FAITH, MOBFIRE, DEADENDERS). What's most impressive is how each panel seems like a painting. Some of the credit, of course, should go to colorist Self (interesting name), whose dark palette sets the tone of the story just as well as the narration.

Though the prose is a bit on the purple side, it suits the tone of the story perfectly. Actually, I should say it suits the tone of the stories. In a couple of pages, Quesada and Palmiotti tell us of the lives of ordinary, believable people. For the most part, they're good people who have been hurt by life. There is definitely a sense of God's hand reaching down and guiding them through the DD/Echo battle.

Haynes's art is breathaking. His stuff looks like a cross between that of Barry Windsor-Smith (CONAN, RNUE, OPUS) and Warren Pleece (TRUE FAITH, MOBFIRE, DEADENDERS). What's most impressive is how each panel seems like a painting. Some of the credit, of course, should go to colorist Self (interesting name), whose dark palette sets the tone of the story just as well as the narration.


Daredevil (and other related characters appearing) and the distinctive likenesses are Trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. and are used WITHOUT permission.
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