Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: D.G. Chichester
Penciler: Netho Diaz
Inker: J.P. Mayer
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Release Date: 24th January 2024

Wasting very little time in setting up this mini-series’ central cast “in the battle for their lives beneath the streets of Hell’s Kitchen”, the sheer pace of D.G. Chichester’s twenty-page plot for issue three of Daredevil: Black Armor is positively palpable. Indeed, by the time Matt Murdock – or rather Jack Batlin – has thrown no more than half a dozen punches against a formidable array of the Marvel Universe’s most prestigious villains, the majority of this book’s bibliophiles will surely be physically gasping for breath; “Stay down, you fool!”

Happily however, Chichester doesn’t simply pad this publication out with meaningless fist-fights, but instead intermingles some genuinely emotional moments within the adrenalin-stacked morass of bone-breaking, jaw-cracking mash-ups. Foremost of these is probably the less than favourable fate of brave Juan and poor Randi at the horrendous hands of Tekagi. Readers will doubtless be traumatized by the well-meaning pair’s apparently fatal fortune, and this apparent willingness to cull prominent personalities by Ann Nocenti’s successor helps dangle the Sword of Damocles over everyone else’s head too.

Just as convincing is Chichester’s ability to make his audience believe, albeit momentarily, that a group of hapless captives possibly might overcome Baron Wolfgang von Strucker’s squad of cold-hearted killers. Nobly led by Daredevil and ‘coached from the corner’ by Doctor Calvin Zabo, the New Yorkers enthrallingly manage to use every trick in the book to ‘eek out’ a slim chance for survival. Albeit ultimately, the group are understandably overwhelmed by the likes of Batroc the Leaper, Tarantula and Lady Deathstrike.

Of course, another of this comic’s triumphs has to sit upon the shoulders of Netho Diaz, whose layouts provide a visual feast for the eyes – whether the illustrator is pencilling the Man without Fear fending off the deadly blows from the leader of Hydra, or simply energising his fellow captives into a final show of solidarity against their murderous opponents in the ring. Furthermore, the artist includes some nice nods to the titular character’s history, such as Murdock unknowingly donning the (reversed) yellow and red colour-scheme of his original costume, or Matt’s late father shadowing his son whenever he adopts his old man’s boxing stance.

The writer of this piece was: Simon Moore
Simon Tweets from @Blaxkleric ‏
You can read more of his reviews at The Brown Bag