Matt Murdock. Frank Castle. Both are known to fight crime when the system fails. One crosses a line. The other walks it very closely. This has led to a history of violence and justice. Pending on where you stand, they are the other side of each’s soul.
Their latest confrontation pits them on opposing sides. Castle has taken out the Gnucci crime family. This has caused a power vacuum of crime in Hell’s Kitchen. Upstarts are moving in on the vacancy. Someone has to try restoring some type of peace in the city. Which vigilante will it be?
DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER: THE DEVIL’S TRIGGER #1 by Jimmy Palmiotti, Tommaso Bianchi, Bryan Valenza, & Joe Sabino carves another chapter in this long standing rivalry.
Let’s take a closer look at what prevails now.
DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER: THE DEVIL’S TRIGGER #1 by Jimmy Palmiotti, Tommaso Bianchi, Bryan Valenza, & Joe Sabino (Marvel Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Palmiotti throws a few different looks at the readers concerning these two leads. Murdock comes across as a person wanting justice hand in hand with the law. It is wishful thinking as Castle works in the shadows. The contrast in styles is what makes this story. At times, Castle is portrayed as a villain. Whether that is true remains to be seen.
Once the two leads collide, the story finds its legs. There is plenty of action between these two. Also in play is the philosophical front Castle pushes. Readers watch as he tempts a devil in crossing a line. The result leads into a catalyst of more changes. Murdock is tested as now he is cemented in the swirling frenzy of organized crime. How does he proceed form here?
The notion closes the chapter on solid ground with much more to unpack. Where the ultimate endgame resides is a whole other topic. For now, there’s much promise to be had with this story.
Bianchi and Valenza waste no time in bringing the grit to the pages. Daredevil hanging upside own to open is a bold visual. It leads into more familiar visions as Murdock practices law. The tension is very palpable. Readers know stakes are high with the latest client. Even with a brief costumed consultation, the mood never changes gears. It only amplifies.
Murdock’s fight against Castle is textbook by design. A full page image comes crashing into view. Castle’s expression never switches. It is ice cold in each view. This moves into an extremely intense choice. The result is a brutal truth which moves events to closing. Readers are left with a superb closing page that teases this fight is far from over.
FINAL GRADE: 8.8
The latest match-up between two of Marvel’s most iconic vigilantes doesn’t miss the mark. Palmiotti turns up the tension with the writing. Bianchi and Valenza present a brutally dark look at the world of street level heroics. The struggles for finding justice blazes into a new path.
Let me know your thoughts on DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER: THE DEVIL’S TRIGGER #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!