By Ed Brubaker and Ande Parks (Writers), Chris Samnee (Pencils and Inks), and Matt Hollingsworth (Colors)
If you were hoping for Daredevil #107 this month, prepare to wait another 30 grueling days. It’s been replaced by this fill-in issue, which is a bit out of current continuity, but serves as a follow-up to last year’s Daredevil annual featuring the Black Tarantula. This one-shot focuses very tightly on the Tarantula as he struggles with his life as an immigrant and a vigilante.
Daredevil plays a minor role in this book, acting as the Tarantula’s conscience and backup for when things get nasty. As crime on the street begins to pick up once more, the Black Tarantula takes it upon himself to make brutal examples of criminals – stringing them up with chains, stealing their money, and using it bribe cops into looking the other way. Aside from giving the money to cops and charity, it’s subtlety hinted that he uses the drug money to pay for his bills too.
There’s definitely a fine line this character walks, and if we were given more of his situation, I might be more empathetic to his cause. But from the little that Ed Brubaker and Ande Parks gave me on the Tarantula’s background it was hard for me to care about this character at all. Yes, the bad guys he eventually confronts are pretty cruel, but this story felt soulless to me. There’s a reason why the Black Tarantula’s a B-List character and the creative team here hasn’t done enough to elevate his status. All this issue did was make me miss Daredevil. And seeing old horn head in just a supporting role was a bit disappointing. They should have just called this The Black Tarantula – Guest Starring Daredevil! At least I’d know what to expect.
I honestly can’t recommend this book. Ed Brubaker’s an excellent writer, Samnee’s art is fine, and the muted/washed out colors of this book are very reminiscent of the Criminal 2 series, but this book ultimately lacks heart. And without a heart, there’s no life. And that’s what this book was to me: Lifeless. (Grade: D)
– J. Montes
A Second Opinion
This issue is pretty much the sequel to last year’s Daredevil Annual, and therefore a must if you read it. In the annual, Black Tarantula decides to become a vigilante to protect the streets, similar to Daredevil, but he is also ready to kill if necessary. He’s essentially a cross between Daredevil and Punisher and this issue shows him attempting to do what is right before his past comes back to haunt him. When this happens it becomes a fight not only for his life, but for his forgotten, deserted family, and for the safety of the streets of New York. Obviously, since this is a Daredevil title, Black Tarantula goes to Matt Murdock for help.
This issue was a great crime fighting, butt kicking, violence-filled spectacle, and Chris Samnee’s art is perfect in conveying the action. To anyone who was disappointed with the last issue of Daredevil, whether because of the lack of action, or the horrible art, this issue should appease your appetite. Matt Hollingsworth’s colors also maintain the muted tone that has been present in the last several issues of Daredevil, so this feels completely within the core Daredevil storyline. I’m surprised this issue isn’t simply numbered Daredevil #107. (Grade: A-)
-M. Staples