More of a 4.5 out of 5, but I’m also leaving the 5/5 rate in here since, well, this is the final part of the acclaimed Frank Miller run of Daredevil’s regular series. The guy came to change the game, as seen in the issues collected in the previous book, and here, things mostly wrap for the conclusion not of the character’s story, but as a final statement of its author’s contribution to his mythology, legacy, and depiction, all of this after issue #168.
Starting right away with the cliffhanger event that Miller teased in issue #182 with the escape of Punisher from prison, here Frank goes on a rampage against a gang of drug dealers, which connects to Matt’s investigation of a kid killed because of the use of a brand-new drug in the streets that forces you to see your greatest fears. So, eventually Punisher and Daredevil will meet- and clash-, for the very first time in comic book history, forging one of the greatest, most iconic duos in the industry. Also, Matt is struggling with Elektra’s murder, obsessed with the idea of her possible revival, which will eventually be a threat caused by “The Hand”, who are back looking for revenge against Daredevil, Stick, and his warriors. Also, Kingpin is at the top of his game as the official crime boss of the city but confronted by the need for a new lead assassin, which will result in a hilarious mini story in which Foggy Nelson is believed to be a top-notch hitman. All that while Matt is suffering a breakdown in which his heightened senses are fading away possibly due to another exposure to the same radioactive isotope that enhanced them back in his childhood, which collides with his fiancé, Heather, who is dealing with a corporative dilemma that might ruin her.
While not as intense, memorable or constantly dynamic as the previous “Visionaries” book, Miller’s final 9 issues in his run contain as much substance, and great “Daredevil” moments as one could expect. The stakes were raised, and the final two issues- which have the highly anticipated resurrection of Elektra, and one intense, and thought-provoking final interaction with Bullseye, still at the hospital-, possess some of the best content ever put on a Daredevil comic book, specially issue #191, which presents one of Miller’s hardest, most critical commentaries towards the influence of super-heroes in the people who admires them. A straight up perfect send-off from Miller before his triumphant return to the franchise in “Born Again”.
This time, half the issues were now penciled, inked, and colored by Klaus Janson, who prior to this book he was only contributing as inker and colorist- sometimes- to the series. The final issues were illustrated by Miller, but “Roulette” exchanges Janson for Terry Austin in the inking department, and the “What If…” issues are also an addition by the classic team. Speaking of which, the “What If…” collected in this book are great alternatives version of “what if Elektra lived”, and “what if Daredevil was an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, not to forget the “Bizarre Adventure #28”, which depicts the very first solo “Elektra” adventure in a Marvel Comic, in beautiful black and white art, also by Miller.
While not as rich in content as the previous book, this still delivers the highlights of what the series can achieve. If I’m honest, my only struggle with Miller’s arc was the treatment of the relationship between Heather and Matt. The two are about to get married but that’s ditched thanks to the aid of Foggy and Natasha Romanoff, however, the character of Heather is so obnoxious and useless for the overall plot. It isn’t like dealing with love interests such as Elektra, Natasha, Karen Page, just to name a few; Heather is more like a spoiled child, average “trophy wife”, and all the times she appears in frame I cannot help but to think “oh Matt, you deserve way better”. I don’t know, it’s one of the least effective love-interests I’ve seen in comic books, and I’m glad Miller ended that relationship, even if it took him his entire arc to do so. Other than that, it is still a memorable run to conclude, this final book truly goes full circle with it, and the series is finally placed in an ideal spot for the next writer to move forward and complement the evolution of this hero. Thankfully, it won’t be the last time Miller returned to provide newer narrative expansions and contributions to this wonderful series.