DAREDEVIL #14

Latveria is a very pleasant land. I do not know why England had it banned! Was it because of Doctor Doom? Or maybe it had something to do with that balloon? Which dipped into London by the Strand. These guys know what I am talking about. Writer: Mark Waid; Artist: Chris Samnee; and Publisher: Marvel Comics in May 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Now if you have ever plunged down a water-slide blindfolded whilst bad-guys shot at you mercilessly, you'd have a fairly good idea what it's like for Matt the blind wonder in issue called - 'Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't'.

You see, as soon Daredevil wakes up in a confined cell somewhere in Latveria, he is shocked to hear Doctor Doom's financial minister, Beltane, explains to him why he's been captured, who gasses him, and then lets him escape when the moment presents itself.
Strange that, huh?
Not as strange as what Foggy Nelson is contemplating back home in New York City mind you.
Strangle like the gaseous form of bug that in presently penetrating Daredevil's being the more he tries to escape from this very rustic European location.

To be continued just as soon as our blind hero misses the train to freedom. CHOO-CHOO!

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I did enjoy reading Matt's inner monologue when he first realized where he really was. Particularly...

'I was teleported here from the Avengers mansion at around nine in the morning. The cuckoo is seven hours ahead... which, since the feel of humidity in the air is constant with summer, not winter... puts me not in Africa, but Europe. Trace scents, Rosa Canina and Globe Daisies. A whiff of Hungaricus. All native to Romanian... area... Oh, dear God'.

Reads like something Sherlock Holmes might say, doesn't it.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

The tone to the first half of this issue was a right blast. It felt like some sort of a sixties movie where the villain had caught the hero, and then starts to set about committing his dastardly plan.

Please note, I enjoyed the tone and the execution - the concept behind it was nothing new.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

I suppose the only slight drawback about this yarn, was that by in large it was mostly a pursuit type tale, with not that much action or scope to it.

Not a large drawback. A nano-drawback.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Now from a creative stand-point, the only thing that I did find innovative within this issue; was the degenerative condition Daredevil was bestowed with due to his earlier gas inhalation. I liked the way that it progressed in incremental stages, as well as how it left this tale hanging in the air - so to speak.

ART: I was really surprised to see Chris Samnee's name in the credit after reading this book, because I found his work a marked improvement on what he previously produced in 'Wolverine'. It felt more dynamic somehow, and more clean and atmospheric too. Very nice.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

BELANE: OK, so what actor can play a sinister accountant and get away with it Scott Free? Oh! I know! Jonathan Pryce from too many films to mention.

ANGRY GREENGROCER: When I caught a glimpse of the bemused octogenarian waving his fist at our blind hero, I thought to myself - 'Pa Walton' - also known as actor, Ralph Waite.

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

You Can Run, But You Can't Hide From A Flesh Eating Bug Penetrating Your Brain. Medi-Care Cares.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why?

Now how can I not define this sassy comic book adventure story with the Pat Benatar swinging symphony 'You Better Run'? I would be mad not to, huh?

FINAL thoughts...

OK, I have to admit, that compared to last issue and its ilk, this issue did take a bit of a dip in the story stakes. Granted, not a huge dip. More like a slight crevice. Nonetheless, this particular episode did not have that Mark Waid synergy which I have grown very fond of over the last year or so.

Maybe he's having a break from being so fab this month, huh?

Still, I'm not worried. I am sure that next month Mark and whatever artist is on this book can deliver no problem. Agreed?

MARKS out of 10? 8