Written by Chip Zdarsky.
Art by Marco Checchetto; Rafael De Latorre; Alex Maleev; Paul Azaceta; Phil Noto; Chris Samnee; Klaus Janson; Mike Hawthorne; John Romita Jr.; Scott Hanna; Matthew Wilson; & VC’s Clayton Cowles.
“The Hand” Written by Ann Nocenti, with Art by Chip Zdarsky & VC’s Clayton Cowles.
“Mini-Marvels” Writer/Artist/Letterer: Chris Giarrusso.
Cover Art by Marco Checchetto & Matthew Wilson.
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics in early 2023, this 144-page trade paperback reprints 2022’s Daredevil # 1-5. Previously, the world’s knowledge of now ex-convict Matt Murdock’s secret identity has been magically erased.
Maintaining her intimate partnership with Matt, Elektra Natchios continues to operate as a masked Daredevil. After the murder of Matt’s ‘twin brother,’ Mike, and Wilson “Kingpin” Fisk’s murky departure, an undercover Matt and Spider-Man retaliate by leaving Fisk’s latest heir a grim warning to behave himself.
Before joining Elektra overseas to set up The Fist’s secret base, Matt has an ominous encounter with his former law school classmate and now assistant New York district attorney: Robert “Goldy” Goldman. Deluding himself as an archangel of God, Goldman demonstrates explosive powers of mass destruction, which he claims has ‘helped’ spurn Matt into becoming the best possible hero for several years now. Among the possible casualties of Goldman’s latest terrorist act is Matt’s beloved ex-girlfriend, Kirsten McDuffie.
Matt also discovers that Mayor Luke Cage is considering city business with the nefarious Stromwyn family. Luke subsequently confirms Matt’s dire warning about the billionaire Stromwyns’ true nature. Matt himself is ambushed by Aka, most likely The Hand’s deadliest operative. Collecting his best friend first, Matt abandons his prior life in New York City to commit himself as the co-leader of the underground Fist group.
On a remote island between Russia and Japan, Elektra, Stick, & Matt train their Fist ninja recruits, including Foggy Nelson and NYPD police detective Cole North. A mutated Dr. Leonard “Doc” Samson, whose nickname is now ‘Doc Sasquatch,’ also accompanies them. Committed through an ancient ceremony as the Fist’s ‘King’ and ‘Queen,’ Matt & Elektra are married.
In therapy sessions with “Doc” Samson, a zealot-like Matt increasingly expresses the intent of his Fist to conquer The Hand cult making the world a better place. Before their group can decisively confront The Hand, Elektra & Matt command a shocking raid on The Myrmidon – a prison for super-villains in an undisclosed ocean. Its troubleshooter, John Walker’s U.S. Agent, and his armored troops prove no match for an intense Matt.
Reviewing security camera footage, this brazen jailbreak for fifteen notorious super-villains leaves The Avengers no choice. The two fugitive Daredevils are now on the team’s ‘Most Wanted’ list.
Note: This title is also available digitally.
REVIEW:
Relaunching its Daredevil title yet again, Marvel Comics has opted for a huge tonal shift in Matt Murdock’s long-time wars against criminals like The Kingpin, Bullseye, and others familiar foes he shares with Spider-Man.
Deviating far from Daredevil’s street-level defense of the innocents residing in Hell’s Kitchen, Chip Zdarsky’s “Red Fist” storyline is an acquired taste where one must suspend disbelief at the outset. Envisioning Matt & Elektra’s modern take on an ancient ninja cult challenging its evil counterpart – seemingly with the fate of the world at stake, Zdarsky is taking his time setting up Marvel’s equivalent of Batman’s perennial feud with Ra’s al Ghul’s sinister forces for a new phase.
With some caveats, the result is somehow a relatively good read. Among this plot’s most implausible elements, the quasi-religious “Goldy” Goldman sequences likely do the most harm to a convoluted storyline. Since Zdarsky’s scripting already pitches cult leader Matt Murdock/Daredevil out of character as is, adding an enigmatic supernatural adversary indulges the creative envelope too far.
Even so, the art squad’s terrific visuals are this compilation’s best asset, as far as making Zdarsky’s plot seem more engaging that it really is. Curiously, Elektra’s eyes are consistently depicted to resemble Matt’s, as if implying that she, too, is now blind (though it is clearly stated that she isn’t). If anything, perhaps it is a subtle artistic nod by the creative team indicating how devoted Elektra and Matt’s union has become.
As appealing as the artwork is, “The Red Fist Saga” is likely best perused as a library option first. This high-concept story arc is not the gritty Daredevil most casual fans would expect, so a ‘test drive’ prior to purchase makes good sense.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In a full-page format, each Marco Checchetto/Matthew Wilson cover precedes its story. Entitled “The Hand,” a four-page back-up story depicts Daredevil’s interaction with a young Irish family reluctantly mixed up with Hell’s Kitchen mob. As fair warning, this tale’s poor taste is peculiar. Specficially, a gruesome revelation hidden in a cooler prompts an inappropriately lighthearted finish with a smiling Daredevil’s approval.
A single-page “Mini Marvels” comic strip subsequently parodies the two Daredevils by depicting Bullseye ineptly ‘horning’ in on Daredevil & Elektra’s partnership. As compared to the prior bonus feature, this spoofy “Mini Marvels” is at least mildly amusing.
Consisting of quarter-sized displays and full-page images, a six-page variant cover gallery consists of: Issue # 1 (seven variants alone): 1. (artist: Jorge Fornes – full-page); 2. (artist: Peach Momoko – quarter-sized); 3. (artist: David Nakayama -quarter-sized); 4. (artist: Dan Panosian – quarter-sized); 5. (artists: John Romita Jr., John Romita Sr., & Richard Isanove – quarter-sized); 6. (artists: Ryan Stegman & Marte Gracia – full-page); and 7. (artist Joe Quesada – quarter-sized). For Issue # 2, there are two quarter-sized entries: one from artists Gary Frank & Brad Anderson, and the other from artist Pete Woods.
For Issue # 3, artists Alev Maleev and Paolo Siqueira & Rachelle Rosenberg each provide quarter-sized variants. Both Siquiera & Rosenberg and Checchetto & Menyz provide their own quarter-sized variants for Issue # 4. For Issue # 5, artists Scott Williams & Sebastian Chang provide a quarter-sized variant before Checchetto concludes with a full-page sketch and color design variant.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
