For those of you reading Daredevil, I don't have to tell you how fantastic it is. It features the exciting adventures of Daredevil as he battles super-villains, terrorist organizations, and the occasional lion. It's probably my fave book at Marvel right now, and it deserves every bit of praise that its received so far. Issue 7 is essentially a one and done holiday issue, so can Daredevil avoid all the cliches and pitfalls that come with doing a holiday
special?
If you look at most other superhero holiday issues you'll see that most are pretty bland. Yeah, yeah J. Jonah Jameson is Scrooge, how original. But Daredevil manages to bypass all the classic and predictable holiday tropes. The issue is about Matt Murdock taking a group of blind kids on a field trip, but something goes horribly awry on the bus ride. Matt is then faced with the difficult task of having to survive in the freezing cold with a group of blind children. Granted, its not really a straight forward holiday issue, but it's still a "winter" issue...
I really like the entire concept of this issue, it seems like a real situation. The bus wasn't sabotaged by super-villains, the kids aren't super-powered; the bus just crashed and Matt has to deal with the repercussions of that without using super acrobatics or throwing around a magic billy club(P.S. I know the club isn't really magic, but it sure as hell seems like it is in a lot of issues). That's not to say that I don't enjoy it when Matt has to use his billy club or battle a room full of ninjas, but this comic was a welcome change of pace from most other comics that are on the shelves.
The kids themselves seem very real as well; they're just scared little kids who don't know what to do, but are still capable of extreme courage when needed. The story is actually a really touching and dramatic one, and you're there every step of the way rooting for Matt and his group of underdogs.
There is also a single page featuring a really interesting conversation between Matt and Foggy. Every DD fan knows that Matt is generally a pretty somber guy. His cheerful side hasn't been seen in years until now, and this page makes it clear that the somber Matt is still there, right beneath the surface. Foggy seems to think that Matt is putting on an act with his current, playful self and comments on missing the "old Matt." Matt bitterly responds "I hate that guy." Its a great moment, especially for those of us who remember what Matt Murdock used to be like before Shadowland.
Of course, there is still plenty room for humor in this issue, like always. We get the great Christmas party scene with Matt sporting his "I'm not Daredevil" sweater and, of course, getting his flirt on. Its a great lighthearted moment, and I love Matt's sweater. A lot. There's also a moment I found particularly funny wherein Matt disses Spider-man after one child wishes Spider-man was there to save them.
I haven't commented on the art, but I don't think I really need to. Paolo Rivera is producing some great stuff here, no doubt about it.
My only complaint is that I don't really get what's going on in the last page, but I assume it will be picked up in the next issue.
Overall, Daredevil #7 is a great read; lighthearted yet heart wrenching, and you'd be remiss not to pick it up this holiday season.
9.5/10