Review: Daredevil #503

Daredevil #503
by Andy Diggle, Roberto De La Torre and Marco Checchetto

Daredevil has become quite a strange book over the years. Never a happy book in the first place, it's become an increasing downer as Kevin Smith, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker and now Andy Diggle throw constant horribleness at him. Which does not make it a bad book, just not a happy book. I think that's one reason I don't always stick with Daredevil, while it's good there are never any happy points for the character.

At the end of Daredevil #500 we find Matt Murdock as the leader of the Hand, the group of ninjas that has caused him so much trouble over the years. Now he attempts to use them for good, taking on Norman Osborn as well as corrupt New York City cops.

This issue finds DD using the Hand to take down corrupt cops. Shockingly, Daredevil has fully embraced the killing aspect of these ninjas. Just how far can Daredevil sink before he becomes what he fights against? How long can he go on before the taint of the Hand ruins him? Has he already gone too far? These are the questions Master Izo throws at Matt, but how much is Izo manipulating Matt as well?

At the same time, Kingpin and Lady Bullseye set their own schemes in motion. Daredevil screwed over Kingpin at the end of #500; it was Kingpin who wanted to take over the Hand.

So far it's an intriguing concept that I didn't think would work when I first heard of. I'll definitely be keeping this book on my reading list.