Daredevil #3 (2022) Review

Written by: Chip Zdarsky
Art by: Rafael De Latorre
Colors by: Matthew Wilson
Letters by: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover art by: Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: September 14, 2022

Daredevil #3 finds Matt Murdock on a recruitment drive for the best people he knows to join him in his crusade as the new leader of the Fist before he leaves NYC. Some will agree, others will not, and before the night is over, Matt will learn there are forces greater than he bent on ruling the world.

Is It Good?

Daredevil #3 (2022) is an odd comic. bIt takes all the weird, wild things that happened in the first two issues with Goldy presenting himself as a “Guardian Angel” secretly guiding every event in Matt’s life for years and suddenly stops to go do other things.

You mean a strangely powerful person who has secretly manipulated every event in Matt’s life for years to make him a “better Daredevil.”

Readers: “What are you going to do about that, Matt Murdock?”

Daredevil: “Psshhh. Whatever. I’m on a recruitment drive.”

Right off, the shift in direction for the arc is jarring. In its place, Matt tries to recruit honest cops and Mayor Luke Cage to his cause, has a very early meeting with the Stomwyns that ends poorly, and Matt learns about two key characters taking an active role in the Hand’s business. In other words, the issue is almost all setup and foreshadowing for the B Plot. Everything related to Goldy is on the back burner (for now).

Are the setup and foreshadowing at least interesting? Largely, yes.

Readers are reminded of just how dangerous the Stromwyns can be. The Stromwyns are reminded of just how dangerous Mayor Luke Cage can be. Matt is reminded how dangerous the Hand can be, courtesy of his first introduction to longtime Elektra adversary, Aka. And Matt is informed just how dangerous the Hand will be under their new manager, Frank Castle.

De Latorre’s art is gritty, dramatic, and effective. If readers were concerned about the handoff from Checchetto to De Latorre, those concerns are unwarranted. The issue flows effortlessly, the action hits powerfully, and the quiet moments register dramatically.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts:

Daredevil #3 (2022) takes the off path of ignoring the big surprise threat(?) to focus on the B plot of Matt’s ascension to the Hand’s new leader. The shift in the arc’s direction is jarring, and most of this issue focuses on setup and foreshadowing, but the stellar art and engaging writing hold your interest.