Daredevil #7 Review

Written by: Chip Zdarsky
Art by: Rafael De Latorre, Marco Checchetto, Elisabetta D’Amico
Colors by: Matthew Wilson
Letters by: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover art by: Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: January 11, 2023

Daredevil #7 finds Daredevil taking his new batch of reformed criminals on a field trip to see how well they perform breaking the law in service of helping people.

Is It Good?

Daredevil #7 is a serviceable entry in the series, delving into aspects of breaking the law for the greater good and pontificating on the failures of the prison system. Filled with social debates and a little action, Zdarsky is delivering his best impression of the seminal Green Lantern/Green Arrow run by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams. While this issue doesn’t quite measure up to GL/GA, Zdarsky gets his point across clearly.

When we last left Daredevil, he felt the uncertainty of his mission to bring criminals onto his island for a better shot at reform. Matt believes his efforts are bearing fruit, and he decides to take the group back to the mainland to tackle a gentrification project threatening to evict low-income families.

Zdarsky’s message about greedy corporations valuing profit over people hits with all the subtlety of a brick to the face. Presented in this way, the corporate (and police) side of the argument is so one-dimensional, it makes the conversation about “who’s right and who’s wrong” a foregone conclusion. Technically, Zdarsky makes his point, but without showing multiple (and valid) perspectives, there’s nothing here to spark further conversation or generate self-reflection.

With restrained punching, a contrived rescue involving explosives (no demo crew would ever wire a building with people still inside), and a last-minute cease & desist order, Daredevil and his rookies save the day in time to learn Punisher is coming with the Hand.

If it wasn’t clear by now, this issue is a mixed bag of stellar art, good pacing, good dialog weighed down by heavy-handed messaging that comes off as tone-deaf.

The other down point is this issue’s placement in the arc. Zdarsky’s built up the anticipation for a brewing war between the Hand and the Fist, and this issue puts the brakes on that momentum, only reminding readers about the Hand on the last page or so. In context, that loss of momentum makes this issue feel like a time-waster.

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:

In all, Daredevil #7 has a few bright spots and gorgeous art, but the story takes a breather from the looming war with the Hand to deliver a one-dimensional social message about the evils of corporations, the damage of gentrification, and the flaws of the prison system. There’s nothing wrong with social messaging, but when it’s delivered so flatly, the issue reads more like a lecture than a thought-provoking idea.