Paul's review of Daredevil #107

[Dave Wallace]

I think this was a great review of the issue, and really touched on all of the points that are making Brubaker's run so enjoyable to read (I was going to say fun, but that doesn't seem quite right, somehow). This was another really good issue.

I agree that it's difficult to detect Rucka's influence here (although I'm not that familiar with his work), but maybe that does just go to show how well the two writers gel. And it's great to see Lark and Gaudiano get so much credit in the review for the strong storytelling, too - this is one of those books where I don't mind the slightly-longer-than-usual wait between issues, because I really couldn't imagine anybody else (bar parhaps Alex Maleev) pulling this kind of thing off nearly as well as they do.

I know that some people can find Daredevil a bit repetitive, but I think that Brubaker is doing a good job of gradually pushing the key elements of the book forwards - it was nice to see Dakota's hard reaction to Matt's self-centredness this issue, and it looks as though this arc might see him snap out of it, to an extent. I'm really interested by the premise of this story, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

[Ryan]

Since Bendis started his run, Daredevil has been one of the most consistent titles on the stands. Brubaker has been doing an excellent job as well, but I am curious as to why Rucka is involved. However, I was a huge fan of Gotham Central, so getting Bru, Rucka and Lark together again is a real treat. Whenever they worked together on Gotham Central, I always kind of felt like Rucka was handling more of the character work while Brubaker handled the plot since thats how the writers approached their solo arcs. That might be what is going on here but I don't think Brubaker needed the help.

Off the subject, does anyone know how long Brubaker is going to be on all of his titles? I've never heard how long he plans to spend on Daredevil, Captain America or Uncanny X-Men.

[Dave Wallace]

I've never read Gotham Central, but I've only heard good things. It's on my mental list.

And I'm sure I've heard that he has plans to stay on Daredevil and Captain America for another year or two at least (in the case of Cap, I think he's got plans that extend beyond to #50 and beyond). I'm not sure about his X-Men work, since I don't follow that.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Dave Wallace

I've never read Gotham Central, but I've only heard good things. It's on my mental list.

And I'm sure I've heard that he has plans to stay on Daredevil and Captain America for another year or two at least (in the case of Cap, I think he's got plans that extend beyond to #50 and beyond). I'm not sure about his X-Men work, since I don't follow that.

Gotham Central- Best thing DC's put out in the last five years.

Yeah, he'll be on Cap for at least another 2 years probably and maybe the same for Daredevil. I really like what he's doing on Uncanny and since he is basically doing a complete overhaul of the X-men, my bet is he'll probably be on that book for a while as well. In interviews, he really seems to enjoy working on these books, it doesn't seem like he's looking to change it up.

[Ryan]

Oh, and I think there are Gotham Central hardcovers coming soon.

[Dave Wallace]

Ah, I might check the first one of those out then.

[Paul Brian McCoy]

Originally Posted by Dave Wallace

I think this was a great review of the issue, and really touched on all of the points that are making Brubaker's run so enjoyable to read (I was going to say fun, but that doesn't seem quite right, somehow). This was another really good issue.

Thanks!

I like the groundwork being set up here and hope it plays out well. I've enjoyed Brubaker's run, but it hasn't really struck me as being as good as it could be.

Honestly, though, I don't know what I'm expecting. He does this book about as good as it can be done without completely redesigning the thing. I think most of my hesitations about this book have been more about the character than the creative team, the more that I think about it.

Originally Posted by Dave Wallace

I agree that it's difficult to detect Rucka's influence here (although I'm not that familiar with his work), but maybe that does just go to show how well the two writers gel. And it's great to see Lark and Gaudiano get so much credit in the review for the strong storytelling, too - this is one of those books where I don't mind the slightly-longer-than-usual wait between issues, because I really couldn't imagine anybody else (bar parhaps Alex Maleev) pulling this kind of thing off nearly as well as they do.

Yeah, I've tried to talk a little more about the art in my reviews this week to see how that goes. I don't really feel qualified to write about it, so I end up saying the same things in different combinations - especially about the color artists.

I loved the page with Dakota meeting up with Luke in the parking garage. That was just a very well designed and executed page.

Originally Posted by Dave Wallace

I know that some people can find Daredevil a bit repetitive, but I think that Brubaker is doing a good job of gradually pushing the key elements of the book forwards - it was nice to see Dakota's hard reaction to Matt's self-centredness this issue, and it looks as though this arc might see him snap out of it, to an extent. I'm really interested by the premise of this story, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

It's a very interesting set-up that should be a good, solid story.

[Paul Brian McCoy]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Since Bendis started his run, Daredevil has been one of the most consistent titles on the stands. Brubaker has been doing an excellent job as well, but I am curious as to why Rucka is involved. However, I was a huge fan of Gotham Central, so getting Bru, Rucka and Lark together again is a real treat. Whenever they worked together on Gotham Central, I always kind of felt like Rucka was handling more of the character work while Brubaker handled the plot since thats how the writers approached their solo arcs. That might be what is going on here but I don't think Brubaker needed the help.

Interesting.

Originally Posted by Ryan

Off the subject, does anyone know how long Brubaker is going to be on all of his titles? I've never heard how long he plans to spend on Daredevil, Captain America or Uncanny X-Men.

I'm pretty sure he's committed to Cap at least to 50 and probably beyond. With DD, Rucka said in an interview that Brubaker had another couple of years worth of issues planned out.

I don't know about Uncanny, but with Fraction coming on at 500, it should lighten the workload enough to keep him around or maybe let him branch out to something new if he gets the urge.

He's writing so many books, though, I can't imagine when he sleeps. And the quality is fairly high on all of them!

[Dave Wallace]

Originally Posted by Paul Brian McCoy

Yeah, I've tried to talk a little more about the art in my reviews this week to see how that goes. I don't really feel qualified to write about it, so I end up saying the same things in different combinations - especially about the color artists.

I sometimes feel the same - it's sometimes difficult to find the right language to describe the art, and it's difficult to find new ways of saying similar things. But I enjoyed the art-based sections of all of your reviews this week - they didn't seem samey to me at all - and I definitely think that it's an area that we could all focus on a little more in our reviews.

[Dave Wallace]

Originally Posted by Paul Brian McCoy

He's writing so many books, though, I can't imagine when he sleeps. And the quality is fairly high on all of them!

This is what impresses me most about Brubaker: he's so consistent. I don't think I've ever read a bad Brubaker issue (the worst was probably the first issue of Young Avengers Presents, and even that was as much down to it feeling like an editorially-mandated and forced story rather than one that he really wanted to tell).