The Good
One of Marvel's most impressive books has to be DAREDEVIL by Mark Waid. The way the series has been written it feels like Waid understands and cares about Murock's character. He has this fantastic understanding of his personality. He writes him effortlessly, which is why I think I had such high expectations for DAREDEVIL #10.1.
As a "point-one" issue, DAREDEVIL 10.1 does a solid job introducing the character to new readers and bringing them into the fold of the current ongoing story-line. What are Daredevil's current conflicts? What is he trying to come to terms with? Waid does everything he is supposed to as far as making the issue "new reader friendly." He holds your hand and walks you through the book, introducing you to Matt, giving a brief synopsis of the most current trials Matt has undergone, making a mention of Matt's adversaries and so forth. In that sense, it's great. The story is clear cut, easy to read and not too complex. The writer gives an overview of who and what Matt is dealing with in a way that is easy for any reader to comprehend. Khoi Pham takes on the art in this issue and does a solid job on the book. His art is very clear and easy to understand, but I would have liked to see him get a little bit more creative.
The Bad
So what was the problem? As a point issue, this was good; but if you've been reading the current DAREDEVIL series then chances are you'll be disappointed in what you'll read here. Unfortunately, this is just not a very interesting story. This is most definitely written as an introductory issue, but it feels a little bit lazy. The organizations Matt is up against are supposed to be menacing, but they read as awkward and campy; relatively nonthreatening. The whole scene with Matt vs. the group of villains where he asks them to whip out their smartphones was a little bit cheesy and boring. This isn't a bad issue; but it's not the greatest, either. Unlike the rest of the books in this series which will keep you at the edge of your seat, this one won't leave you very impressed.
The Verdict
The characterization of Matt Murdock is the same in that it is consistent with what we've seen in Waid's previous issues of Daredevil. However, although the character is consistent, the quality o the story is not. Could it be that because I have been following the series so closely that I felt this issue just wasn't the best? Maybe. Then again, I don't believe this issue was written for readers who have already been reading DAREDEVIL; I really think it was meant as a jumping on point for new readers. While it is new reader friendly, I don't know that if I were to pick this up and read it for the first time, if this issue would get me hooked on the current ongoing DAREDEVIL series. Waid is actually really good about making each issue of DAREDEVIL accessible, so this DAREDEVIL 10.1 doesn't really feel necessary. Rather than picking this one up, I recommend picking up any issue of DAREDEVIL and just diving right in.