The Good
From the very beginning of the sixth issue of Daredevil we find out pretty early on that the people who came after Matt and his client Austin Cao weren't after just the both of them. In fact, the primary target was Daredevil. The question remains, who hired these guys to take them out, and why?
Mark Waid does it again with the help of artist Marcos Martin and colorist Muntsa Vicente. The story opens underwater, which is an interesting and relatively unconventional choice, but Waid ties it into the opening of the story very smoothly. I loved the panels where Daredevil appears in the background and the characters in the foreground don't even notice that he is there. It's a perfect way to demonstrate to the reader the range of the character's skills. Daredevil is stealthy; he moves in silence.
Waid also sets up Bruiser as a really strong character who has been gradually "climbing the ladder" to fight the HULK. Now, who can really take on the HULK and win? The subtle mention of these characteristics and by making these points through the dialogue, Waid is setting up Bruiser's overall strengths and motivations in an interesting way. When the fight actually goes down, the reader already has an idea of what Bruiser's strengths are. The writer also doesn't make things very easy for DD. Bruiser seems to have developed a list that comprises of various superheroes who he plans to beat in order to make his way up the ladder.
If you have been waiting for a Daredevil issue that is action packed, then look no further. This issue os full of a non-stop action at every turn.
The Bad
The continuity between books (i.e. where one book ends and the next one begins) has been a little bit off. The story doesn't immediately pick up where the last leaves off, for example, making it a little bit hard to follow. While Waid does give the reader an introduction to Bruiser's character, his appearance still feels slightly erratic. He sort of comes out of nowhere.
The Verdict
I can't praise Marcos Martin's incredible pencils enough. His skills as an illustrator are astounding. He is able to capture the movement of Daredevil in a way many cannot, and he is a perfect addition to this particular series. His work paired with Muntsa Vicente's colors are incredibly striking and what we get is another beautiful issue of DAREDEVIL. Mark Waid is writing a really fun book -- bottom line. While I do feel that there are some inconsistencies, this continues to be one of the most interesting and entertaining books coming out of Marvel right now.