Daredevil #21: Always Wear Your Mask

I’ve been a big fan and cheerleader of Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil run, and this issue doesn’t change that at all, but it does make me wonder if every writer of this title has to agree to tell a “Daredevil’s Secret Identity Exposed!” storyline before they sign a contract. Granted, this one is very different from the ones that have come before, but when you boil it down, that’s basically what it is. Now, keep in mind that this is the Chip Zdarsky version, so it makes it the same story, just 100 times more entertaining. Zdarsky plays right off the end of the last issue and gives us a nice clean-up from the “War of Hell’s Kitchen” that took place over the last couple of issues. Loose ends are tied up, some storylines are laid to rest and some more are started. The word that first comes to mind when thinking about this comic is: powerful. There are many moments in this issue that are quiet, yet they pack a huge wallop. Honestly, some of them made me do a double-take. Even though some of the story points have been done before, Zdarsky puts a unique spin on each and every one of them. Zdarsky’s writing hits a whole new level in this issue, and 99% of that is because he gives us a Stryper shout-out.

Marco Checchetto is a brilliant artist and this issue, it really shows. All the little, but powerful moments this issue wouldn’t have been the same without him. They would’ve been a lot less impactful and shocking if Checchetto’s art hadn’t been there. This man, more than any other artist I can think of today, can draw mood with such effect that when he draws a chilly fall afternoon scene, I put a coat on. We also have colorist Mattia Iaocono to thank for that. All around, the look of this book is phenomenal.