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A review by clarks_dad
Daredevil, Vol. 2: Parts of a Hole by David W. Mack
4.0
As many others have noted, this is a dramatic improvement over Kevin Smith's work in volume one. Mack opts for the pathos approach over an unnecessarily convoluted plot that relies on trickery and revelatory climaxes (that disappoint in the depths to which they are cliche) to produce an emotionally appealing and satisfying Daredevil story.
"Parts of a Hole" is aptly titled as the volume spends most of its pages sounding the depths of Murdoch's sense of loss. In the wake of the death of another love interest, Murdoch is once again set adrift. Mack does a great job treading a fine line discussing depression and the psychologically devastating effects of abandonment without straying into melodrama either in plotting or dialogue. There are no "Woe is me" moments, and the emotional appeal is subtle, almost refined. The entire arc is satisfyingly symmetric. Filling the void in Daredevil's life is Echo, a deaf woman who is both his physical opposite and equal - a point Mack maybe drives too hard with his Newton analogies.
In short, the arc was thoughtfully constructed, compelling told and brilliantly (except for a single issue in the collection) illustrated. The side-focus on the Kingpin's backstory was especially helpful for a Marvel newbie like me and really helped in providing context for the world of Hell's Kitchen moving forward.
"Parts of a Hole" is aptly titled as the volume spends most of its pages sounding the depths of Murdoch's sense of loss. In the wake of the death of another love interest, Murdoch is once again set adrift. Mack does a great job treading a fine line discussing depression and the psychologically devastating effects of abandonment without straying into melodrama either in plotting or dialogue. There are no "Woe is me" moments, and the emotional appeal is subtle, almost refined. The entire arc is satisfyingly symmetric. Filling the void in Daredevil's life is Echo, a deaf woman who is both his physical opposite and equal - a point Mack maybe drives too hard with his Newton analogies.
In short, the arc was thoughtfully constructed, compelling told and brilliantly (except for a single issue in the collection) illustrated. The side-focus on the Kingpin's backstory was especially helpful for a Marvel newbie like me and really helped in providing context for the world of Hell's Kitchen moving forward.