Spider-Man/Daredevil: Unusual Suspects #3

Background

Paul Jenkins is now well in control of Peter Parker: Spider-Man (Vol. 2), and he has joined forces with Phil Winslade for this little four-part mini-series, featuring Spider-Man and Daredevil.

Spidey and DD have shared many an adventure, but this is the first time that a title has bourne both their names. Two classic New York super-heroes in a stand-alone adventure, written by a proven talent. How could this go wrong?

Story 'Bad Boys Don't Cry'

DD is knocked down for the count, and Peter has to play for time. Heh, check this out:

Spider-Man: You killed him! You finally did it... you killed my Brother!

Well... I guess that's one way of buying time. Spidey gets the bad guys to talk, and explain how they broke out of prison. Meanwhile, DD comes to, and they procede to kick some villainous butt. Umm, fighting... (flick, flick), more fighting. Sub-plot (more on that later). Fighting... and Kingpin turns up with his men. Kingpin tells his men to 'kill them all', and tells Daredevil that since he'll probably survive, to be in his office at 9am sharp!

Meanwhile, Natasha and Foggy are off on some legalistic mission, checking out something at the Kingpin's off-site accountant. Foggy is doing the legal stuff, while the Widow does some snooping.

Meanwhile, DD has finally figured out that in fact, Copperhead is behind the whole thing - not the Owl. The Owl, in fact, is basically nutso. The other interesting thing of note is that Copperhead reveals that he is actually dead. Huh?

General Comments

The art is faultless. The whole story reeks of care and effort. The pace is steady, without being rushed. It avoids the errors of many recent plots, which leave their denoument far too late. No, Jenkins gives himself just enough time to wrap the whole thing up tidily. This is masterful stuff.

Overall Rating

One issue to go, but this is five webs all the way!