5 out of 5

Wee, let the crossovers and Marvel numbering insanity begin!  (The ‘point’ issues seemed to kick off a trend of ‘dot something’ numbering, which makes it ridiculous keeping track of what new #0 or #1 books are supposed to be… reboots?  Continuations?  New universe?  Meh.)

…But these are acceptable crossovers, because Waid’s involved the whole way, they’re actually important to the storyline, and it makes sense to have it be in the other star’s book since – in this case – a Spider-Man / Black Cat focus gives us a good lead-in to the tale before DD takes over.  These issues – collected in the second trade volume – have the boon of all centering around The Omega Drive build-up, Waid skillful enough to even make the point issue the new-reader friendly entry it was meant to be while also wrapping it in some ongoing narrative details so its not a waste for monthly buyers.

Collection two kicks off with one of the greatest done-in-one tales I’ve read in a bit (when Waid nails these he really nails them), undoubtedly helped by the return of Mr. Rivera on pencils, woot woot.  Matty is escorting a group of blind kids to some kind of winter retreat when things go awry and their ride crashes them somewhere in upstate wilderness, freezing weather, snow causing havoc on Matt’s radar… and Waid guides us believably from panic to salvation, the strength of the children just as important as Matt’s leadership, and both capable of panic and mistakes along the way.  Then our detour into Spider-Man territory, part one drawn by Emma Rios (matching for the more quirky teen feel of Spider-Man), part two in DD by Kano (madly improved since his days in Gotham Central – maintaining the sketchiness in the inks but drawing with a much more confident hand, giving our three leads a lot of grace across the panels), giving us the double-cross details that will help Matt eliminate one factor from the Omega Drive problem.  Issues 9 and 10, again by Rivera, are works of art – covers and interiors and writing, Foggy dragging Matt away from conspiracy business to look into some subterranean tunnels that have been popping up under graveyards.  Daredevil investigates and finds the Moleman – as well as some hefty emotional realizations regarding his father that, bless Waid’s little comic-lovin’ heart, will be relevant as elements continue to build on each other throughout this run.

10.1 is drawn by Khoi Pham, giving us an overview of Matt’s powers as he interviews a potential client who, days before, had attacked Matt… It’s a clever sidestep, as mentioned, and though Pham isn’t quite on the same fluid levels as Rivera or Martin, Waid gives him some more direct action to draw and he does it well.

An incredibly solid bundle of issues, making room for sub-plots but never far from our main tale, Waid even remembering to bring in the law practice on occasion to keep us grounded.  The narrative style, which was a little punchily derivative at moments in the previous volume, is much more balanced here, since we have more story to sift through.