REVIEW: ‘Daredevil and Echo,’ Issue #3

Daredevil and Echo #3 is published by Marvel, written by Taboo and B. Earl, art and colors by Phil Noto, and letters by Clayton Cowles. Daredevil and Echo have reinforcements in the form of Ghost Rider as they return to face Demagoblin again. 

This issue instantly ramps the pacing and the weirdness of the series up after how heavy the exposition had to be in the previous issue. This is the case in both time periods. In the past, the ramifications of rituals are made clear, whilst in the present the heroes are trying to prevent one from starting. The endgame has been made clear. And in doing so, the connection between the points in time is as connected as they’ve ever been. The plot in the past has felt somewhat lacking in excitement, but moving closer to the action increases that. Because in the present, the story is excellent. It has the creepy kids and the demon and The Spirit of Vengeance. Having Ghost Rider on the side of Matt and Maya now evens up the odds and gives them a way to actually fight back. They are still out of their depth, and struggle when the magic gets involved, but they are extremely adaptable. The action is back to its best, with so many aspects and figures getting involved. The last part of the comic was unexpected, ending on a beautiful bit of symmetry with the past.

The dialogue is a brilliant blend of humor, prophecy and drama, split between the points in time. In 1835, the ritual is powering everything else that is happening in the book, so there is not much room for jokes. But the introduction of what was trying to be summoned after all this time certainly enhances the dialogue. It’s gorgeously sinister and poetically evil, really bringing an ancient being to life. Tommy Murdock, Matt’s ancestor, is showing that Murdock spirit and rage. But it’s fascinating to see how he is having a crisis of religion in the same way his descendant does. That its largely influenced by being stabbed by his priest, leading to one of the most brutal moments of the whole comic. 

With Daredevil, Echo and now Ghost Rider, you have a terrific trio of personalities. Ghost Rider’s arrogance and just general noise offset the chemistry Maya and Matt had, and at parts, the issue seems to have them move around the Rider. The narration from Daredevil is gorgeously written, and I’ve always adored how Daredevil treats other members of the superhero community. That’s a common occurrence in his own book, and it shows incredible attention to detail from Taboo and Earl to recognise that attitude and replicate it. 

The art is magnificent as Noto gets to flex his muscles. The locations themselves may still be a bit dull, but that can not be leveled at what is happening within them. Huge tentacles have invaded the church in 1835 as something emerges. The violence is visceral and ferocious, just as shocking as everything else that is being unleashed. But the present day is the most chaotic part of the whole series so far. There is so much going on at the same time, with an awful lot of variables in one place, but Noto is able to take that and choreograph an amazing battle. The fight is occurring on two levels. On the ground, Daredevil and Echo are trying to stop the ritual, with the creepy kids working against them. But up and around them are Ghost Rider and Demagoblin. Both of their designs are phenomenal, actually balancing each other out with the fire and vehicles they ride into battle on. 

The colors have had something added within Daredevil and Echo #3. The reds and browns have been getting tiresome, so this very light blue is given to the spell that is being cast in both settings. That blue is cool enough to worm its way through the panel and draw our attention, though strangely the color represents something bad coming through, The lettering isn’t quite standard for a Daredevil comic, with some custom word balloons given to the magical creatures. 

Daredevil and Echo #3 welcomes back the weirdness. It’s just the refresh the miniseries needed, offsetting the exposition of the last issue with action and craziness. The inclusion of Ghost Rider provides the comic with madness and heavy metal, practically forcing it to move quicker. But we are also reminded that this started as an unnerving horror comic, with moments that refer back to the terror of the first issue. Whilst much of that primal fear has been lost in the chaos, it leads to some of the most memorable sequences of the series so far.

Daredevil and Echo #3 is available where comics are sold.