Spider-Man/Daredevil Team-Up

Spider-Man and Daredevil: Devil and the Details

By Mark Waid, Emma Rios and Kano
The superhero team-up is something that you either love or hate. Often used to boost the sales of a monthly series, guest appearances are usually obligatorily involving Wolverine. In this case, Daredevil and Spider-Man team up in order to clear the Black Cat’s name. The fact that the Black Cat is a celebrated thief doesn’t make her case look any better, but Peter Parker is convinced that she is innocent.

Just getting over a nasty break up, Peter Parker is down on his luck, so it should come as no surprise that he comes into contact with Felicia Hardy (AKA The Black Cat). Ordinarily the pair have a smoldering intensity, but Spider-Man is giving off ‘break up vibes,’ which turn her off. When she returns to her penthouse apartment, she finds a spider-tracer pinned to her costume just before the police bust her.

Spidey suspicious to learn that Hardy is blamed for the theft of new phone technology developed at Parker’s new employer, Horizon Labs. He seeks out Daredevil who is still attempting to live down his secret ID expose. Unfortunately, Parker’s luck holds up and he nearly outs Matt Murdock in front of the DA. Nevertheless, DD agrees to help out and the rooftop running and swinging begins.

Emma Rio's spine-tingling artwork

Emma Rios (artist of Strange, Osborn, and Cloak and Dagger) brings her A-game to this comic. The figures of Daredevil and Spidey are incredibly fluid and possess a dynamic ability that fits their acrobatic skill perfectly. It has hints of Paul Pope in places, but it’s also entirely her own.

Waid’s script is loose and fun, with just enough intrigue to pull the reader along while allowing space for humor and action. Part of the appeal of Marvel Comics characters is their humanistic relationships. Everyone is annoyed by Spider-Man after spending just a few moments with him, and Daredevil is so hauntingly tragic that he gives other heroes the creeps. Pairing them up is somewhat therapeutic in a way. Aside from that, they play off of each other like a road movie with tights.

When Black Cat traps Spider-Man under a cave-in and electrocutes him, it starts to look like Spidey may have been mistaken by his assessment of her character. But then, looking at her low-cut, form-fitting costume who couldn’t give her the benefit of a doubt?

A great action shot from Kano

Convinced that Spidey framed her for the theft of the h-phone, Black Cat is out for blood. Of course, Daredevil can see a double trap a mile away and recognizes that they have both been set up. Daredevil is very suspicious of the criminal underworld after obtaining a Omega-drive using Fantastic Four unstable molecule technology for data storage. The drive contains data on Hydra, AIM and Black Spectre, all big players in the business of world domination. The theft of the h-phone could be related, causing him to play his cards very close to his chest.

The criminal plot is very convoluted with Black Cat far from innocent in the situation. She was implicated as a thief of the h-phone simply to draw her out and hire her services. Some people have weird ways of doing business.

Speaking of which… DD spends a lot of time flirting with Black Cat, finally locking lips and becomes happily snared in her curvaceous form. Normally I’d be suspicious of this kind of thing, but Murdock seems more than happy with the situation, even as Spider-Man catches a glimpse of them from afar, brewing with moody disdain. Poor guy.

Daredevil gets all the ladies, Spidey... just accept it

Dollars to donuts, Black Cat snared the Omega-drive from Matt’s apartment when he was ‘looking’ the other way… and serves him right. But damn if it wasn’t worth it.

Devil and the Details is obviously a lead-in to the upcoming Spider-Man/Punisher/Daredevil crossover so there’s plenty of dangling plot-threads that may leave casual readers scratching their heads. But for all that, it’s a lot of fun and heartily recommended, if only because it encourages others not reading Spider-Man and Daredevil to give both or either a shot.

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