DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER: THE DEVIL’S TRIGGER #4 – Sides Collide

Creative Team – Jimmy Palmiotti, Tommaso Bianchi, Gabriel Guzman, Bryan Valenza, VC’s Joe Sabino

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger #3!

The Story

This comic is reviewed by both Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast and Matt from the Hops “Geek” News podcast!

Matt – This run has been a non-stop cat-and-mouse game between Frank and Matt. So in this issue, Jimmy slows things up just a little bit for a moment. Some of the best moments in comics are when Matt and Frank simply talk about their ideals and how they deal with the crime problems. Jimmy once again delivers excellent exposition as the duo is having a drink at a table, and it may be one of the best sequences in this issue. The way Jimmy can take a suspenseful story and easily weave through action to engaging conversation is what makes this run continue to pull me in deeper.

Aside from the two now working together, Jimmy brings in Foggy as a type of guy in the chair. Which I always enjoy. Foggy, more often than not, is seen as angry at Matt in various ways or uninvolved, so Jimmy brings him in even for a couple of moments, which helps build out Matt’s relationships as well.

Megan – After the complete chaos happening in the city and between Daredevil and Punisher, Matt Murdock knows the only way to simmer things down is to join forces. With the goal of coming to a compromise, Matt asks Misty Knight to set up a meeting with Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher. With Frank on a rampage and not thinking before shooting, it was too close of a call when he almost took out an undercover FBI agent. The only way so this doesn’t happen again is if Matt and Frank work together. Matt knows this could go terribly with Frank playing by his own rules, but the stakes are too high not to try.

Jimmy Palmiotti has an unmatched way to changing tones in a story smoothly while still keeping you on the edge of your seat. There was a great build up of incoming excitement while Frank and Matt were sitting down to talk civilly. While the two powerhouses were coming to an understanding, a plan was put into action to take Frank’s life, a plan that neither character was aware of.

Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger #4 proves the multiple layers that comes with this story, layers that make each issue stand on its own in terms of quality and excitement.

The Art

Matt – I simply cannot get over how good the artwork has been for these issues. Issue 4 may not be full of fighting and guns blazing, but there is a satisfying fight sequence. The team delivers some extra gnarly action with Daredevil gouging an eye out with his club and Frank bringing his knife to a gun fight. It moves so swiftly across the panels and yet doesn’t sacrifice any detail in the agility of the two’s movements. Valenza has gone with the darker red suit, which to me stands out in the colors of the panels even more so. It adds the stark contrast to both Matt and Frank, cementing them as two individual entities of New York.

Megan – The artwork of Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger #4 is a perfect example of matching the tone of the story and elevating the story itself. There’s a good amount of action in the comic that the artists excellently captured the excitement of. The fight that involves both titled characters brought so much intensity to the pages, showing the violence in a close up manor.

Bryan Valenza is the colorist of the comic, and continues to capture the grittiness of the story. Sticking with the darker tones of the comics, Daredevil’s dark red suit acts as a focal point in many of the panels, making the blood of their enemies a focal point as well. Along with Valenza is Joe Sabino, who is the letterer of the comic. Sabino does a fantastic job at putting the different tones of the characters on display, whether it’s Daredevil’s even tone, or Frank’s harsh and dismissive voice.

Final Thoughts

Matt – 10/10. This is moving into buddy cop territory between Daredevil and Punisher, which I absolutely adore. This is a more narrative issue that allows Jimmy to slow things down a bit, also bringing depth and layers to these two characters. I cannot get enough of Matt and Frank working together despite being two opposing magnets of justice.

Megan – 10/10. This comic perfectly captures the qualities of the characters that make Daredevil and the Punisher who they are and why they’re constant fan favorites. Jimmy Palmiotti expertly shows the oil and water effect of the two characters that shouldn’t work together, but work oh so well. This should be on everyone’s pull list!

Overall Grade – 10/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Triggers #4!