Let's be clear; I love Darkdevil. From Reilly Tyne's complicated origin story too his snarky attitude, I dig this character. He doesn't feel like any other I've come across, equal parts legacy character (though who's legacy is debatable), protective older brother type and grim and gritty avenger of the innocent. I was intrigued by Darkdevil from the first time I 'met' him in Spider-Girl # 17 (yes, I'm aware he shows up from #2 onwards but I didn't read those issues until later). The enigmatic stranger who knows Peter is Spider-man, knows about Kaine and dresses like Matt Murdock's alter-ego, Daredevil.
But it was the Darkdevil mini series that really piqued my interest in young Mr Tyne. I've heard many criticisms of the series, but I honestly reveled in every panel of ever page of those three issues. It was one of my first comics I owned with glossy magazine style printed pages, which made it stand out to me instantly on the newsagent shelf. Besides, hadn't I seen this character in Spider-girl before? Didn't I want to find out why he looked like Daredevil? And what's this? It's only a mini series? That will be easy to collect, and hey, if I don't like it, no big loss, right?
Only, I enjoyed the mini series. Great opening issue, complete with a great set up involving the release of hardened criminal Kaine. Great villain for our hero to attempt to find and defeat. And most importantly, a great origin story. Complicated? Yes. Satisfying? Yes. The series ends on one of my favourite pages ever, with Tyne returning to his hideout, beaten and bruised, concluding 'The time has come for him to return to his loft, and get a good night's sleep...Reilly Tyne has to report to work tomorrow.' Beautiful!
Aside from all the great writing, great art and great character stuff, did I mention he turns into a literal devil?
