Daredevil, Vol. 9: King of Hell's Kitchen

Daredevil (1998) (Collected Editions)

by Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev

The "Man Without Fear" becomes a man without peer as he assumes control over all of Hell's Kitchen After years of conflict, Daredevil has finally vanquished the Kingpin of Crime once and for all. With his greatest nemesis out of the picture. Daredevil names a brand-new Kingpin: himself What does DD have in store for his old neighborhood...and for anyone foolish enough to challenge his rule? Brought to you by comics' most praised creative team, Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. Collects DAREDEVIL #56-60

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Superheroes, Comic Book, Crime, Graphic Novels Comics

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2004

About the author

A comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim (including five Eisner Awards) and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For over eight years Bendis’s books have consistently sat in the top five best sellers on the nationwide comic and graphic novel sales charts.

Though he started as a writer and artist of independent noir fiction series, he shot to stardom as a writer of Marvel Comics' superhero books, particularly Ultimate Spider-Man.

Bendis first entered the comic world with the "Jinx" line of crime comics in 1995. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out. Bendis is writing the film version of Jinx for Universal Pictures with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron attached to star and produce.

Bendis’s other projects include the Harvey, Eisner, and Eagle Award-nominated Powers (with Michael Avon Oeming) originally from Image Comics, now published by Marvel's new creator-owned imprint Icon Comics, and the Hollywood tell-all Fortune and Glory from Oni Press, both of which received an "A" from Entertainment Weekly.

Bendis is one of the premiere architects of Marvel's "Ultimate" line: comics specifically created for the new generation of comic readers. He has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch, and has also written for Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, as well as every issue of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Origin and Ultimate Six.

Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s AVENGERS franchise by writing both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers along with the successful ‘event’ projects House Of M, Secret War, and this summer’s Secret Invasion.

He has also previously done work on Daredevil, Alias, and The Pulse.

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 4 out of 5]

A year has passed since Daredevil became the new Kingpin. Nelson and Murdock were awarded hundreds of millions of dollars after winning their libel case against The Daily Globe which Matt’s put to use rejuvenating Hell’s Kitchen at the same time his alter-ego’s been cleaning the place of criminals. He’s done so well in fact, the Democratic Party want him as their nominee for Mayor of NYC! But Matt’s life is never a bed of roses for long and the West Coast Yakuza (Japanese mob) are in town to challenge his rule…

Now THAT’S more like it, Mr Bendis! Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev’s Daredevil run is back on form with this excellent volume. It seems that Bendis is at the top of his game when he’s writing big picture, complex stories rather than smaller, simpler ones - focusing on Matt’s ambitiousness brings the best out of his writing and makes his storytelling that much more inventive.

There’s a lot to like about this one. Bendis wraps up old storylines like Federal Agent Driver’s and the newspaper libel case with finesse while setting up a couple of interesting new ones involving Milla and Matt’s recent behaviour. Milla gives a very heartfelt and powerful overview of Matt’s hard life, while Driver and the Yakuza leader have a very intense interrogation scene.

There’s also an epic, badass fight in the pouring rain as Matt takes on dozens of gun-toting Yakuza which features some of Alex Maleev’s most outstanding work! Bendis tops it off with an awesome superhero team-up between Daredevil, Spidey and the Heroes for Hire themselves, Luke Cage and Iron Fist.

It’d be a perfect read if not for the extended scene between Matt, Luke Cage, Reed Richards, Peter Parker and Doctor Strange. I read that scene twice and still didn’t really understand their beef with Matt. It doesn’t make sense - how dare he take such a pro-active and effective stance against crime?! - and the tension between them felt contrived.

Otherwise, Daredevil, Volume 9: The King of Hell’s Kitchen is one of Bendis and Maleev’s finest additions to the series and a helluva fun read - more like this, guys!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a year of comic book time since Hardcore, where after beating Wilson Fisk for the last time, Matt Murdock claims Hell's Kitchen as his own and for all intents and purposes becomes the new Kingpin. Matt turns his neighborhood around swiftly and hangs up the red suit, spending most of his time with his girlfriend Milla. The Yakuza finally make a move against Matt for control of the Kitchen; after a mass attack by dozens of them one rainy night, Matt disappears.

Everything about the personal moments between Matt and Ben Urich and Milla feels subtle and real, and the arguments Matt has with his fellow heroes are compelling and tense. On the other hand, when Matt is in the Daredevil suit, no holds are barred and he's just one man - one superpowered man with hypersenses and martial arts training - against the Yakuza. While brutal and gritty, I also don't think I've read dialogue from both Matt and Spider-Man that's been quite this funny. This volume feels slightly less epic than Hardcore, dealing mostly with the fallout from Matt's past and his new status quo, but the story and its revelations are still just as emotional and gripping as everything Bendis and Maleev have done to this point.

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically 1 year after the events of the last volume.

We do get filled in what happened. After Matt has claimed Hell's Kitchen as his own. That HE is now the kingpin of hell's kitchen and everyone better back the fuck off, other places in town are getting bad. His friends try to confront him, his other friends try to help him, his lover is scared for him, and Matt is a fucking mess.

And it's perfection. The anger, the loss, trying to pick up the pieces of his life. Matt is barely hanging on, and it makes for a extremely interesting read. A easy 5 out of 5.

[Gavin Abdollahi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daredevil Vol. 9: King of Hell's Kitchen is a big disappointment compared to Volumes 5 (I think?) to 8.
Heck, I even contemplated giving this a three star while reading it...

It's a direct follow up to Hardcore, so, if you wanna know what its about, read the run from the start since this has plenty of spoilers.

The art is the same as the other Bendis volumes, though, the actual writing... Isn't as fun as it used to be. It doesn't have the same dark, noir-ish tone as the other volumes that made this run so great.

I'll still be reading the follow up, and am hoping that it will be another five star read.

[Jaye Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great ofc. It was less epic but more personal and more about the fallout from the last volume. A year has past since Daredevil declared himself as Kingpin. He makes the neighborhood a better place and hangs up his suit, deciding to settle down with Milla. That is until the Yakuza come in force to fight for control.

The funniest part of this for me was Spider-man, Luke Cage, and Dr Strange calling him out for only taking care of Hell's Kitchen and how they take care of the rest of the city. 😭 Like that is so true and they need to say it!!

The art is such a mood but also it kinda annoyed me here, idk it fits the vibe but sometimes it is hard to see wtf is happening because it is so dark and sketchy. Then half the scenes happen at night in the rain and I'm like ???

Daredevil's fight with the Yakuza went hard as did the part where Ben Urich asked Matt if he was having a breakdown because of his grief for Karen. Like bro just get therapy instead of fighting 100 Yakuza and marrying some girl damn.

Sucks for Milla but I could fix him I know it. 💅

I'm not really mad about it but after he declared himself as kingpin I thought it was gonna go hard but then it doesn't? It just time jumps a year and gives a passing mention of how good he's done like no I wanted to see him full as kingpinning Hell's Kitchen??

[Matty Dub · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another strong showing. With a year passing since Bendis’ last issue and a lot getting resolved off page in that time, a new threat in the form of the Yakuza appears. Great action packed arc that ends with a shift in status quo for DD.

[Eve O. Spellman · Rating 3 out of 5]

- * = A couple in underclothes and a man only in a towel
- * = Cussing

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very strong arc of this run. I’m still not a fan of all of the time jumps, particularly the one year jump in this one, but it’s at least used rather effectively in this case.

[Ale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume was just as good as when I first read it over a decade ago. Good stuff.

[Ariana Deralte · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, the art in this issue was superb, with shadow being used excellently to portray the mood. After the last book, I expected us to get a blow by blow of Matt's reign as Kingpin, but the retrospective by Ben worked perfectly and I liked the idea that all this craziness was Matt having a nervous breakdown. The ending put Daredevil back in costume, but didn't take the easy way out and fix Matt's personal life as well. It takes a lot longer to work through such things. The depth in this run of Daredevil continues to impress me.

ps. They also win a few points for using proper Japanese on the cover and in the comic.

[MrColdStream · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. Another volume filled with endless dialogue and not very much else. The first two issues barely move the story forward and the major fight between DD and the Yakuza in the second issue is kind of ruined by Ben Urich's babbling and Maleev's confusiing art style. There's a lengthy and wholly confusing scene between Matt, Peter Parker, Luke Cage, Dr Strange and Reed Richard's as well. Once we get some explanations and revelations into why Matt has been acting the way he has the story turns a whole lot more interesting. The final issue is a wonderful ending to the story, featuring a great fight scene. Overall, a bit too slow and word-heavy volume for me.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bendis proves he can take risks with a fan favorite, and challenge the presumptive superhero cliches while still pleasing the fanboys. Allowing Murdock, as Daredevil, to be exposed by the media (in early editions) is one thing. To have him take out the Kingpin and decide he can run the town even better is brilliant, and something that should have happened a long time ago. Explore what it means to have a powerful hero take on the responsibility of ruling, rather than just beat up the badguys. Great stuff, all around.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume picks up after Matt Murdock has declared himself Kingpin of Hell's Kithen. Here the action is toned down and the focus is on character, and what makes Matt tick. Reporter Ben Ulrich tries to get answers to his many questions even tries to get Matt to question himself. Again, the combo of Bendis and Maleev have given us another winning, thought-provoking and adult-minded arc.

[Bassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is one of the weakest in the Bendis-Maleev run. The best part was how the relationship between Matt and Mills turned out, but the villains were forgettable. Seemed to me that Bendis wrote himself into a dead end, and needed this book to reset the story. Art in itself is great as always.

[Krzysztof Grabowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oddychaj, Krzysztofie. Oddychaj. Co to było...

To, że Bendis wpadł w rytm i jedzie być może dzieło swojego życia, wiedziałem już znacznie wcześniej i myślałem, iż lepiej od poprzedniego tomu już nie da. Da się. Te zeszyty jakie są przed Wam to idealne połączenie akcji z emocjami, dramatu z sensacją, gdzie w jedynym momencie wypada powiedzieć tylko: "Yeah".

Matt ogłosił się nowym Kingpinem, który będzie wyrzynał wszelkich przestępców i to połowicznie działa. Mniejsi gracze boją się wychylać głowy w Hell's Kitchen, ale co to znaczy dla innych dzielnic Nowego Jorku. Co będzie z Manhattanem, gdzie hasa przyjazny Pajęczak z sąsiedztwa. Mamy tu scenę rodem z Jak Poznałem Waszą Matkę, gdzie przyjaciele spotykają się z Mattem, aby go ustawić do pionu. Tyle, że wśród tych "przyjaciół" jest: Luke Cage, Spider-man, Dr. Strange czy Pan Fantastyczny. Tyle, że Daredevilowi nieco szajba dobija do głowy. A tam za rogiem czeka kubeł zimnej wody... Ponad setka żołnierzy Yakuzy pod wodzą niejakiego Samo Orii. Maleev, ty skurczybyku, ta dwustronna scena z czekającymi złoczyńcami w mroku, w siąpiącym deszczu naprzeciw samotnego adwokata...

Miód. Coś FENOMENALNEGO. Rysownik przechodzi siebie, zresztą nie tylko on. Może i mamy tutaj nieco mniej prywatnego życia Murdocka, ale za to akcja porównać można do letniego blockbustera. Świetnie się to ogląda, co nie znaczy że nie ma tu miejsca na personalne dramaty. Całe te wydarzenia będą miały odzwierciedlenie na jawny aspekt życia Matta. Jest tu kilka petard fabularnych, które trzeba zobaczyć.

W zasadzie błyszczą tutaj wszystkie postacie. Na uwagę zasługuje też team FBI Driver-Del Toro, którzy mają coś tutaj do powiedzenia i jeden zwrot w fabule sprawił, że siedziałem osłupiały. Bendis nie zwalnia, miesza i kręci, ale tak, że nie będziecie mieli dość. Ale to i tak nic przy rozmowie rozmowie rannego Matta z dziennikarzem i przyjacielem, Benem Urichem. Ta mina herosa, gdy pada pewne stwierdzenie. Palce lizać. I to nie jest jedyna scena, gdzie opada szczena.

Bo mamy tutaj pokorę i przyjaźń. Zrozumienie i realne wsparcie. Gdy w jednej scenie na bijatykę wpada Luke Cage, Spider-man, Iron Fist i Daredevil wiedzcie, że będzie rasowe roz... rozwałka. Maleev ma znakomitą rękę do obrazowania walk i tutaj pokazuje co potrafi. Czemu ten koniec jest taki gorzki? Musi być. Takie jest życie.

[Ben Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

The tragic yet triumphant conclusion to the Daredevil as King Pin story, which lasted for only this volume (then again, volume 8 wasn’t in the omnibus).

I am a huge sucker for bold writers who take a character in a new exciting direction, and Daredevil as the King Pin is a fascinating idea, built up over the course of so many issues, with the death of Karen Page, exposure of Matt’s secret identity, and being pushed to his limit by various villains. I like how they went about this, showing that’s Matts approach to being the King Pin has its ups and downs, as Hell’s Kitchen may be a paradise, but all the crime has just moved elsewhere, and Matt is too blinded by his psyche (and eyes) to see what he’s doing. The premise is downright brilliant, but I wish the execution was stronger, for example, the yakuza make an appearance and while they have a sick ass fight, they’re not very compelling villains, and hinging the basis of Matt’s whole character arc on these mid bad guys, weakens the finale, and makes it less cool. Also this needed to be longer in my opinion. What they do in the space given is impressively interesting, but at least a 2 parter would’ve been enough to explore this once in a lifetime opportunity for the character to it’s fullest potential. The various moments like the heroes coming together to defeat the yakuza, or Matt admitting he still hasn’t gotten over Karen, are great and well executed, but a longer build up with a more complex plot, could’ve skyrocketed the rating.

It is able to make time for beloved side characters like Milla, Foggy, and Ben, and they are still as compelling here as previously, they add scope to the story, and put into perspective everything that has happened over the past year and how it has deeply effected every aspect of Matt’s life, also the cameos from other superheroes were a nice touch too, and get a great fight as well. The art is really nice too, it emphasises every moment by adding the appropriate gravitas and edge to it.

The first omnibus had some wild highs and rare lows, this caps it off satisfyingly despite its shortcomings and continues to make this a truly iconic run for the character.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much I loved about this. Funnier than the past volumes, specifically with Peter Parker showing up, first as part of a group that tries to stage an intervention for Matt (and I loved Stephen Strange here, too) and then, later, when they come to fight with Matt (where Danny Ran also shines).

So, since the last volume, where Matt beat the ever loving crap out of Wilson Fisk and declared himself the new Kingpin, he essentially painted a large target on his back, and the back of his wife (yes, WIFE now) Milla. It takes roughly a year after the last volume, and starts with Urich explaining all that's happened to an unknown part, who turns out to be Milla herself, who's looking for Matt.

Urich's involvement is key as, since Wake Up, he's sort of become the little world weary angel on Matt's shoulder in Bendis' run. He's someone who sees Matt from the outside, unlike Luke or Foggy, and can see the immense self-destruction that Matt is stubbornly unaware of as he barrels onward.

He thinks Matt had a nervous breakdown after Karen's death. By the end of the volume, Matt thinks he might be right. As a reader, I can say that it would certainly explain the slight shift in his personality and morality.

I remember being more sympathetic to Milla. I mean, I'm not unsympathetic. It's a lot to take in. But she's so determined to find him, to tell him how much she loves him, but then she learns that he might have had/be in the middle of having a nervous breakdown and suddenly it's, this isn't what my vows were about! I mean, it's difficult, right? Dealing with the fact that your marriage might have been the product of your spouse's nervous breakdown. And maybe I'm now looking at it with 20/20 hindsight, knowing how grossly Milla will be mishandled in the future.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

If not for a personal pet-peeve, I would have easily rated this book 5 stars.
The Daredevil side of the story is really well done, the connection to the Bendis' backstory, ghosts from DD's past and the trauma of all that has happened, work up into a really nice conclusion that wreaks it's own havoc on Matt's life, but now that all the poison has been beaten out of him, maybe things can finally get better?
I think Matt's psychology is really well written and very believable in his human fragility.

The art has been good the entire Bendis run, but my god. Alex Maleev really went all out on this book. I especially loved a set of pages early on where DD fights a bunch of Yakuza in the rain. I could practically hear it falling.

My pet-peeve is that I have yet to find a mainstream comic that doesn't completely fail when it comes to representing Yakuza. Most of what is out there is either wrong, ignorant, or shameless orientalism. It wasn't so apparent in this book, but a couple of Bendis' lines still managed to cheese me off, mostly because a few minutes research would have made for a better, a more believable, and a less tacky writing atmosphere.

For those of you who aren't such delicate violets (or sakura as it were) as yours truly, you will absolutely love this book.
--
PS there is a very satisfying team up moment at the end of the book and
NERD ALERT: We Finally see DD throw and ricochet his stick for the first time in ages, which I had no idea how much I had been missing!

[David Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so when we last left our hero in volume 7 (volume 8 was all about Echo), Daredevil had savagely beaten Wilson Fisk and declared himself the Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen. Now we flash ahead one year later, and the Man Without Fear has completely cleaned up his neighborhood. There's little crime, and the citizens love him. He's married his girlfriend, Milla Donavan. Heck, he's even approached about running for Mayor!

However, not everything is rosy for the Man Without Fear. HIs friends in the superhero community think he's suffered a nervous breakdown, and decide to confront him in some sort of intervention. The FBI is hounding him once again. If that wasn't enough, the Yakuza step up to challenge his authority, and try to frame him. Never a dull moment for our favorite blind vigilante.

This collection fires on all cylinders. I just love the way Bendis tells a crime story. Alex Maleev's gritty style continues to serve this series well. My favorite part of this story has to be the rainy alleyway showdown between Matt Murdock and a dozen of yakuza thugs brandishing swords. Totally awesome! This is definitely one of the highlights of the Bendis/Maleev run.

Simply put: if you have read and liked the previous volumes in the Bendis/Maleev run, this is more of the same and a must read of what is one of the definitive runs in Daredevil's history.

[47Time · Rating 2 out of 5]

God, so many words. I bet you can cut out a random half of them and still have the story make sense. Matt is a pussy in this one. He gets taken down hard on more than one front. I fail to see why this volume was rated so highly.

Matt took control of New York from the Kingpin. Within weeks he cleaned it up, earned millions from the clean up and invested them back into the city. Soon he was offered to run for mayor of New York. The other heroes of New York asked him to back down, but he refused, even though he lost their support. Now, a full year later, there are no more bad guys around. Until some get the courage to face the Devil. Dun-dun-dunnn.

The Yakuza want control of the city. They force Matt to retreat and go into hiding (he does a lot of that), which worries his wife Milla. Yeah, he got married at some point. She goes to Ben Urich for help. He uses his contacts to find Matt, now a wounded man, wainting to heal.

It takes several days before Matt can heal, but as soon as he does, he apologizes to his superhero friends and builds a team to fight back. And they win, duh! Too bad Matt loses the girl. Dude, all you had to do was lie. Telling the truth never helps anybody.

[Bene Vogt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shows a truly laughable understanding of several aspects of society and the legal system it is set to discuss in the most earnest, „I swear this is grown ups-talking!“ way possible.
Also features some very shallow characterization of cast old and new, with special mention for Milla, who came into this story as one-dimensional love interest (mainly here for Bendis to do his greatest hit show in the preceding volume - a fight with Bullseye needs an almost fridged woman!) and apparently leaves as little motivated as that.
Oh, and the most pretentious fight against a hundred Ninjas I’ve ever seen.
And Maleev seems to be over the whole thing as well, the repeated recycling of drawings is at an all time here, with an sequence featuring a nurse taking the piss entirely.

Oh, and as I feared, the newest change to the status quo changes the nature of the story as little as the last one did, but also throws up several questions it’s not prepared to answer.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

What follows after Matt declares himself the new Kingpin is great. There's a gap in time (a year), since the previous story arc. Ben Urich meets with a mysterious person we later know as Milla, who tells Ben Matt is missing after a fight with the Yakuza. She also mentions she and Matt are married. So begins a story that shows the Yakuza pushing MGH and trying to move into the Kingpin's old territory. Apparently in this year, Daredevil has all but disappeared. Matt hasn't worn the costume. But the impending Yakuza threat forces him back in. With the help of Luke, Spider-Man and Iron Fist, Matt defeats the Yakuza.

[Néstor Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we think the solution is straightforward, but we fail to think about the repercussions of such solutions and Bendis does an incredible job portraying them. It feels like Matt won, that's the sensation we have after the Hardcore arc, but using Luke Cage, Reed, and Spidey (Dr. Strange does not apport anything here) we get a clear explanation of why it was a bad idea. Everything in comics is about balance, power balance, and good and evil balance; that scale is very fragile.

[Fabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still can’t believe he made himself kingpin…

[Breiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

One year after declaring himself the new kingpin, Matt Murdock is the unofficial ruler of Hell's Kitchen. I usually don't like time jumps, but in this case it worked pretty well.

[Bruce Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daredevil outs himself as Matt Murdock, defeats the Kingpin, takes his claim as Hell’s Kitchens new Kingpin, and fights off a shit ton of Yakuza in the process? Alright, I’ll keep reading.

[Odo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

[Cyril · Rating 4 out of 5]

DD teams up with Spidey and Luke against the Yakuza. Action packed and fun arc, art still not my cup.
3.75 stars

[Amir Saran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matty needs to take better care of his mental health