Review by Ian Keogh

Chip Zdarsky has taken the TV writer’s approach with Daredevil, starting out with a limited cast, then once they’re established he’s added more, then more still, to the point where he’s now captivated readers with several different stories that are starting to connect. The true power and influence was revealed in Through Hell, including a salutary embarrassment for the Kingpin, unusual territory indeed. Matt Murdock still believes he can’t be Daredevil as that’s a flawed solution to a big problem, which is that Hell’s Kitchen has been abandoned by the police who’re letting a gang war take its bloody course.

End of Hell is the loud action crescendo to what’s so far been a lot of captivating discussions punctuated by moments of extreme violence. It broadly breaks down into two parts, separated by a change of artist. Jorge Fornés takes a lighter touch with the inks than last time, although big areas of shadow is a stock in trade, and his pages resemble those of Michael Lark’s Gotham Central, especially when he’s in the police precinct. He’s also very effective in moving people around, something Lark tended to avoid. It is, however, a big contrast between the style Fornés employs and the more photographic poses of Marco Checchetto.

Checchetto’s arrival coincides with five sadistic villains arriving in Hell’s Kitchen under instructions to spread mayhem and terror, and Checchetto’s extrapolation of the chaos is stunning. The sample art speaks for itself.

Given the meticulous planning Zdarsky’s put into Daredevil chapter by chapter, to finish this with forty pages of absolute mayhem is a real surprise, although it seems a waste of Bullseye just to team him with the likes of Stilt-Man and the Rhino. An even bigger surprise awaits when a subplot that’s not been the most compelling suddenly explodes into life with a great revelation. Not to downplay the tension of the opening portion, but this is a fantastic conclusion with a game-changing ending. If nothing else it proves why the area needs Daredevil. The pieces are picked up in Truth/Dare.

This is also available as part of the second hardcover volume of Daredevil: To Heaven Through Hell.