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Daredevil (1) #298-299 (1991)
Writer: D. G. Chichester
Penciler: Lee Weeks
Inker: Al Williamson

Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. cross paths with Daredevil when Von Strucker's Hydra starts dealing with Wilson Fisk. Fury lays down a trail for Matt Murdock to follow in order to take down the Kingpin, which serves to strike a blow against Hydra. Fisk learns that he's been played by Hydra (Von Strucker posing as a buyer for the Kingpin's media outlets) and goes after Garrote. While interrogating the Hydra operative, Hydra launches an all-out assualt on Kingpin and his criminal empire.

  • Continuity Notes
  • Appearance by Dum Dum Dugan Alexander Pierce, and Kate Neville
  • Appearances by Baron Von Strucker and Garrote
  • S.H.I.E.L.D. is still dealing with the aftermath of the Hydra attack on S.H.I.E.L.D. Central
  • Von Strucker's disguise as Colonel Strang is reminiscent of his Strange Tales alias of Don Caballero and Emir Ali-Bey.
  • Reprinted in Daredevil: Fall of the Kingpin

Review:
Repercussion from the events in the S.H.I.E.L.D. title weave through this, one of the classic Daredevil stories of the time. Although Fury isn't directly involved in much of the story dealing with the Kingpin's fall, he does help maneuver Murdock into place and shows Fury as the subtle manipulator that would give rise to later stories like Secret War. Chichester is definitely in my top five writers of Nick Fury, and he uses the supporting cast well through the two issues. I especially like how Dugan speaks the unease Fury fans may have seeing their favorite spy manipulating a friend. With Chichester's run on the title, it always seemed like Fury and Von Strucker were just on the edge of Daredevil's universe, which I always thought was cool. I always hoped there would be some more full-on Daredevil/S.H.I.E.L.D. crossover, but alas, it never happened.

The war that erupts between Kingpin and Hydra has real spark with Hydra gaining the ultimate advantage and Von Strucker looking the superior villain for it.The final line from Garrote, The pages of Daredevil were certainly a surprsing spot to find a strong showing for Von Strucker, as issue #295 features a cool flashback to Von Strucker facing off against The Hand in the early days of Hydra's founding.

A good couple of issues to pick up to complete the return of Hydra storyline.


Rating: