The Punisher and Daredevil have one of the fiercest rivalries in all of Marvel Comics. That conflict was transplanted into the Netflix series before both heroes were brought into the MCU. A new miniseries, Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger offers a fresh perspective on the classic clash. However, while the setup may seem familiar to fans of the streaming series, there’s another tale to tell.
The Devil’s Trigger finds Matt Murdock employed to defend noted gangster Dino Gnucci. For once, however, Gnucci is innocent of the crime of which he is accused. This doesn’t matter to Frank Castle, however, who has been slowly taking out the Gnucci family one at a time. This sets up the core conflict of the issue, with Matt trying to protect his client in court and as Daredevil.
This setup may seem familiar to both comic readers and MCU fans. This exact scenario originally played out in 2000’s The Punisher #3 – “The Devil by the Horns.†That story, told from Frank Castle’s perspective, showed him easily subduing Daredevil and setting up a sadistic choice. He gave a chained-up Daredevil a gun and made it clear the only way to save the gangster was to kill Punisher. The Netflix series replicated this moment, but had Matt Murdock shoot his chains to break free. This would not have been possible with the twist in the original comic, however, which is replicated in The Devil’s Trigger.
Despite title, Devil’s Trigger more of a Daredevil story
Jimmy Palmiotti‘s script is laser-focused on Daredevil, showing his perspective on the events of “The Devil by the Horns.†However, Palmiotti improves on the original story in two respects. First, he removes the bias Garth Ennis showed towards the more cynical Punisher and paints both heroes as equals in terms of ability. Next, he builds on the original story, which ended abruptly with Matt being knocked out. This sets up a more psychological battle between the two rivals, with Frank subtly trying to prove that his way is the right way. However, the issue ends with Matt more determined than ever to stop Frank Castle from killing.
The artwork is different than Steve Dillon‘s in the original story. However, it is no less skillful despite the differences. Tommaso Bianchi‘s general aesthetic is less detailed and employs heavier inks. However, this suits the Noir tone of the story and the visual tone is appropriate to both Daredevil and Punisher. The colors of Bryan Valenza aid in establishing this mood, with rich reds and pale blues clashing amidst the black of the shadows. This symbolically mirrors the conflict between the two title characters.
All in all, Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger achieves everything it sets out to accomplish. It improves on a classic story, which elevated Frank Castle at Matt Murdock’s expense. However, it also offers an accessible twist on the same story, which is sure to appeal to both comic readers and casual readers who don’t know the history.
Grade: 10/10
Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
