Shadowland (comics)

"Shadowland" is a 2010 comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics, focusing on Daredevil and other "street-level" superheroes in the Marvel Universe. The storyline started in the Daredevil comic and was expanded upon in the Shadowland five-issue mini series as well as four tie-in mini series, four one-shots, and two issues of Thunderbolts. The storyline was collected into seven individual hard cover and soft cover trade paperbacks in 2011.

The story chronicles Daredevil's return to Hell's Kitchen after he becomes the leader of the Hand Ninja clan. He builds a temple/prison in Hell's Kitchen, the eponymous Shadowland. His methods get more extreme as he kills long-time adversary Bullseye. The change in attitude brings him and his ally White Tiger in conflict with a number of street level super-heroes such as Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Moon Knight and more. The storyline also introduces a new Power Man to the Marvel Universe.

The heroes later realize that Daredevil has become possessed by the Beast of the Hand, which explains why Daredevil's actions have become more and more extreme and erratic. The heroes are helped out by the Kingpin and Lady Bullseye as they try to preserve the Kingpin's criminal empire. In the final moments of the story Iron Fist uses his mystical chi to heal Daredevil, releasing the demon inside him. In an act of sacrifice Daredevil kills himself before the Beast can take control of him again, breaking the spell the Beast had on Hell's Kitchen. Afterwards his corpse disappears, apparently to be revived by Elektra at the conclusion of the event.

The storyline included a number of tie-in limited series and one shots. As well as the core Shadowland title from writer Andy Diggle, the limited series include Blood on the Streets by Antony Johnston, Power Man by Fred Van Lente, Moon Knight by Gregg Hurwitz and Daughters of the Shadow by Jason Henderson. The one-shots focus on Spider-Man from Dan Slott, Elektra by Zeb Wells, Bullseye from John Layman and Ghost Rider from Rob Williams. The storyline also crossed over into the Thunderbolts series.

Matt Murdock returns to Hell's Kitchen from Japan as a changed man and seeks to utilise the Hand as a force for justice, including constructing Shadowland, a prison/temple constructed on the ruins of a Hell's Kitchen building which was destroyed (along with numerous lives) by Bullseye during the Dark Reign event. He confronts and battles Bullseye, who had escaped from the Raft, and kills him the same way that Bullseye had killed Elektra several years prior. The street-level heroes Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, and even the Punisher begin to question Matt and his methods.

Following his fight with Bullseye, Daredevil is joined by White Tiger.

The Hell Bikers later hold a funeral for Bullseye, which is unauthorized by Mayor J. Jonah Jameson, with Ben Urich and Danny Deaver dragged along to attend. Deaver however keeps getting visions of Bullseye. It is not clear to him whether or not it is the real ghost or just part of Deaver's psychosis. The funeral service is interrupted by Daredevil and the Hand, as a massive brawl breaks out, almost killing Urich.

Iron Fist and Luke Cage have an encounter with Power Man (Victor Alvarez), a survivor of the building that Bullseye blew up.