Issue(s): Daredevil #301, Daredevil #302, Daredevil #303
Cover Date: Feb-Apr 92
Title: "The raptor" / "Nocturnal hunter" / "Dark and deliverance"
Credits:
D.G. Chichester - Writer
M.C. Wyman - Penciler
Christopher Ivy - Inker
Len Kaminski - Assistant Editor
Ralph Macchio - Editor

Review/plot:
With the Kingpin gone, an older crimelord from the Daredevil mythos resurfaces. Instead of just having the Owl as the villain of the month (or three months), Chichester smartly weaves this into the continued story of the series, with the Owl trying to carve out a space for himself in the remnants of the Kingpin's empire. The story also picks up on the fact that the Owl's body has been degrading, and adds to that mental degradation. This scan really encapsulates the whole thing, showing how the Owl was not welcomed as an "elder statesman of crime" as well as his physical "modifications" and the fact that he's becoming more owl-like, mentally.

The changes are due to treatments he's been subjecting himself to in order to improve his flying power.

He can also rotate his neck 180 degrees.

His eyes and ears have mutated as well.

Daredevil is as much concerned about helping the Owl as stopping him, and does seem to reach him in the end.

At one point Daredevil works with an established mobster named Pete London to get info on the Owl.

It's weird to see Daredevil thinking about "respect" when dealing with a known criminal, and i thought this might be leading somewhere, but it seems like this is London's only appearance.

Giving the Owl actual owl characteristics wouldn't be a move that i would make, but the issues are done well.

Statement of Ownership Total Paid Circulation: Average of Past 12 months = 166,003. Single issue closest to filing date = 236,600.

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• A flashback shows the important scenes from the Owl's history, including:
  • his origin from Daredevil #3.
    
  • The Owl's paralyzation, revealed in Daredevil #144, and the leg braces that he started wearing in Daredevil #145.
    
  • His battle with Dr. Octopus in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #75-76.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Those are some creepy shots of the owl. Though it's weird how the Owl is continuously brought up as sum kind of underworld Mastermind. He's never really seen as much of a threat be it on the power level nor the schemer level.