No Daredevil 104 Thread Yet? The shame! *Spoilers!*

[Sion]

Fantastic issue.

Here is a condensed review:


While Matt tortures Ox a bit (no waterboarding, even Matt has a limit :rolleyes:) and eventually gets the location of Mr. Fear, Senor Scary gets to Lily and offers to remove her "scent" (and alludes to the fact it was his creation) if she will go to the Murdock's and make Matt's wife go ga-ga again.

After Matt finishes beating up the Ox and getting the information, the Hood comes out of nowhere and frees him. The Ox calls Mr. Fear, warns that Daredevil is coming. To cut a short story shorter, Daredevil gets to the location, but the evil guy is long gone. Except Mr. Fear leaves him a notes, which prompts Matt to returns back home ASAP.

Too little too late though, as Daredevil gets back to home, sweet home, only to find the Nurse all bloodied up and Mila, literally, caught red-handed. She goes back to jail. Matt is able to pick up Lily's scent and goes to have a little spiel. She tells him what happened and that Mr. Fear will come to "congratulate" her pretty soon (badass :D ).

Meanwhile, Cranston goes to meet Ox with two body guards. But The Hood is there to Mr. Fear's surprise and takes both of them out. But the Marvel Red Hood doesn't want to fight... He wants to make a deal... hmmmm


And that wraps up what has been so far the best comic of the week.

Great stuff by Brubaker as usual. After reading Cap 34, I gotta admit... this man knows how to leave you hanging. Wow, great endings on both, excellent set-up and story-telling. Terrific, Marvel give him a raise (or just give him Loeb's pay =D)

[JoshuaCee]

I actually enjoyed this issue a little more than Brubaker's other book this week. I've been reading Daredevil since the MK relaunch in '98, and while I've always enjoyed the good stories and good art, I could never really cal myself a Daredevil fan, you know? Well, Brubaker's run has made me a fan. I like Matt Murdock now. This issue was no different. Matt's story is as interesting and intriguing as anything else I'm reading.

As for this issue, I'm really liking the Hood's role. That's a nice bit of continuity in a book that always kind of sets itself on the fringes of the MU.

[Post-It]

Another well written issue.

[chrismileslord]

Another Best Issue from the consistently best book at Marvel

[Toboe]

This arc was beginning to drag a little with last issue, but it sure picked up speed on this one.

I'm loving the inclusion of the Hood, the confrontation with Fear will be a blast. I really have no idea if they'll end up friends or foes.

Milla's insanity is turning her into an interesting for once. I thought she'd attacked Lily just cuz she hates her at first, but having Lily working for Fear under his control was a neat twist, and the revelation that she desires Matt Murdock.

Getting to see Matt on the violent edge if awesome. The more Mr. Fear keeps pushing him, the more extreme the retribution will be.

[Gloria]

This arc was beginning to drag a little with last issue, but it sure picked up speed on this one.
Personally, I don't feel at all the previous issues were "dragging". In fact, what is happening in Ish 104 wouldn't be as mighty if we hadn't had previous story-building. Every character behaves as he/she does built upon what said character did in previous issues. Lily is a tragic character, but she wouldn't be so if we hadn't her developed in prior issues.

I am of the opinion that this story arch is full of stuff. If you forget about the main plot, there are a lot of things being played in the background... One example of this is the fleeting moment, almost pannel decor, when we see Foggy discussing with Assistant D.A. Algren: whitout previous history, it would be just "two guys shouting at each other", with what we know already we sweat as we know Nelson is fiercely -and desperately- trying to hold the little ground he's got, and we know that Algren is royally pi**ed by the thought that the disaster is due to his agreement to release Milla earlier, and is blocked to any further plea.

Unless one cares specifically only for super-hero gigs, the ongoings are rich and I'm sure that we'll see them bloom in future issues and then say "Oh! I hadn't noticed that!".

[jumonji]

I agree with what most of you have said above and think that Gloria brings up a lot of very valid points (btw, "Hi Gloria!" *waves*).

One thing that really hit me, more than ever before, when I read this issue was how mature this book is, judging by all the themes that are addressed. How masterfully it rises above comic book clichés and manages to tell a story about a world that is almost-but-not-quite like our own. Just the way Matt is portrayed when he's sitting against that nicely done black backdrop thinking about just how devastatingly tragic his life has become. For those of you who don't like Milla's character (though it is often forgotten that many fans, like me, actually do find her interesting...), her suffering isn't even the big point of the story. It's all about Matt and what all of it is doing to him. It's not necessary to "buy" her as a character in order to relate to his pain and complete dispair. Aside from being a superhero, he's also just a regular guy who's watching a person he loves battle mental illness (though, of course, in real life mental illness is rarely induced by a costumed supervillain) as he looks on helplessly. This book is so intense and so "real" that it just takes my breath away. I like the superheroics and the brawls as much as the next person, but this book has been about so much more than that for most of its history and that's what appeals to me. It's for people who may like superheroics, but who also want much more.

Back to the specifics of this issue: Lily as a character is like so many people in the world. Trying to do the right thing in some small way, but unable to do so when the cost to herself is too high. Most people are able to do the "right" thing when it costs them nothing, but when it really matters, most don't have that level of courage. Still, I find myself feeling sorry for her. As for the torture scene, it's a redeeming factor that Matt causes relatively little permanent damage to Ox, but instead "only" inflicts pain. Here's another scene where you get a taste of Matt's all-encompassing rage. It's a rage that the reader understands all the better because of how events have been allowed to unfold over the course of this arc (and here the pacing works wonderfully), and we gladly cheer him on as he does it. What Mr Fear has done would be considered too low even for the Kingpin, and Matt's complete desperation is clearly felt.

Needless to say, I absolutely love this book and I thought this issue was stellar. Out of all the issues in this arc, I think #102 was probably the weakest (and that is a very relative term), and this latest issue is perhaps the strongest. Wow! I can't believe we have to wait an entire month for the conclusion.

[prodigy]

Brubaker's abysmally bad writing is perfectly complimented with equally wretched art.

This whole arc sucks. They're moving at 2 MPH. Pick up the pace. It's just plain boring and it feels more like a Cop drama rather than a superhero comic.


Rating : 1/10

The only cool part was Matt jumping into Lucca's pad unmasked like that.

[jumonji]

Brubaker's abysmally bad writing is perfectly complimented with equally wretched art.

This whole arc sucks. They're moving at 2 MPH. Pick up the pace. It's just plain boring and it feels more like a Cop drama rather than a superhero comic.


Rating : 1/10

The only cool part was Matt jumping into Lucca's pad unmasked like that.
I thought the whole point of Daredevil was to deliver something that isn't typical for superhero comics and transcend the genre. I love the fact that it's more of a crime book than a superhero book (and has been for many years), but to each his own. ;)

[Deathstroke]

While I'm enjoying the overall story, I have to say that I find myself feeling that it is being stretched out to fill 6 issues. Just seems like a whole lot of padding is going on.

[jpk]

Fear's fingers are so deep in Matt's life that the story can't be unraveled in two or three issues. In fact, the machinations go all the way back to the previous arc with Gladiator flipping out. The pacing is deliberate, but that's what makes it so good.

This is a book for mature readers who appreciate slow-building mysteries with big payoffs. It's not a book for people who want melees and throwdowns every month.

[Gloria]

(btw, "Hi Gloria!" *waves*)
Hi, Jumonji! ;)

[vazel]

Brubaker's abysmally bad writing is perfectly complimented with equally wretched art.

This whole arc sucks. They're moving at 2 MPH. Pick up the pace. It's just plain boring and it feels more like a Cop drama rather than a superhero comic.


Rating : 1/10

The only cool part was Matt jumping into Lucca's pad unmasked like that.Wow at first I thought you were making a sarcastic troll joke.

[jumonji]

This is a book for mature readers who appreciate slow-building mysteries with big payoffs. It's not a book for people who want melees and throwdowns every month.
Amen to that! You put words to my exact thoughts. This isn't a "villain of the month" book and the characters are all highly complex people with complicated lives. There is nothing wrong with wanting only straight action and big brawls, but there are so many other books that deal with those kinds of stories. I'm not suggesting that Daredevil is "better" in any absolute sense, but it's not a traditional superhero comic. I think Matt Murdock is one of the most interesting fictional characters ever created and to have him only engage in "straight action" would reduce him to something far less compelling.

And to make Gloria happy, may I also say that Foggy Nelson, too, is a worthy character who has rarely gotten the respect he deserves. Though both Bendis and Brubaker have handled him very nicely. ;)

[Omega Alpha]

The best issue of the week. Yeah, even better than Cap. America. Loved to see hardcore Matt on his descent to madness. The Hood and Mr. Fear have been used perfectly. And people complaining things were going slowly will have nothing to complain.

Brubaker's abysmally bad writing is perfectly complimented with equally wretched art.

This whole arc sucks. They're moving at 2 MPH. Pick up the pace. It's just plain boring and it feels more like a Cop drama rather than a superhero comic.


Rating : 1/10

The only cool part was Matt jumping into Lucca's pad unmasked like that.

LOL! Hilarious!

Wait, you're joking, right?:confused:

[Gloria]

And people complaining things were going slowly will have nothing to complain.
Yes, I still remember those who said, a few issues ago: "Who's dat guy?" and "How can I take seriously a Villain with a corny Mr. Something name?"

Now I doubt there is anyone around doubting Mr. Fear is a serious badass, corny name or not.

My forecast: when this saga is collected in trade, it will be a consistent seller for years (in the way good DD sagas like Born Again are still enjoyed and read). This work (Brubaker/Lark's DD) is agreeably independent of hype, fashions and fads, and will remain a solid read whenever we read it again.

Yes, I confess I like it :p

Amen to that! You put words to my exact thoughts. This isn't a "villain of the month" book and the characters are all highly complex people with complicated lives. There is nothing wrong with wanting only straight action and big brawls, but there are so many other books that deal with those kinds of stories. I'm not suggesting that Daredevil is "better" in any absolute sense, but it's not a traditional superhero comic. I think Matt Murdock is one of the most interesting fictional characters ever created and to have him only engage in "straight action" would reduce him to something far less compelling.
I do like myself other more super-hero-y stuff, I mean straightforward spandex romps (I mean, you can like both Hawks and Ozu as a movie-goer), but, yes, definitely DD is a series where character development is a substantial slice of the cake and I love it like that.

And to make Gloria happy, may I also say that Foggy Nelson, too, is a worthy character who has rarely gotten the respect he deserves. Though both Bendis and Brubaker have handled him very nicely. ;)
Not That I dislike the Fogster in his other incarnations (We got to see interesting sides of him by Miller, O'Neil and Kesel), but then the Comic-relief aspect of the character was prevalent... I mean, how can you take seriously a feller who's been with Matt ever since college and hasn't figured something about DD being always around? Foggy got a big step ahead, as a character, when he learned about Matt's secret ID... After that, he can, of course, be still in charge of puns, but he's also developed into Matt's trusty confidante, and the good friend who sticks by Matt even in the foulest of weathers.

...But then I'm partial: the Fogster is my kind of guy ;) Although he may not be the guy some girls think of as handsome, to my heart he carries the key (if Ira Gerswhin allows me the steal)

[prodigy]

Wow at first I thought you were making a sarcastic troll joke.
I have a different rating system than others. There are only 3 rankings : Pefect, meh, and negligible.



I don't like reading crap. I enjoy the good stuff. Not crap. This art is definitely not suitable for mainstream comics. It's far, far below acceptable. What is this? A bootleg V For Vendetta? Somebody send the colorist back to art school.

[brundlefly]

I don't like reading crap. I enjoy the good stuff. Not crap. This art is definitely not suitable for mainstream comics. It's far, far below acceptable. What is this? A bootleg V For Vendetta? Somebody send the colorist back to art school.

Curious; since you hated both this and the BKV's 'Y: The Last Man' finale, what is your definition of "the good stuff?"

[Sion]

Curious; since you hated both this and the BKV's 'Y: The Last Man' finale, what is your definition of "the good stuff?"



The Ultimates 3, perhaps?

[prodigy]

Curious; since you hated both this and the BKV's 'Y: The Last Man' finale, what is your definition of "the good stuff?"
Ultimates 1 and 2, The Authority, Punisher MAX (not the art), Cable & Deadpool, Agent X... Come to think of it that's about all I really like.

The Ultimates 3, perhaps?
Right. Because everything Brubaker does is just rich with perfect storytelling and represents the pinnacle of comics. So if I dislike that then I MUST love the lowest common denominator of comics huh? :rolleyes:

[Sion]

Right. Because everything Brubaker does is just rich with perfect storytelling and represents the pinnacle of comics. So if I dislike that then I MUST love the lowest common denominator of comics huh? :rolleyes:

No, because it was funny and I was trying to make a joke. Chill, dude.

If you dislike it so much, power to you, you are definitely the minority though.

And yes, Brubaker has been pretty excellent or a long time now. He deserves a lot of praise.

[Dr. Chaos]

Not a bad issue this month but as usual, Brubaker's other work beats it by a country mile.

[prodigy]

No, because it was funny and I was trying to make a joke. Chill, dude.

If you dislike it so much, power to you, you are definitely the minority though.

And yes, Brubaker has been pretty excellent or a long time now. He deserves a lot of praise.
lol sorry, sorry. I was kidding too.

Thing about the internet is... You can never see like, my smirk or chuckle as I make a joke. I always seem to come off as angry or something. My bad.

[Sion]

lol sorry, sorry. I was kidding too.

Thing about the internet is... You can never see like, my smirk or chuckle as I make a joke. I always seem to come off as angry or something. My bad.

Heh, no problem. Just glad to know you are a fan of the True Ultimates. :)

[Rahul]

Aww, yeah, now Brubaker is telling a great DD story! The dragging ended!

[Pixie_Solanas]

I have a different rating system than others. There are only 3 rankings : Pefect, meh, and negligible.



I don't like reading crap. I enjoy the good stuff. Not crap. This art is definitely not suitable for mainstream comics. It's far, far below acceptable. What is this? A bootleg V For Vendetta? Somebody send the colorist back to art school.

ah, i get it. haw haw

[Dr. Chaos]

The joy of Daredevil at times is watching how some creators choose to torture the character, he's literally the sim of Marvel superheroes.

You just can't help but poke, prod, deprive him of food, sleep, shelter and sit back and watch as he slowly goes insane once again. It's ridiculously enjoyable and fun.

Thankfully Ed has really started participating in that part of this series' legacy lately.

Blow torching for the win!