Daredevil #105 *Spoilers*

[drwho]

Wow, what a way to end a storyline and they practically got rid of Milla too woohoo. The art is awesome on this so much action and so much stuff goes on in this its like a burrito. The scripting of this issue is just awesome and it creates a great atmosphere for this story.

Some cool scenes where Hood and Fear are talking and he reveals he started the war with him just to bring in Daredevil. DD shows up and some great action packed sequences as it is revealed Fear used his chemicals to strip himself of any fear. Anyway Fear says there is no cure for Milla and eventually DD beats him to a pulp and Fear admits to everything exonerating Milla. Fear ends up in prison, but it is revealed he did the whole Lilly phermone thing so everyone in jail is his lacky and the cops do whatever he wants. Mr. Fear says he will leave the joint once he gets bored of it to cause hell for Matt in the future. And the greatest thing is Milla gets shipped to a mental hospital for treatment. My hopes are she comes back not even knowing who Matt is. :p

[Agent_Torpor]

Yet again, Brubaker delivers.

Bru's depiction of the Hood, in just a few panels, is infinitely better than what Bendis did for books on end.

And yeah, something tells me that Milla n Matt are never to be a blissfully married couple again.

[vazel]

Heh I have no idea what you people mean by Milla not being a factor anymore since I haven't gotten my issue yet but hopefully Matt's next girl is another pretty blond. <3 Karen Page.
Bru's depiction of the Hood, in just a few panels, is infinitely better than what Bendis did for books on end.
Brubaker is one of the best writers out there but let's not downplay Bendis his run on DD was great too.

[Billage]

This arc has been the weakest thus far in Bru's run.Filled with many forced scenes between Matt and Milla."I'm never letting go." Oh come now now.

The whole Matt and Milla rel'p was just overused in this arc and it really wore it down when it could have been a really nice gang war arc.

I still have to read this issue,but I'm probably dropping this book if this issue doesn't deliver for me.

[Agent_Torpor]

Heh I have no idea what you people mean by Milla not being a factor anymore since I haven't gotten my issue yet but hopefully Matt's next girl is another pretty blond. <3 Karen Page. Brubaker is one of the best writers out there but let's not downplay Bendis his run on DD was great too.

Bendis was good on DD, but that's not what i'm talking about. I'm talking about his work on NA (and his work with The Hood), which has been uniformly laughable.

[Agent_Torpor]

This arc has been the weakest thus far in Bru's run.Filled with many forced scenes between Matt and Milla."I'm never letting go." Oh come now now.

The whole Matt and Milla rel'p was just overused in this arc and it really wore it down when it could have been a really nice gang war arc.

I still have to read this issue,but I'm probably dropping this book if this issue doesn't deliver for me.

Without the pathos of the Milla/Matt relationship in tatters, the gangwar means nothing. It's the "not letting go" that drives Matt deeper into a dark side that he usually doesn't venture.

Without the "forced scenes" between the two, we don't really understand why Matt's going berserk. What's his motivation?

[Monty_Cristo]

Wow, what a way to end a storyline and they practically got rid of Milla too woohoo. The art is awesome on this so much action and so much stuff goes on in this its like a burrito. The scripting of this issue is just awesome and it creates a great atmosphere for this story.

Some cool scenes where Hood and Fear are talking and he reveals he started the war with him just to bring in Daredevil. DD shows up and some great action packed sequences as it is revealed Fear used his chemicals to strip himself of any fear. Anyway Fear says there is no cure for Milla and eventually DD beats him to a pulp and Fear admits to everything exonerating Milla. Fear ends up in prison, but it is revealed he did the whole Lilly phermone thing so everyone in jail is his lacky and the cops do whatever he wants. Mr. Fear says he will leave the joint once he gets bored of it to cause hell for Matt in the future. And the greatest thing is Milla gets shipped to a mental hospital for treatment. My hopes are she comes back not even knowing who Matt is. :p


this arc has made me like Mr. Fear and consider him worthy of being a 1st-tier Daredevil villain. i didn't care about the character at all before now. so Cranston is an old law school rival. neat. i'm so glad that he didn't punk out and join Hood's gang.

Heh I have no idea what you people mean by Milla not being a factor anymore since I haven't gotten my issue yet but hopefully Matt's next girl is another pretty blond. <3 Karen Page. Brubaker is one of the best writers out there but let's not downplay Bendis his run on DD was great too.

i find Bendis' Hood to be annoying. but his Daredevil run was great. of course it might have had more to do with Maleev's artwork. i'd buy a silent issue as long as he's drawing it.

[shogunw00t]

Mr. Fear is BADASS. Great ending. Loved that Milla will be gone from the book now.

I have a question though. Did Mr. Fear say he killed his chemist so there would be no cure?

[Agent_Torpor]

Mr. Fear is BADASS. Great ending. Loved that Milla will be gone from the book now.

I have a question though. Did Mr. Fear say he killed his chemist so there would be no cure?

That's the impression I got. No chemist, no cure. Matt nearly shat himself with that news.

[Monty_Cristo]

That's the impression I got. No chemist, no cure. Matt nearly shat himself with that news.

then he passed out because of his enhanced sense of smell.

[DaeJi]

Fear is now one of the biggest bastards in all of Marvel. I like it. I don't think Milla is gone for good, or even a long while. Matt will try to get her help, I think. And yeah, while I can't stand the Hood in New Avengers (he got way too much power way to quickly with little story behind it), he's much more bearable here. But not as cool as Fear.

[vazel]

i'd buy a silent issue as long as he's drawing it.
yea issue #28 of DD was good. Though I can imagine a bunch of people casually buying the issue going wtf lol.

[Monty_Cristo]

Fear is now one of the biggest bastards in all of Marvel. I like it. I don't think Milla is gone for good, or even a long while. Matt will try to get her help, I think. And yeah, while I can't stand the Hood in New Avengers (he got way too much power way to quickly with little story behind it), he's much more bearable here. But not as cool as Fear.

i hope that Fear teams up with some other mid-level mastermind types and organizes his own criminal congregation. guys like Sinclair Abbott (the new Spymaster) and Imus Champion (old Avengers foe) should be game.

[CMBMOOL]

Well, Marvel does it again and gotten rid of another Marriage by shipping the wife into the nut house. :(

Still makes me wonder that the moment Millar and Hitch are done with the Fantastic Four, then the FF marriage is next. :(

[The Master Meglomaniac]

Well, Marvel does it again and gotten rid of another Marriage by shipping the wife into the nut house. :(

Still makes me wonder that the moment Millar and Hitch are done with the Fantastic Four, then the FF marriage is next. :(

Who cares, Matt married on the rebound anyway, its not like they were married for decades like MJ and Pete, marrying so soon after Karen's death, there is no way it would have worked.

[TimJ]

I think the main difference between this and Spiderman's marriage is that it worked within the context of the story. It wasn't forced by editorial mandate like Peter & Mary Jane.

[drwho]

Also Milla isnt a very fan favorite of a character so I'd love to see them divorce. I personally think she drags everything down as his wife although some of the issues had top notch characterization with her. It just doesn't seem to me like Matt would go for someone that in my opinion comes off so freaking helpless. It is similar to Peter with Aunt May, but we have known Aunt Mat for like 30 years and Milla maybe under 2 or 3. Blaah

[Expletive Deleted]

I liked the issue, but I wasn't crazy about the ending. Fear'd finally been built up into a decent villain, and then . . . why turn him into what seems like a cut-rate Purple Man?

[Monty_Cristo]

Also Milla isnt a very fan favorite of a character so I'd love to see them divorce. I personally think she drags everything down as his wife

time for Mephisto? :D

[Hi-Fi]

Milla was ok. I'm not sad to let her go. Bring Natasha back! Or Dakota North.

[Monty_Cristo]

I liked the issue, but I wasn't crazy about the ending. Fear'd finally been built up into a decent villain, and then . . . why turn him into what seems like a cut-rate Purple Man?

i can see what you're saying. but Fear outright beat Daredevil (more impressive than pistol whipping Tigra, imo). Purple Man's never done that. plus, i love it that there's now a "villain without fear."

[ZT4]

Yeah, Milla was more a cog in the wheel. Matt's drove other girls to worse (height of the Miller era)

[Expletive Deleted]

plus, i love it that there's now a "villain without fear."Well, yeah. That's a great hook. Which is why I don't quite get the point of giving him Lily's powers on top of it.

[Monty_Cristo]

Well, yeah. That's a great hook. Which is why I don't quite get the point of giving him Lily's powers on top of it.

i'm so out of the loop that i didn't even know that Lily had powers. wait, who is Lily? :confused:

maybe they intend to one-day bring Lilly back into the title as Missus Fear. right now they are just trying not to compete with a potentially other-villainous-Lily over in Spider-man's book.

[Expletive Deleted]

i'm so out of the loop that i didn't even know that Lily had powers. wait, who is Lily? :confused:Lily Lucca? From earlier this storyline? Everyone automatically loves her? Referenced by Fear in his closing narration?

[Monty_Cristo]

Lily Lucca? From earlier this storyline? Everyone automatically loves her? Referenced by Fear in his closing narration?

ahhh. that's who that was. oh well. i hate the name Lily Lucca. it's ludicrous.

[Hi-Fi]

Wasn't there a Lilly from SHIELD with the same powers over at She-Hulk?

[Monty_Cristo]

Wasn't there a Lilly from SHIELD with the same powers over at She-Hulk?

are you talking about Agent Cheesecake?

[mattbib]

What an excellent, sad issue. Will things NEVER go well for Matt and those around him?

Bru...I swear...if you do anything bad to my Dakota...!!!

[ultramandingo]

....... so mr fear getting his ass kicked was part of his master plan ? coulda sent him a text - u r boned i am evil 4 ever - and turn him self in

[Gloria]

Bru...I swear...if you do anything bad to my Dakota...!!!

I'm sure think Bru means Dakota no harm... More like: I suspect that he's got big plans for her (and no, it's nothing about dating Matt, hopefully).

Moreso... anyone harming Dakota knows that he'll have to face the Fogster's wrath (remember #82!)

[Pyro]

This is consistently a great book, but...

Does every villain have to have a personal vendetta with Matt? I think it's something that's becoming somewhat old in regards to Daredevil. I'm glad to see Mr. Fear built into a big threat here with a great chance at being a recurring villain.

Along with the story, I thought the art in particular was top notch this issue.

[Dr. Chaos]

How perfect was that ending?

Thats how you make a villian.

Daredevil completely lost, even I was a lil surprised by that...this entire arc was just one huge victory for Cranston.

[mosdef]

Man you gotta feel for Matt, the people that go against him always want him to suffer emotionally and be in turmoil. I don't think he'll ever have a life without pain. I wasn't able to read the whole arc; can someone tell me how Lilly and Cranston are able to affect people the way they do?

[claimtosubclaim]

Milla was ok. I'm not sad to let her go. Bring Natasha back! Or Dakota North.

Natasha! Get her away from Bucky and put her back in Daredevil. At the end of the day/their superhero careers, she and Matt are meant for each other.

Well, yeah. That's a great hook. Which is why I don't quite get the point of giving him Lily's powers on top of it.

Prison sex.

[jumonji]

Laugh at me all you want, but there is one thing about what a lot of posters in this thread have written that almost sickens me a little. I know full and well that this is a fictional world with fictional characters, but the glee expressed at Milla's fate is almost a little tasteless.

I was sure this was what was going to happen to her (and just a tiny tad disappointed that the twist was one I could have seen a mile away), but how can you guys read this and not be deeply emotionally affected by it?. You don't have to love Milla (I'm not even a die-hard 100% Milla fan myself), but Matt does love her. Maybe not as much as Karen, but she is one of the women he's loved in his life and knowing that his being what he is indirectly ruined her life has put him in a place that is just complete darkness for him. I know this is just a comic book, but this "okay, bring on the next chick!" attitude doesn't sit well with me. There's a deep emotional element to this story, far beyond what one usually sees in this genre, that makes it what it is. While I've enjoyed the superheroics aspects of Matt's exploits as well, it's the fact that the characters feel so real that makes this book what it is. Take away Matt's personal relationships, and what do you have?

All in all, though, this was one of the best issues of Daredevil I've ever read, and having a wife in a psych ward puts a new twist to this very "adult" and complex book. Thank God this is one character that Marvel would never get the idea of having younger readers try to relate to. For those of you who only want to see big showdowns, I don't even know why you're reading this book.

I'm sorry if I come across as a bit harsh and melodramatic here, but I just read this issue about an hour ago, and I'm still feeling a little emotional. ;)

[Omega Alpha]

Good issue, but I thought that Mr. Fear simply giving up and confessing everything seemed too forced, IMO. If Brubaker wanted to get rid of Mila, though, he found the best way. Matt doesn't have to deal with another lover dying, but this time is even worse. On the other hand, she's free to be used anytime Bru or other writer wants to.

[Toboe]

Excellent issue, Mr. Fear has really become a bad ass villian here.

I feel terrible for Matt, everyone close to him always end up in a tragic situation. Milla's fate could possibly be worse than death here...

I liked Brubaker's use of the Hood, and how his characterization is closer to Vaughan's original mini. I hope he keeps popping up in the future.

[Monty_Cristo]

This is consistently a great book, but...

Does every villain have to have a personal vendetta with Matt? .

Hell's Kitchen belongs to Daredevil. if a villain operates in Hell's Kitchen, they have a personal vendetta with Matt.

[Darth Pipes]

Excellent issue. This turned into a very good story arc. Cranston definitely put himself over as a badass...he won this one big time. Poor Matt.

[prodigy]

Sucked. Another terrible issue from Brubaker.

Where in the hell did all the art go? Anybody know? I'm stumped. Because there was no art whatsoever in this.

I thought if you got published by the biggest comic company that it meant it's professional-grade stuff. So how is the sketch/scribble team still in business?

(It would be a cruel insult as well as HEAVILY undermining the talent of ACTUAL artists out there like Djurdjevic to regard the people on Daredevil as "artists". So they shall not be referred to as such.)

The colorist is obviously colorblind. It's ironic, huh? Someone tell the guy there are more colors out there than red and black.

So yeah. Apparently I'm the only one whose actually reading this title. The drawings are A-W-F-U-L. Awful awful awful.

This looks like 1960's coming-of-age crap. The drawings might have been acceptable 40+ years ago but books like The Ultimates and countless other titles kind of raise the bar and make me say that it's no longer ok to produce ugly.

[Gloria]

I thought if you got published by the biggest comic company that it meant it's professional-grade stuff. So how is the sketch/scribble team still in business?

The art is great. Point.

Lark is A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

You would probably give a "0" to Alex Toth, Hugo Pratt or Frank Robbins, too.

[Pyro]

Yeah, Michael Lark is great. I don't know why you're so vehemently against it, prodigy, because you can't deny his skill. He's got such a great handle on perspective, layout, and anatomy. His characters look like real people.

[Jimmy Holograph]

The colorist is obviously colorblind. It's ironic, huh? Someone tell the guy there are more colors out there than red and black.

You obviously know NOTHING about Daredevil comics, or dark, moody comics in general.

This issue was pretty good, as much as I wanted Fear to get what he deserved, the way in which he beat Matt was awesome.

[prodigy]

You obviously know NOTHING about Daredevil comics, or dark, moody comics in general.

This issue was pretty good, as much as I wanted Fear to get what he deserved, the way in which he beat Matt was awesome.
Yes I do. But it's 2008 right now. Not 1976. There are better ways to make a comic all dark and moody other than making it feel like you're reading it with 10 sunglasses on.

Yeah, Michael Lark is great. I don't know why you're so vehemently against it, prodigy, because you can't deny his skill. He's got such a great handle on perspective, layout, and anatomy. His characters look like real people.
You're thinking of someone else. Real people don't look like they were haphazardly carved out of wood. Where is the detail?


Go read DC's Kingdom Come. Then get back to me trying to say it's ok to make drawings like what's in Daredevil or that Lark's characters "look like real people".


On one hand there are artists who bless us like Alex Ross and Dell'Otto and countless others.


....And then there's Lark. Hm. I don't think he really can compete. He needs to step his game up elevenfold.

I'm accustomed to great stuff.

Not crap. Not average or mediocre.

I may be a little too hard on Lark but I don't know where to place the blame.

Cuz when sketches are this especially poor, it's really hard to tell who is to blame. There are problems all over the place.

The coloring job is just plain terrible. So I can't tell if maybe everything looked great before but the awful coloring job just went and screwed everything up or what.

The art is great. Point.

Lark is A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

You would probably give a "0" to Alex Toth, Hugo Pratt or Frank Robbins, too.

I don't know who those people are, though.

I'm really unhappy inside so that kinda explains why I'm so angry all the time.

[Rahul]

Whooof, the villain destroys the day!

[jumonji]

Sucked. Another terrible issue from Brubaker.

Where in the hell did all the art go? Anybody know? I'm stumped. Because there was no art whatsoever in this.
Question: Why do you keep reading things you think are terrible? Since this obviously wasn't the first Bru issue you've read, and your previous experiences have been negative, why torture yourself?

That art is great. That's an opinion on my part, and not objective truth by any means, but with a vast majority of readers liking the art a great deal, it's safe to say that most people are fans of Lark's work. It's okay that you're not, though. To each his own.

I loved this issue, and I like the entire arc. I didn't mind the pacing at all. Then again, I read Daredevil more for the thriller/drama/character elements than the action. I was actually pleasantly surprised that the fight scene with Fear didn't take up the entire issue (though I though it was a very good scene).

[XPac]

You obviously know NOTHING about Daredevil comics, or dark, moody comics in general.

This issue was pretty good, as much as I wanted Fear to get what he deserved, the way in which he beat Matt was awesome.

Yeah, I think its nice how the villain at least kind of got the upperhand even of Mat ultimately stops him.

Fear is being built up right before our eyes, so if he gets what he deserves right off the bat he'll never be elevated as a villain.

This was a great way of having the villain lose, but still come off dam scary. It's a tough balancing act which this book pulls off flawlessly.

[Exo]

I'm sorry if I come across as a bit harsh and melodramatic here, but I just read this issue about an hour ago, and I'm still feeling a little emotional. ;)

Yeah. I liked Milla and it was sad to see her end up in some mental institute. For all of those who want Matt to move on with his life, and on to the next girl, doing so wouldn't make any sense as he still loves her.

[BruceLeeroy]

Can Brubaker not kill villians for some reason? He pulled the exact same stunt with his run on Batman where the MAJOR villian just goes to jail in the end.

[XPac]

Can Brubaker not kill villians for some reason? He pulled the exact same stunt with his run on Batman where the MAJOR villian just goes to jail in the end.

Isn't that what normaly happens? You beat a villain and send them to jail. Killing them off is kind of a waste since they can be used again.

[BruceLeeroy]

Isn't that what normaly happens? You beat a villain and send them to jail. Killing them off is kind of a waste since they can be used again.

I know, but after a six issue buildup I was hoping something BIG would happen. Like The Hood cappin' Fear or just something unexpected or different than simply going to jail. I read alot of Vertigo so maybe that's my problem:)

[Pyro]

You're thinking of someone else. Real people don't look like they were haphazardly carved out of wood. Where is the detail?


Go read DC's Kingdom Come. Then get back to me trying to say it's ok to make drawings like what's in Daredevil or that Lark's characters "look like real people".


On one hand there are artists who bless us like Alex Ross and Dell'Otto and countless others.


....And then there's Lark. Hm. I don't think he really can compete. He needs to step his game up elevenfold.Ok. First of all, I have read Kingdom Come. It is "ok" to make drawing like those in Daredevil, and Lark's characters do look like real people. He doesn't just draw generic man and woman like a lot of comic artists. Every character has an individual look. I think Lark's art is more than "ok," I think he's doing a great job in Daredevil. Besides, I really don't think Alex Ross' style would suit Daredevil anyway.

Also, I agree that Lark's artwork is very rough looking. I, myself, on occasion have wished that he would focus more on detail or have cleaner linework. I don't think rough=bad, though. You seem to prefer a cleaner, more painterly style. That's fine. Lark doesn't have that. But I still maintain that he is skilled, particularly in the areas I mentioned before. I feel that is about as much as I can say on the topic without providing specific examples.

I know, but after a six issue buildup I was hoping something BIG would happen. Like The Hood cappin' Fear or just something unexpected or different than simply going to jail. I read alot of Vertigo so maybe that's my problem:)It was more like a 10 issue buildup. The Mr. Fear storyline has been going on since issue 95. I still don't understand why Cranston came out of nowhere being so obsessed with Matt. Even with the reprint of that issue in 100, I don't get his motivation.

[prodigy]

Isn't that what normaly happens? You beat a villain and send them to jail. Killing them off is kind of a waste since they can be used again.
Sorry, no. Any writer that feels that the default, standard way to handle villains is sending them to jail is SOFT. Period.


They need some balls and just kill off the damned dude already.

That's how it (should) work in the real world.

Don't sit there and act like if we kill off Mr. Fear then there's gonna be some tragic shortage of supervillains and *gasp* the heroes get a day off to drink iced tea. Come on man. Even cops get a break.

Aigh'?

[Agent_Torpor]

Yes I do. But it's 2008 right now. Not 1976. There are better ways to make a comic all dark and moody other than making it feel like you're reading it with 10 sunglasses on.


You're thinking of someone else. Real people don't look like they were haphazardly carved out of wood. Where is the detail?


Go read DC's Kingdom Come. Then get back to me trying to say it's ok to make drawings like what's in Daredevil or that Lark's characters "look like real people".


On one hand there are artists who bless us like Alex Ross and Dell'Otto and countless others.


....And then there's Lark. Hm. I don't think he really can compete. He needs to step his game up elevenfold.

I'm accustomed to great stuff.

Not crap. Not average or mediocre.

I may be a little too hard on Lark but I don't know where to place the blame.

Cuz when sketches are this especially poor, it's really hard to tell who is to blame. There are problems all over the place.

The coloring job is just plain terrible. So I can't tell if maybe everything looked great before but the awful coloring job just went and screwed everything up or what.



I don't know who those people are, though.

I'm really unhappy inside so that kinda explains why I'm so angry all the time.

EDIT: You almost got me here. You're just takin' the piss, right? Just tryin' to be contrary to get a rise...

[XPac]

Sorry, no. Any writer that feels that the default, standard way to handle villains is sending them to jail is SOFT. Period.


They need some balls and just kill off the damned dude already.

That's how it (should) work in the real world.

Don't sit there and act like if we kill off Mr. Fear then there's gonna be some tragic shortage of supervillains and *gasp* the heroes get a day off to drink iced tea. Come on man. Even cops get a break.

Aigh'?

If the heroes decide to kill off the villains that deserve to die, sooner or later they will end up running out of villains unless the writers constantly create new ones that later will need to be killed off too. And if the readers and writers actually LIKE the villains, like I said it would be a waste.

Some heroes kill... Wolverine or Punisher for example. But many don't. I think that's fairly realistic. It's not unreasonable that some heroes would respect the law and due process enough not to kill (especially if that hero happens to be a lawyer).

[Kirayoshi]

Red Skull has the run of the country in Captain America. The X-Men have pretty much abandoned Xavier's dream. Spider-Man shook hands with Mephisto. Is it current Marvel policy that the heroes always lose?

Even when they seemingly defeat the villain or save the day, the price is always too high. I know Daredevil is Marvel's designated Dark Hero, but c'mon! It's like Matt's purpose in life is to give Peter Parker someone he can look at and say, "No matter how screwed up my life is, at least I'm not you."

[ultramandingo]

Real people don't look like they were haphazardly carved out of wood. Where is the detail?


......yeah we need more tracers and swipers like Greg Land

[Rahul]

Even I was not too big on Michael Lark in my early reading days, but slowly slowly I grew to appreciate his unique artwork. Same like how I appreciated Humberto Ramos and Alex Maleev's work. Chris Bachalo though...needs more time..

[Omega Alpha]

Red Skull has the run of the country in Captain America. The X-Men have pretty much abandoned Xavier's dream.


You say that like it was a bad thing.

[Green Goblin 4]

Yes I do. But it's 2008 right now. Not 1976. There are better ways to make a comic all dark and moody other than making it feel like you're reading it with 10 sunglasses on.


You're thinking of someone else. Real people don't look like they were haphazardly carved out of wood. Where is the detail?


Go read DC's Kingdom Come. Then get back to me trying to say it's ok to make drawings like what's in Daredevil or that Lark's characters "look like real people".


On one hand there are artists who bless us like Alex Ross and Dell'Otto and countless others.


....And then there's Lark. Hm. I don't think he really can compete. He needs to step his game up elevenfold.

I'm accustomed to great stuff.

Not crap. Not average or mediocre.

I may be a little too hard on Lark but I don't know where to place the blame.

Cuz when sketches are this especially poor, it's really hard to tell who is to blame. There are problems all over the place.

I don't know about you dude, but I like my comics on time, and all these "great artists" you love so much usually can't get that done. Give any artist 3-4 months for one issue and they also can be "great." Unfortunately some are professionals, and actually meet deadlines, yet still come out with damn good art in my opinion.

[XPac]

Red Skull has the run of the country in Captain America. The X-Men have pretty much abandoned Xavier's dream. Spider-Man shook hands with Mephisto. Is it current Marvel policy that the heroes always lose?

Even when they seemingly defeat the villain or save the day, the price is always too high. I know Daredevil is Marvel's designated Dark Hero, but c'mon! It's like Matt's purpose in life is to give Peter Parker someone he can look at and say, "No matter how screwed up my life is, at least I'm not you."

I'm personally cool with villains actually coming off dominant.

For a long while villains were't dong jack. Most of the big marvel events were hero vs hero... Disassembled, House of H, Civil War, WWH, et. It's kinda nice that the villains are finally getting off their butts and making some kind of impact.

[Agent_Torpor]

I don't know about you dude, but I like my comics on time, and all these "great artists" you love so much usually can't get that done. Give any artist 3-4 months for one issue and they also can be "great." Unfortunately some are professionals, and actually meet deadlines, yet still come out with damn good art in my opinion.

He lost all cred when he dissed Lark yet had Greg Horn as one of his faves.:D

[LungerTony]

I can't believe anyone is seriously hammering away at Lark.
I don't ever recall him being late, and his art is awesome, and has a unique feel to it. Granted, it doesn't have a certain detail that some other top-notch artists have, but in his own style, he does a great job.
My first DD comic with Lark I thought it was mediocre and was not really impressed, but I've really grown an appreciation for it and do not want to see him leave the book.
Simply put, if you think Lark is so bad that he requires an online ranting, you must not read many comics or spend way too much time complaining about comic art in general.

ANYWAY, I thought the issue was amazing. It did a great job 'ending' the Mr. Fear trouble. I really dug this conclusion.

[Uproar]

Just finished reading this book and I have to say no matter how high the bar is Brubaker keeps pushing it higher, what an ending. Fear has become one fantastic villain and DD is even more tortured than before. I was amazed the arc ended this dark no great victory for Matt, no cure for Milla, Gladiator who has being one of my favourite DD supporting cast is also trapped in his psychosis he was a tragic figure before now he's completely screwed. Lark's art also was awsome dispite what Prodigy says.
All in all I can't see anything marvel is doing wrong with this book and thank God for that.

[Cash Lone]

I thought Bendis' run on DD was amazing and its a tough act to follow but theres not much in Brubakers past story arcs that intrigues me to read DD.

Lark has a cool and unique art style and that's a plus for the element of storytelling but theres something about the way Brubaker writes that bores me to tears. It's like his choice of words and plot elements are both so straightforward and dull.

I like the character of DD but this issue is my last one till Brubaker leaves. :(

[LungerTony]

Wow. I loved it. I was never a big DD fan when I was younger and when I read comics.
But since coming back to comics less than two years ago, DD is easily one of my favorite non-X characters...and that is pretty much because of Bru and Lark.

[Pyro]

A few things:

I was talking with a friend today who pointed out that Brubaker has basically treated Milla like a Woman in a Refrigerator with this arc. I'm hesitant to completely go with that description, but there is some truth to it. She is constantly put in danger for the character building of Matt. But honestly, how much else could be done with her? I'm glad I'm not a writer, because that would be hard to figure out. All that said, I think Brubaker did a good job putting her in a unique situation in this story. However, she still plays the victim.

Also, I feel bad because ever since Mr. Fear said there was no cure, my only thought has been that Reed Richards could make a cure. I guess that's the problem with having uber-geniuses around. That's not something I would want to happen and I highly doubt Brubaker would use an easy out like that, but I can't help thinking that that could solve the problem.

[LungerTony]

A few things:

I was talking with a friend today who pointed out that Brubaker has basically treated Milla like a Woman in a Refrigerator with this arc. I'm hesitant to completely go with that description, but there is some truth to it. She is constantly put in danger for the character building of Matt. But honestly, how much else could be done with her? I'm glad I'm not a writer, because that would be hard to figure out. All that said, I think Brubaker did a good job putting her in a unique situation in this story. However, she still plays the victim.

Also, I feel bad because ever since Mr. Fear said there was no cure, my only thought has been that Reed Richards could make a cure. I guess that's the problem with having uber-geniuses around. That's not something I would want to happen and I highly doubt Brubaker would use an easy out like that, but I can't help thinking that that could solve the problem.

It crossed my mind. And yeah, I suppose it does qualify as a broad interpretation of WiR. Though she did murder a guy and beat a nurse to death. So even as a broad technically WiR, I don't think she follows the exact model of what WiR people dislike to see women portrayed as.
But does that really matter?
I think people get to zealous with WiR these days.
Simply put, it was a great story, WiR or not. And I challenge any female reader or guy reader who attempts to champion what he thinks female readers want to hear to say otherwise.

[Pyro]

It crossed my mind. And yeah, I suppose it does qualify as a broad interpretation of WiR. Though she did murder a guy and beat a nurse to death. So even as a broad technically WiR, I don't think she follows the exact model of what WiR people dislike to see women portrayed as.
But does that really matter?
I think people get to zealous with WiR these days.
Simply put, it was a great story, WiR or not. And I challenge any female reader or guy reader who attempts to champion what he thinks female readers want to hear to say otherwise.My concern is not so much about the portrayal of women in this comic, but rather the portrayal of marriage. I championed this title when Joe Quesada espoused his views on Spider-Man's marriage, but now I'm finding that some of the problems Joe had with the Spidey marriage apply here as well, if not more so. She really limits story options. She'll always be in danger and there isn't much she can do about it. It will always cause a divide between her and Matt. Milla can't die. If she does, that means 5 of Matt's girlfriends have died. They could get divorced, but they already tried that and it might be treading familiar territory. I don't know. I guess just realizing that a happy relationship for Matt is impossible... (unless he marries Black Widow)

[LungerTony]

Yeah. I know I am writing off Milla as done as a legitimate character. She will either be forgotten about or killed. There really isn't much more you can do with her than to be another dead-gf, troubling notch on DD stick-weapon thing (wtf is it called again?).

[Pyro]

Yeah. I know I am writing off Milla as done as a legitimate character. She will either be forgotten about or killed. There really isn't much more you can do with her than to be another dead-gf, troubling notch on DD stick-weapon thing (wtf is it called again?).Heh heh. His billy club. I feel bad to just write Milla off, though. It was no fault of her own that her character is so limited. I don't blame the writers either. Well, maybe I blame Bendis for marrying them. I don't know. I thought the story was interesting at the time.

[LungerTony]

In the long run I think Milla is in a very difficult position. DD's identity is essentially known, and she is blind.
Unlike MJ though, she doesn't have 20+years of characterization, nor has she made her personality so intrinsically important to the lead character.
I don't like to say some characters are just unwritable, but I do think she would make things much harder to tell stories in the future (post Mr. Fear). It would become just villain after villain trying to kill blind defenseless Milla.

You never know though. The way things look now, there is a possibility she might become a villian or something else in the future...if she can find a way to overcome her blindness.

[carabas]

Heh heh. His billy club. I feel bad to just write Milla off, though. It was no fault of her own that her character is so limited. I don't blame the writers either. Well, maybe I blame Bendis for marrying them. I don't know. I thought the story was interesting at the time.I don't think she's written off.
As for the women-in-refrigerators bit, WIR is when women get picked on more often than men. Sure, Milla got it bad, but so did Foggy and even Melvin Potter. It's a bit Daredevil's shtick: any and all supporting cast members will be made to suffer horribly, regardles of gender, creed, or race.

[Gloria]

It's a bit Daredevil's shtick: any and all supporting cast members will be made to suffer horribly, regardles of gender, creed, or race.
You know that was both sad to read, but also one hell of a LMAO and, I'm afraid, a home truth relating the character. It takes nerve to be a friend of Murdock nowadays: not even Spidey is so (He excuses himself on that Mephisto thing, the coward)

I also think that Milla won't be entirely gone: she's still alive, and she could be cured at some point. Bad -and sad- as her current situation is, it is not as irreversible as Heather's, Karen's or Glorianna's.

[Retrovertigo]

Spot on issue here I thought, really made me feel bad for Matt, tbh he's f***ed right now, looking forward to seeing where Brubaker takes it and how far. Also looking forward to Rucka coming onboard for a few issues, will be cool to get another viewpoint on the Daredevil characters.

To the guy slating Lark; Lark is telling the story more than adaquately so where's the problem? It's similar to Sean Phillip's work on Criminal, yeah it's not detailed, but they both tell fantastic stories. Also, for someone who seems to be such a 'connoisseur' on comic art, how come you can't appreciate something that's a little different. Fair enough, you might have your own preferences, but there's no need to be so harsh.

[Jessica Drew]

Just finished reading this (as well as the two other Brubaker comics from this past week), and I thought this was Brubaker's best issue yet. He's crafted one helluva dark arc of situational irony: the hero saves the girl, puts the villain in jail...and in both instances, the hero loses. It's tonally appropriate, too, and Lark's moody and stylistic pencils help fit the bill.

As far as Milla and WiR go, I can definitely see one making a case against Brubaker in that regard, but I don't think that's what he's doing. Remember, Milla was a character he inherited. If he didn't want to use her for the long term--and that's a big if--then he removed her from the situation in a way that not only keeps her alive and gives another writer an in (Reed Richards/Henry Pym/Hank McCoy cure) if they want to bring her back to everyday comic-book life, but also in a way that's congruent to the Daredevil style/mythos of the past twenty years AND fits thematically with Brubaker's work in general: tragic comic book noir.

In more ways than one, Brubaker is comic's equivalent of Scorsese (though I think that this particular Daredevil arc is more of a Chinatown than it is any Scorsese movie).

[Monty_Cristo]

Yeah. I know I am writing off Milla as done as a legitimate character. She will either be forgotten about or killed. There really isn't much more you can do with her than to be another dead-gf, troubling notch on DD stick-weapon thing (wtf is it called again?).

Fisk or Hood will have her offed (or used as leverage), eventually.

[StoneGold]

Fisk or Hood will have her offed (or used as leverage), eventually.

Hood would have. Fisk... it's questionable. What with the history between Matt and Vanessa.

[prodigy]

EDIT: You almost got me here. You're just takin' the piss, right? Just tryin' to be contrary to get a rise...

Actually, no. No I'm not.

Man. You guys must be really, REALLY far gone if whenever a dude steps up and says "Brubaker blows and actually isn't a good writer" and you all think he's kidding.


Brubaker blows.

[carabas]

Man. You guys must be really, REALLY far gone if whenever a dude steps up and says "Brubaker blows and actually isn't a good writer" and you all think he's kidding.


Brubaker blows.Or, considering that you are pretty much the only person in the entire world who thinks this, your sense of taste is a bit out of whack.
Also, despite going on and on about how bad a writer Brubaker is, pretty much all of your concrete criticisms are direceted at the art team.

[Gloria]

If you think an author blows...

step 1) don't read his/her comics and donate this unspent money to a worthy cause, like the Red Cross or a lost kittens' refuge

step 2) don't spend time discussing it in boards, even if you think you have so much time in your hands that you can waste it with prodigality.

Personally i'm fortunate to have a modest budget: Thus I buy only the comics that I dig. Ah! some unfortunate people is forced to spend their money in things they don't like... Alas!

[Agent_Torpor]

Actually, no. No I'm not.

Man. You guys must be really, REALLY far gone if whenever a dude steps up and says "Brubaker blows and actually isn't a good writer" and you all think he's kidding.


Brubaker blows.

Care to explain why? Or are you just stirring up sh*t? I still think it's the latter.

Anyway, not really any skin off my back. I'm sure Bru can handle the loss of you as a devoted reader of his books. It'll be tough, but i'm sure he'll trudge onward.

[jumonji]

The funny thing is that I think I saw prodigy posting the same kinds of opinions in the thread discussing #104. I wonder what made him pick this issue up as well...

Regarding the WiR, I think there were enough clues around to suggest that Milla will be brought back at some point. For now, Brubaker needed this series of events to tell this particular story, and it's also fodder for many other stories coming up. Regarding the issue of whether she's a limited character as some have said. I agree that she hasn't had decades of history to flesh out her character, like MJ, but she is only limited to the extent that writers (and fans) treat her as such. Her blindness is not at all a limitation as far as her character is concerned (if handled correctly, I would even say the opposite), nor would that technically make her more of a victim in any way. All of Matt's other girlfriends have been sighted, and that didn't seem to stop them from getting killed. Also, if Bullseye decides to take you out, it doesn't matter if you can see or not. I see better than 20/20, I'm in decent shape, and I'm pretty sure I'd be toast.

If Brubaker and the editors had wanted to keep her around as "just" the wife, there's no reason she couldn't work in such a capacity. More work could have been spent fleshing out her character as well as the relationship. I would have been interested to learn what exactly drew them to each other, since that was never properly explained.

What I think I'm really trying to say is that supporting characters can be used to "support" the character and the book, or they can be used merely as plot devices. I think stories about a married Matt could be told without doing the damsel in distress thing (and this applies whether the wife is Milla or someone else).

[Comicsenthusiast]

I liked this storyline and the way they kindove put mister fear away but there is no doubt he will be coming back but until then they better keep up the solid comics.And why do you guys hate milla sure she has problems but she is important to matt and she puts a twist in the comics i think they should kill her off but i still enjoy the mental problems she has it twists up the storyline.