Daredevil #110

[Pixie_Solanas]

So, yeah, it was a nice little procedural drama. However, I didn't get enough of a visceral kick at the end when we're presented with who's framing Big Ben Donovan. All of that buildup for this? Meeeeeehhh.

Anyway, I kinda am looking forward to Lady Bullseye (horrible moniker aside), as it's high time that Matt Murdock drops the Law & Order, "Gotham Central" schtick and gets back to fightin' some baddies (and not the boring Eric Slaughter types).

[drwho]

I really cant wait till this storyline is over so I can hop back on because i cant see myself buying a book with a lady bullseye appearing in it.

[Pixie_Solanas]

I really cant wait till this storyline is over so I can hop back on because i cant see myself buying a book with a lady bullseye appearing in it.

It just has to be better than the most recent arc.

I find it hard to believe that the craftsman behind Captain America and GREG RUCKA helping out couldn't hammer out a more gripping script.

[Splatt]

I thought this was a nice, little arc. Little victories for DD/Matt Murdock every once in a while are good for him and the readers.

Now, march on Lady Bullseye!

[claimtosubclaim]

It just has to be better than the most recent arc.

I find it hard to believe that the craftsman behind Captain America and GREG RUCKA helping out couldn't hammer out a more gripping script.

As a huge fan of The Wire, and noting that show's influence on Brubaker, this was actually my favorite DD arc by Bru since The Devil on Cell-Block D. Not every reveal has to be a left field shocker. Some stories are just fine playing out to their logical conclusion, and this was one of those stories. If it had been some big-time villain or somebody with a huge chip on their shoulder, I would've been sorely disappointed because that would be redundant, especially given that

a.) those two examples are basically what happened over the last few DD arcs, and
b.) Bendis and Bru have been trying to root this book in street and government-based crime.

I guess some people find the 24 style to be gripping, while others find The Wire style to be gripping. I'm the latter.

[Pixie_Solanas]

As a huge fan of The Wire, and noting that show's influence on Brubaker, this was actually my favorite DD arc by Bru since The Devil on Cell-Block D. Not every reveal has to be a left field shocker. Some stories are just fine playing out to their logical conclusion, and this was one of those stories. If it had been some big-time villain or somebody with a huge chip on their shoulder, I would've been sorely disappointed because that would be redundant, especially given that

a.) those two examples are basically what happened over the last few DD arcs, and
b.) Bendis and Bru have been trying to root this book in street and government-based crime.

I guess some people find the 24 style to be gripping, while others find The Wire style to be gripping. I'm the latter.

There's nothing at all wrong with street-based crime and keeping the book at that level. Bendis played it masterfully, and Bru had one of the greatest arcs ever with the Cell Block D story. But this had a paper thin premise, no easily-sympathetic characters, and no readily-clear motive for any of them. A government cover-up to protect their inside interests on the docks, as represented by Slaughter and his goons? Ooooohh-kay. And this was important enough to frame an innocent man for a murder (a murder that wasn't really explained anyway, as someone did wrong to Slaughter? Yeah? That warranted repercussions on the guy's kids? What did he do? Never explained). Neither was how Donovan's kid got mixed up in this and how he became bait for Donovan to play along with the setup. And then the whole inclusion of Sam North - essentially just to personify Matt's own doubts about his inability to protect those close to him? Needed that one banged over our head more, thanks, esp. after the Milla drama we were all a bit stretched thin over...

Basically, I didn't need it to be some super criminal or mysterious personage pulling the strings until the fateful reveal in the final issue. I just wanted a wrap-up that didn't feel rushed, and gave me a bit more to care about what I just invested over the past few issues.

[claimtosubclaim]

It made me care about Dakota North and her dad. That's all I need to know.

[Sion]

I disagree.

I enjoyed this arc so much in so many levels.

Only 4 replies by the way? This book is definetely not getting the attention it rightfully deserves.

[BigBoss]

There's nothing at all wrong with street-based crime and keeping the book at that level. Bendis played it masterfully, and Bru had one of the greatest arcs ever with the Cell Block D story. But this had a paper thin premise, no easily-sympathetic characters, and no readily-clear motive for any of them. A government cover-up to protect their inside interests on the docks, as represented by Slaughter and his goons? Ooooohh-kay. And this was important enough to frame an innocent man for a murder (a murder that wasn't really explained anyway, as someone did wrong to Slaughter? Yeah? That warranted repercussions on the guy's kids? What did he do? Never explained). Neither was how Donovan's kid got mixed up in this and how he became bait for Donovan to play along with the setup. And then the whole inclusion of Sam North - essentially just to personify Matt's own doubts about his inability to protect those close to him? Needed that one banged over our head more, thanks, esp. after the Milla drama we were all a bit stretched thin over...

Basically, I didn't need it to be some super criminal or mysterious personage pulling the strings until the fateful reveal in the final issue. I just wanted a wrap-up that didn't feel rushed, and gave me a bit more to care about what I just invested over the past few issues.

I was wondering if Maybe I needed to just reread the book but I never really understood thier reasons that made me a little mad.

[B. Kuwanger]

I agree with Torpor. Bru's run has been pretty good in general, but in order to be the O'Neil run to Bendis's Miller run, it needs a shot of adrenalin.

[Pyro]

I thought this issue had a lot of good moments, but I have to say, it felt like a bit of an anti-climax. The mystery unfolded a bit uninterestingly with Daredevil finding a guy, punching him up and getting the necessary information. DD intimidating and interrogating thugs (even government ones) is nothing new and should not be the "pay-off" of an arc.

Still, a lot of individual scenes packed a punch. The opening scene where DD was escaping and the panels in between of the people trying to save Dakota were very tense and exciting for me and the art there was really dynamic. I liked seeing Becky tell Matt to shove his self-absorbed guilt. Dakota saying, "You're welcome" after Matt left the room, but knowing he could still hear it was a very cool moment.

[phantom1592]

I enjoyed the IDEA behind this story. Finally, since before Bendis took over, we actually get to see Matt being a HERO again. This whole story has been about Matt fighting the good fight simply because it was the RIGHT thing to do.

He believes in Justice, and an Innocent man does not die on his watch. Period. He wasn't protecting his secrets, defending his friends or getting revenge against people who wronged him... It was just the right thing to do.

I Loved it.

It took Bendis Five years to destroy the character I loved, and Brubaker has been steadily trying to "fix" him, and finally this story brings us back full Circle. Daredevil is a hero again. :)

[Pixie_Solanas]

I disagree.

I enjoyed this arc so much in so many levels.

Only 4 replies by the way? This book is definetely not getting the attention it rightfully deserves.

Or maybe we've been spoiled by much better arcs in the past?

The motives just weren't there for me.

[Sion]

Or maybe we've been spoiled by much better arcs in the past?

The motives just weren't there for me.

Even then, it was miles ahead of most of the stuff put out this week.

[TysonSL]

I enjoyed this storyline, but it was a massive change of pace for DD in recent months, so I can see why there is such a divide here. When I heard Rucka was teaming up with Ed I was so excited, and this really didn't live up to expectations. However, that's because my expectations were so high. I've bought this book since issue 26 and (with the exception of Mack's "Vision Quest", I've loved every minute of it. This is just one of the throw away stories we get from time to time, which is fine.

I did love the opening scenes, splitting between Matt and Dakota being treated; very tense. Also, it has made me care more about her character more and her relationship with her dad. And if I know Brubaker, we will see more of this relationship now it has been established.

[C.O. Jones]

Still the most consistently well-written hero book of the 21st century.

I think the ending scene was only the 2nd time ever (from Bendis to Brubaker) that I've witnessed something actually taking place during daytime...!

[Darth Pipes]

Things might have been solved a little too quickly but I enjoyed it. It's nice to see things end on a ligther tone, with Matt being the hero. It's good to break up the angst once in a while.

[edhopper]

I really liked it too. More than the open ended finale to the Mr Fear arc.
Especially the line from Becky to Matt. "Not everything's about you!".
Sums up the arc and why it worked for me.

[Omega Alpha]

I enjoyed this arc a lot, specially the quieter and more down-to-Earth tone of it.

[mono]

Late to the party, but I really dug this entire arc. Anyone else aware of the obvious inspiration for the Slaughter involvement?

Talking 'real life' here, back in the day 'Lucky' Luciano was imprisoned until he was cut a mysterious deal by the Feds and freed/deported to Italy. As it happens, the navy was losing a lot to ships to sabotage, and it was suspected the Germans had men on the docks responsible. The feds cut a deal w/ the mob, after Luciano and Meyer Lansky gave the OK, to have their men on the docks keep an eye on things. It actually worked, and they caught a bunch of guys who'd been scuttling Navy ships. It was a pretty interesting deal between the mob and Uncle Sam, and very cool to see a parallel played out in the pages of Daredevil. Of course, this time, instead of German spies, we're on the lookout for terrorists, but a great idea. Kudos to Bru and Rucka for a great story.