New Avengers 5 and Daredevil 72, or, How I Learned to Love the Bendis

[Nate C.]

My hatred for Bendis is mythic in scope. Check my very first thread on CBR. Check out my earliest posts. (Skip all the religious stuff and stupid ebay stuff). I hate what he has done with DD and I hate what he did on Avengers and I hated his stint on Ultimate X-Men, so for me, he was 0-3 in a big, big way. I hated his heavy handed use of dialogue, his fall-back pattern of all-sounds-the-same-dialogue, his decompression, his lack of excitement, and his unmasking of Matt in DD and his killing off so many good characters.

So what's my point? Bendis won my heart with DD72 and NA 5 and I thought I would give public credit where credit is due.

SPOILERS********SPOILERS******SPOILERS********

DareDevil 72-

We all know how hard it is to put the genie back in the bottle once he's out. Well, Bendis' big genie was outing Matt as Daredevil. And none of it made sense for me, but Bendis made a huge bonus point with me, when he explained in 72 that the reason why no one would ever convict or arrest or prosecute or even admit publicly that Matt Murdock was Daredevil because if they did, the fact that the very attorney who put some of those bad guys in prison (forget that Murdock is a private defender, not a public prosecutor, let's just assume Matt indirectly got these guys put away) was also an unlawful vigilante.

Here's where it gets good. The FBI couldn't allow such a reality to become known and followed through with. They couldn't risk the public outcry, the ACLU attorneys, the backlash, the reprisals, etc. So the FBI KNOWS that Matt is Daredevil, but because admitting it and bringing him in would mean that Matt's legal career would destroy thousands of legal cases that would then be overturned, the FBI keeps quite.

Brilliant. It plays on America's distrust of the FBI, taps into primal conspiracy theories, and most importantly, is just a good old fashioned common sense reason why Matt walks free. Plausible and Beautiful.

Who saved Matt from being turned in as Daredevil and his life going to crap?

The FBI.

Why?

Because of Matt, the attorney. Checkmate. I salute you, Bendis.

Also, I like the model he's chosen for this last arc (Decalougue, told through third person perspective, very Eisneresque and nice), and I haven't liked Bendis' models for arcs yet.

New Avengers 5:

Nothing earth shattering on this one. I just thought NA was gonna be a greasy dog turd, and it's not. It's far from it.

Interesting group dynamic.
New beginning.
Interesting Plot Device. (Breakout on the Rock)
Balance between dialogue and story, and action and violence. (Yeah!)
Distinct characters.
Sub-plot and intrigue. (Is she, isn't she?)

The only thing I don't really like is how obvious Bendis is with his choices. He chose characters he was comfortable with. Time to strech. Other than that, I can give no higher praise to Bendis than this:

Fan Boy's Wet Dream fulfilled- Spidey is an Avenger.
And, It's the first book I read in my stack of monthly books.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Nolj, old bean, I'll have to disagree with you, a bit. I don't read DD, so I'll skip to New Avengers. While I have liked some of the dialogue (particularly, the interplay between Luke Cage and Spidey), New Avengers has been dreadfully slow IMO.

I know you are as much a Spidey geek as I am, and although I'm not crazy about Spider-man being in the Avengers, I've got to admit that Bendis has made it work better than I thought he would. I also like the fact that he brought back Jessica Drew. Although I liked the Julia Carpenter character, Jessica has always been by far the best Spider-woman. It wouldn't be the Avengers without Cap and Iron Man, so I'm good there, too. Wolverine, eh. I actually am not as up in arms about that as some people.

But, Geez Louise, here we are at issue 5, Sentry has yet to really be part of the book, the mystery Avenger (got to be DD, right?) isn't here yet and, really, the "origin" story is still ongoing. I'm going to give it some more time, particularly since I'm curious to see how he works Sentry in and want to see who the Mystery Avenger is (and, OK, I'm a diehard Avengers fan, too), but boy, I'd like to see Bendis pick up the pace a little bit.

[Nate C.]

Doc-Scott,

I can't explain it. It's emotional, not cerebral. I get what you're saying, and my natural inclination is to bash Bendis, but even though the story is a little slow (and that is a huge compliment for me-God, I hated Bendis), I am having a lot of fun. That's all I know. I know it's going to take him 12 issues just to establish the team, and I'm still ok with it. Enjoying the journey.

It's inexplicable for me. But I understand if you're unhappy. I just don't understand why I'm so happy.

But man, that Spec 27 was touching, heh?

And what do you think, Barrister, with his putting the genie back in the bottle in DD?

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Doc-Scott,

I can't explain it. It's emotional, not cerebral. I get what you're saying, and my natural inclination is to bash Bendis, but even though the story is a little slow (and that is a huge compliment for me-God, I hated Bendis), I am having a lot of fun. That's all I know. I know it's going to take him 12 issues just to establish the team, and I'm still ok with it. Enjoying the journey.

It's inexplicable for me. But I understand if you're unhappy. I just don't understand why I'm so happy.

But man, that Spec 27 was touching, heh?

And what do you think, Barrister, with his putting the genie back in the bottle in DD?


I guess "unhappy" is probably an overstatement. I'm just not thrilled with New Avengers. I'll give it time. Maybe after the first year, things will pick up.

As for DD, I think that's intriguing. I don't read DD, but maybe I'll pick it up. From your description, I think it's perfectly plausible and an ingenious way to go.

As for Matt being a public defender, I think it puts the government in the same kind of bind as if he were a prosecutor. Look at it this way: if it were revealed that Matt is DD, all those clients he defended that ended up getting convicted would automatically appeal. On what grounds? Well, first thing I'd say is that there's an inherent conflict of interest between Matt's work as an attorney and his actions aiding law enforcement. That conflict was not disclosed to the client and therefore, Matt's representation is tainted by that undisclosed conflict. And, if Matt represented someone who DD actually brought in, well, then the conflict is a slam dunk....

Secondly, one could argue that Matt's time spent galavanting around in his longjohns rendered his assistance ineffective (since he probably was running on no sleep and/or nursing his wounds half the time he was in court). Harder to prove, especially if there's not underlying flaw that's revealed in the trial transcipt.

There's probably more there, but that's what leaps to mind. Anyway, you get the idea. Now, considering that Matt has probably been a public defender/criminal defense attorney for, what 8 to 10 years? Think of how many guys he represented and how many appeals that would be. I think it's certainly plausible that some elements of the government might want to head that off at the pass (although there is currently a much bigger crisis at the federal level due to the Booker opinion, but that's a whole 'nother can of worms).

[Nate C.]

As for DD, I think that's intriguing. I don't read DD, but maybe I'll pick it up. From your description, I think it's perfectly plausible and an ingenious way to go.

As for Matt being a public defender, I think it puts the government in the same kind of bind as if he were a prosecutor. Look at it this way: if it were revealed that Matt is DD, all those clients he defended that ended up getting convicted would automatically appeal. On what grounds? Well, first thing I'd say is that there's an inherent conflict of interest between Matt's work as an attorney and his actions aiding law enforcement. That conflict was not disclosed to the client and therefore, Matt's representation is tainted by that undisclosed conflict. And, if Matt represented someone who DD actually brought in, well, then the conflict is a slam dunk....

Secondly, one could argue that Matt's time spent galavanting around in his longjohns rendered his assistance ineffective (since he probably was running on no sleep and/or nursing his wounds half the time he was in court). Harder to prove, especially if there's not underlying flaw that's revealed in the trial transcipt.

There's probably more there, but that's what leaps to mind. Anyway, you get the idea. Now, considering that Matt has probably been a public defender/criminal defense attorney for, what 8 to 10 years? Think of how many guys he represented and how many appeals that would be. I think it's certainly plausible that some elements of the government might want to head that off at the pass (although there is currently a much bigger crisis at the federal level due to the Booker opinion, but that's a whole 'nother can of worms).

"Right" to everything you said. I've seen a lot of writers try to sweep up on their way out the door (what to do about Matt's exposed identity) but, man, I just thought that was a brilliant explanation. Matt's identity is an even bigger mess to the Federal Government and New York City than it is to Matt.

That's good writing.

[Hombre]

I thought DD 72 was a good issue in and of itself, a father putting the ghosts of his own childhood to rest and some brisk and convincing scenes in a mob hideout - no DD, natch.

When the hoods talk about the end of supersizing, it feels natural and, hence, it's funny.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I thought DD 72 was a good issue in and of itself, a father putting the ghosts of his own childhood to rest and some brisk and convincing scenes in a mob hideout - no DD, natch.

When the hoods talk about the end of supersizing, it feels natural and, hence, it's funny.

What's the big idea of intruding on this private conversation between me and Nate, Hombre? (KIDDING! :) )

So, like I said, I haven't been reading DD lately. It sounds kind of good. Where's a reasonable place to start, so I don't have to buy a couple years worth of back issues?

[Gaz]

What's the big idea of intruding on this private conversation between me and Nate, Hombre? (KIDDING! :) )

So, like I said, I haven't been reading DD lately. It sounds kind of good. Where's a reasonable place to start, so I don't have to buy a couple years worth of back issues?
The start of "Decalogue" probably, they have the Commandments on the covers...

[Hombre]

So, like I said, I haven't been reading DD lately. It sounds kind of good. Where's a reasonable place to start, so I don't have to buy a couple years worth of back issues?

I'm not a big fan of Bendis' Daredevil, though it has had its moments. Issues 26 through 40 were possibly the best, even though they saw the tragic, and poignant, end of the original White Tiger, Hector Ayala.

I'm really more of a fan of the character himself, and of his supporting cast, so I suggest you invest in Essential DD 3 coming out in August and enjoy or re-enjoy those issues.

[jackalope]

Decalogue is one of the most interesting things I've read all year. It's not exciting, but quite intriguing. I can't wait to see how the other commandments are portrayed. I also like how all of the commandments get sort of perverted by the substitution of Daredevil for God. Honor your parents by blowing up their associates? Okay.

I for one generally prefer the "decompressed" style that Bendis is famous for. Sometimes (the recent "Hobgoblin" storyline in USM) it's a bit too much, but I like character development and naturally developed character motivations, and those elements tend to be lacking from the "compressed" style, which is generally driven by plot and appeals to the Gee Whiz factor.

Oh, and you and I like New Avengers for the same reasons. Though yeah, I agree that Bendis is being a bit lazy with his choice of team members (I also get the feeling he doesn't know how to write Tony Stark, who comes off a but too Ultimate Iron Man for my tastes). But hey, it works.

[Nate C.]

What's the big idea of intruding on this private conversation between me and Nate, Hombre? (KIDDING! :) )

So, like I said, I haven't been reading DD lately. It sounds kind of good. Where's a reasonable place to start, so I don't have to buy a couple years worth of back issues?

Well, with DD you start with Miller, but if you're looking for Bendis, do what Gaz said and pick up the last two issues.

I have not been kind to Mr. Bendis on this board, but then, I feel that Bendis has not been kind to hornhead. All in all, I am pleased with this arc. And since I, a Bendis hater, like it, I would reccomend it.

(and it's kindof a review of his year as Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen) which is nice for jumping in.

Jackalope- odd that you say that about the "honor your father and mother"- I thought it was in reference to his affections for Foggy (the only family he has). Ambiguity in fiction strikes again.