Daredevil 83: The Devil in Cell Block D...

[fajrdrako]

I'm not watching much TV these days, or going to movies. But I'm really excited about the current comic books coming out. So far, Marvel's Civil War storyline is living up to its advance publicity and more; I've seldom enjoyed Spider-Man stories as much as lately. I'm suddenly a fan of characters I've ignored for years (like Iron Man or Doctor Strange), Fantastic Four has had a renaissance, and there are great new titles and revivals like Young Avengers and The New Avengers and Moon Knight and X-Factor to look forward to - I'm having a wonderful time.

But the best of all is Daredevil. It has been for a long time. Brian Michael Bendis was writing it - writing it like a novel, with a twisty storyline, strong characterization, dramatic changes in the hero's life, and unexpected climaxes. Bendis is a hard act to follow.

Now Ed Brubaker is writing the comic and it's as strong as ever - how does he do that? Matt Murdock's life has been on a downward slide to hell for a long time; he lost his wife, his reputation, his legal practice, and his freedom. And now he has lost...

His best friend.

At the end of last issue (#82), Matt's long-time legal partner Foggy Nelson had visited him on prison. On leaving, he was beaten to a pulp by villains. Issue 83 begins with Foggy's funeral.

What, did I miss something? I asked myself. No. Foggy died in the ambulance, offstage.

"I actually fear for him," muses Ben Urich. "For what this will do to him." Yeah, me too. Matt Murdock doesn't have much to lose any more - "Who do you think I am?" he asks a villain who was stupid enough to walk into his cell. He has been denying he was Daredevil from the beginning. Has he found himself, or simply lost his mind?

Looking forward to #84.