Daredevil #134

Title:	"There's Trouble In N.Y.C.!"
Writer:	Marv Wolfman
Penciler:	Bob Brown
Inker:	Jim Mooney
Cover:	Gil Kane/Rich Buckler
Colours:	Michele Wolfman
Letters:	Joe Rosen
Editor:	Marv Wolfman
Assistant Editor:	None
Date:	June 1976
Cover Price:	0.25

Characters

Blake Tower
Brock Jones
Chameleon
Daredevil
Heather Glenn
Lieutenant Bert Rose
Matt Murdock
Maxwell Glenn
Mr. Smythe
Mr. Stone
Torpedo II

Daredevil #133

Daredevil #135

Bob Brown
Volume 1 - 107 108 109 111 113 114 115 117 119 120 121 122 123 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 141 142 143
Volume 2 - None
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None

Gil Kane
Volume 1 - 80 81 82 84 85 88 90 91 94 95 96 97 104 109 112 114 115 116 117 119 120 121 122 124 125 126 127 128 133 134 139 141 146 147 148 150 151 152
Volume 2 - None
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None

Jim Mooney
Volume 1 - 111 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 141 142 145 146
Volume 2 - None
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None

Marv Wolfman
Volume 1 - 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 141 142 143
Volume 2 - None
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None

Rich Buckler
Volume 1 - 101 129 130 131 132 134 135 140 148
Volume 2 - None
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None

Issue Summary

Summary/Review by Robert Orme (orme@stolaf.edu)

Matt Murdock is stunned to hear a news clip proclaiming Daredevil as responsable for the senseless murder of three policemen! He forgets the sudden betrayal of his hero, however, as his relationship with Heather Glenn takes a sudden turn for the romantic.
Little does he imagine that Daredevil is innocent, and will soon be teaming up with another superhero wrongfully accused of murder! Can the two of them bring the Chameleon to justice?...or will they end up behind bars themselves?!!?

Review: A pleasant, lighthearted break before the jaw dropping, nerve-rending Jester epic in #135-7. The romantic touch with Heather is a nice treat, though the smooching is a little gooey. The return of Torpedo is a bit forced, but it's pretty cool to see him and hornhead working together for once, and the irony of it happening in the wake of our hero's "murders" is clever. The Chameleon makes a nice villian for them to pound on awhile; the way Marv has DD picking out the Chameleon out of the crowd every time using his radar sense is a clever use of DD's special senses, and the Chameleon boasting that he can take on Daredevil man-to-man on the penultimate page is a surprising touch of humor. At the same time, Marv continues to bring the epic plot of the phony newscasts to the very peak of tension before its outburst in the next issue.
The only major downfall of this issue is the art. Jim Mooney simply lacks the ability to enhance Bob Brown's generally mediocre pencils the way Klaus Janson had. Other than that, this is a decent, lighthearted issue of Daredevil for a change.

Plot/Underlying Themes:3
Portrayal and development of Daredevil as a character:3
Art:2
Overall:3

My rating system:
1 = Poor. Plot is hackneyed, simplistic, nonsensical, or some combination of the three. Underlying themes, if they exist, are completely sick and twisted. Daredevil is mis-portrayed, and the issue either shows no development of his character or develops him in a way that makes little sense. Art is terrible, actually afflicting the comic. Should be avoided, unless it serves as a link between plotlines.
2 = Weak. Plot is hackneyed, simplistic, or nonsensical. Underlying themes are absent. Daredevil is not portrayed as a unique or striking character, and the issue shows no development of his character. Art is undistinguished, adding nothing to the comic. A generally bad comic, but with a few redeeming qualities.
3 = Satisfying. The plot may or may not be simplistic, but it works. Underlying themes are either mild or absent entirely. Daredevil is portrayed convincingly, and strongly enough that you care about what happens to him. His character is not developed, but you find out something about him that you may not have known before. Art is roughly average, with little or no weak points and a few strong panels. Worth buying, but not worth seeking out.
3+ = Excellent. Similar to 3, but better.
4 = Classic. The plot is original and multi-layered, but it is the strong underlying themes that make it a great story. Daredevil is portrayed intriguingly, and his character is either fleshed-out strongly or develops in a way that adds to the story rather than to the shock value. Art is strong and unique, with the characters portrayed passionately. A highly recommended comic.
5 = Essential. The plot is original, multi-layered, and engaging. The underlying themes are shocking and unusual, seeming to blind you with truth. Daredevil is portrayed as a complex, multi-faceted character; the comic is worth buying solely for a chance to truly see Daredevil. His personality is fleshed out and develops in a way that adds to the story rather than to the shock value. Art is powerful without being glossy, leaning towards the realistic touch that is the mark of a good DD comic. If you are a true DD fan, the only excuse for not buying this comic is not being able to find it.