Daredevil Message Board

Acerbus · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

As a guy who works at a comic shop, I did notice that the stand-alones at the beginning and end of The Devil Takes a Ride slowed down the momentum for this comic in a big way. The Secret Life of Foggy Nelson seemed incongruous when compared to the pacing of the Devil in Cell Block D's pacing... then 'Ride was a relatively slow-moving story... it shook alot of readers.

Don't misunderstand, it's a very good arc that stands on its own merit... but considering that the two preceding arcs - The Murdock Papers and Cell Block D - had a frenetic, jarring pace, it's going to take a hit.

I also think it's a case of Brubaker not caring as much about this character as he probably should, in all candor. Compare the quality of writing on Iron Fist while Daredevil was in this lull... it's clear that while perhaps Brubaker can write several books at once, he can only write one particularly well at any given time.

Neilan · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry to keep this going. Especially after Acerbus made such a great attempt to get things back on track. That was pretty darn funny, and yet, insightful at the same time.

Murdock Bell · Flying Blind Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 87

Case in point...

rgj · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

Iron Man?

Funny though, this was Matt's train of thought when he WASN'T a lawyer. Go figure.

rgj

Stanley · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject:

Neilan · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject:

james castle · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:51 pm Post subject:

Stanley · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject:

rgj · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 11:10 pm Post subject:

You know, Matt should be ashamed of himself. How can he live with himself not "upholding" the law, I mean, being a lawyer and Daredevil, the vigilante (an unauthorized "enforcer" of the law).

Seriously, why can't he be one of those noble, law "upholding" lawyers (like O.J. Simpsons defense team, or how about that D.A. that went after the Duke lacrosse team members--or any D.A. for that matter that likes to pat his stats with death penalty corpses that get him to higher office). Matt should be ashamed of himself.

Serioulsy, look, it's all well and good that lawyers have some cute little "upholding the spirit of the law" catch phrases, but I always thought that lawyers USED the law (as opposed to "upholding"--I mean, crap, shouldn't we ALL uphold it?). I always thought the first priority of a defense attorney was his client (who is paying him, by the way) and a D.A.'s priority is "the people."

In the end, Matt's actions as a lawyer and vigilante are for the protection of the weak from the strong. Matt's internal dialogue with himself in that page is probably nothing different that other vigilantes have had (except the Punisher). The day Matt represents a client as a lawyer but, behind his back (cause he knows he's guilty), is trying to bring him down as DD will be a real example of Matt being unethical. And, he would truly not be "upholding" the spirit of his oath.

Look, we all know being a vigilante is unlawful. Yes, Matt could get disbarred and (has gone) could go to jail (just like Spidey could). But, I don't think Matt is agonizing over the hypocracy of playing both sides of the coin (like some of you are). Because, for Matt there is only one goal. Protect the innocent and the weak. Heck, the guy even saves (spares) the lives of known killers who would get the death penalty in some states. Matt's sense of justice goes beyond "the law." It goes beyond his "religion." Sure, those things are part of it, but so was his father. And the kids that bullied him. It's many things. Matt's sense of justice is trying to stop injustice. And, he'll use the law as a lawyer and enforce the law as DD.

rgj

harryhausen · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 9:17 am Post subject:

As to Acerbus’s point:

I can imagine that the stand-alone, recap issues did break the momentum. I’m a very new reader (though I read some DD in the ‘80s, he wasn’t my favorite [what was I thinking?]) – just got on board a few months ago and am working my way through the canon - reading the earliest Frank Miller stuff right now and planning to go forward from there. I did go back and get the whole Brubaker-Lark run and will say that the stand-alone issues were great for me.

I guess my point is, Marvel seems to have provided a jumping-on point (two, in fact, really) for new readers and here I am benefiting from it. Maybe in the wake of Civil War they hoped some other folks would be picking up certain titles for the first time in a while? Anyway, the momentum breakers definitely helped a new fan here.

I beg your collective forbearance while I get caught up. And for you long-time readers, it’s amazing to dig this stuff up in huge swaths and read it quick for the first time. Astonishing.

As for Iron Fist (which I haven’t yet read because it’s always sold out at my LCS – apparently Fraction used to work there or something – waiting on the TPB), I hear rumors that it’s Fraction who makes the wheels go on that one. Anyone else given to understand that? [And here we go off-topic again . . .]

Francesco · Underboss Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 1307

Neilan · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 9:58 am Post subject:

Stanley · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 10:14 am Post subject:

Murdock Bell · Flying Blind Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 87

The Message Board is currently in read-only mode, as the software is now out of date. Several features and pages have been removed. If/When I get time I intend to re-launch the board with updated software.