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DD Book Club - The Trial of Mr. Hyde
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Daredevil Vol. 1 #355 - Trial by Fire!



Quote:
Rosalind wants her new law partner Matt Murdock to defend Mr. Hyde against a murder rap; After a blazing battle with Pyro where he learns that Hyde is innocent of the crime, DD agrees to take the case.


Due 6/24
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I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons


Last edited by Mike Murdock on Sat Jul 08, 2017 2:36 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Dimetre
Underboss


Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 1366
Location: Toronto

PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 2:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is a definite step up from the last issue with "Spidey."

Matt faces a compelling ethical dilemma. He knows that Hyde hasn't paid an adequate price for his past crimes, but he is supposed to defend him for a crime of which he's innocent. Should he do it?

The opening scene in Hyde's jail cell features some great use of shadow by Cary Nord. Hyde looks strong enough to snap his chains and bust out of his cell, so I'm wondering why he doesn't. It's kind of chilling that he admits that he was planning on killing Angela Parish, but he hadn't gotten around to it before someone else did. It really makes one question whether he's worth defending.

That's what makes Foggy and Karen's exchange in the following scene hit so hard.
Quote:
Foggy: And what about your father Matt? You became a lawyer because of him... In his memory shouldn't you uphold your oath to the law? Isn't that what would make him proud of his son?

Karen: You thinking of someone else, Foggy? Matt's dad would've never wanted him to set a known killer free! Personally -- I'm sick of technicalities! I want Hyde to pay for his crimes! I want justice!


Of course, Karen is speaking for a large quantity of the readership. However, what Matt says next is perfectly in keeping with his character.

Quote:
Without the law there is no justice, Karen! There's only the jungle.


While the jungle line reeks of melodrama, Matt has always upheld the law, because he knows that is the best way to ensure that justice is met.

While I am very puzzled why Cary Nord can't draw an entire issue, I was very pleased to see that the Matt/Foggy/Karen/Liz scene was pencilled by Steve Epting, who is one of my favourite artists ever. I had no idea he worked on Daredevil. This doesn't match the heights he hit on Captain America or Velvet, but it's still excellent.

The battle with Pyro was meh. I challenge anyone to read those pages and figure out why Matt isn't getting burned, or at least coughing. To this story's credit, it makes sense that whoever did kill Angela Parish would hire Pyro to destroy evidence. And it's in this scene that Matt becomes convinced that Hyde isn't the murderer. I just wish the fight was more interesting. Pyro is a very powerful mutant, and Matt should be at his wit's end figuring out how to take him down. Kesel doesn't make Matt seem very worried. Oh well, it's leagues better than the Shotgun fight in the previous issue.

While it's very annoying that Kesel is still keeping Foggy and Razor's history a mystery three issues into his run, this issue ends strongly with Matt committed to defending Hyde as his client.

Matt went through a somewhat compelling journey with his ethics in this issue. There was strong artwork from Nord and Epting. Kesel laid the fire puns on a little too thick during the Pyro fight. (Batman and Robin, complete with Schwarzenegger's ice puns, would come out the following year. What was up with puns in the late 90s?) But overall, I thought this issue was pretty good. Not great, but good. I give it a three and a half out of five.
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is a much improved issue.

I love the opening. I love how creepy and vile Mr. Hyde is. I love that last shot of the first scene with Matt in shadows saying "you're a lot of things, but you're far from innocent." I think it's a strong start to this story. Matt's lie detector thing puts them in a bit of a bind. To a degree, they hedge about whether Hyde could beat it. I would argue that Matt's feelings about him are preventing him from trusting his senses. But, more importantly, they decide to focus on the moral ambiguity of it. Why would you want to help him? The argument between Matt, Foggy, and Karen is great. Matt doesn't want to defend Hyde. Foggy is arguing in favor of it (although his views involving Sharpe seem compromised) and Karen is flat out opposed. It's actually Karen's opposition that seems to push him to defending the idea of giving even the worst a good defense, even if he's not ready to commit yet.

I also thought the action sequences were much improved from last issue. There were some intense moments and some clever moments. While DD doesn't have to fight superpowered villains at all, his fight against Pyro was far more compelling than his teamup against a nobody. Obviously, fire is fire, but Pyro is just a man and I thought it struck the right balance. Yeah, is Matt drawn literally in the middle of flames without being harmed? Sure. I also don't really love his jokes. I'm not sure the right balance, but I do think it's fair to say that his thoughts are more serious than what he says. But I thought it was a much more interesting fight.

Four and a Half Stars.
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I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Sun Jun 25, 2017 10:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Daredevil Vol. 1 #356 - Burden of Proof



Quote:
Matt and Foggy begin to prepare their defense of Mr. Hyde as they move into their new offices


Due 7/1
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Matt Murdock's cooler twin brother

Not sure what to read next? Check out the Book Club for some ideas!

I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons


Last edited by Mike Murdock on Sat Jul 08, 2017 2:35 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Dimetre
Underboss


Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 1366
Location: Toronto

PostPosted: Sun Jun 25, 2017 2:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This issue has a pretty interesting looking cover, but after having just finished reading it, I can't, for the life of me, figure out why they used it? It's this issue's cliffhanger, for crying out loud. Wouldn't it have made sense for this issue to have #357's cover, showing Daredevil against the Enforcers, and for that issue to have this issue's cover, as nice as it is?

Again, I am bewildered as to why Cary Nord can't draw an entire issue, more so now than ever before, because I think Rick Leonardi tops him this issue. There's just something more fluid and slick about Leonardi's artwork, and when Nord's art suddenly returns (in the middle of a fight against the Enforcers), the effect is jarring.

The big guest star this issue is Misty Knight, whose office is in the same building as Sharpe, Nelson and Murdock. She's a very cool character, although I haven't read too many stories with her. I think the only other story I read with her was Jimmy Palmiotti's awful tale in Daredevil: Dark Nights. I wonder why writers like to have her and Matt flirt with each other?

Razor Sharpe is again set up as a truly awful person. Apparently she does background checks on her partners, which makes sense. I wonder what she thought when she found out Matt faked his death?

Sharpe also thinks Liz Allen's statement about Osborne warehouses having secret entrances and exits means Hyde will be acquitted. That's awfully presumptuous, but I guess that's consistent with her character (for the short time she was around by this time). At least that gives Daredevil and Misty something to check out.

Now, I never knew that Cobra was coated in a silicon compound before. The only appearances I'm familiar with are those in the sixties drawn by Gene Colan, and I don't think silicon was mentioned. So I didn't follow Daredevil's train of thought which led him to Cobra.

This is a fun issue. The fight against the Enforcers is a good one. They seem to be putting Daredevil through his paces in a believable way. Misty was cool to see. My only gripes are the choice of cover, and I think it would have been a step up if Leonardi had drawn the entire issue. Honestly, why keep Nord on the book if he can't draw an entire issue?

3.5 out of 5.
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 7:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good opening. I always like when a story starts in media res and then flashes back to show how they got there. I also love the drama of dealing with Mr. Hyde. Each moment never fails to make my skin crawl. A lot more time this issue is devoted to exploring Rosalind Sharpe and her support staff. I like that time is given to these supporting characters, who could make for fun additions I also like it continues the exploration of whether it's worth defending Mr. Hyde. In this case, there's someone whose sister was killed by a drunk driver who had previously been acquitted with the help of Ms. Sharpe.

I love the introduction of Misty Knight and was caught by surprise with the page turn (which is impressive since I've read this issue before). I like the description of Matt's senses as he finds the secret passage and starts to explore it. I like how it cycles through suspects. I guess my only real complaint is the answer is on the cover. Overall, this is still a fun, upbeat story that doesn't drag.

Four Stars.
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Matt Murdock's cooler twin brother

Not sure what to read next? Check out the Book Club for some ideas!

I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 10:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Daredevil Vol. 1 #357 - Crime and Punishment



Quote:
DD is supposed to be in court defending Mr. Hyde but he has been captured by the Enforcers who are putting him through his paces


Due 7/8
_________________
Matt Murdock's cooler twin brother

Not sure what to read next? Check out the Book Club for some ideas!

I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons


Last edited by Mike Murdock on Sat Jul 08, 2017 2:31 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Dimetre
Underboss


Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 1366
Location: Toronto

PostPosted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So the Trial of Mr. Hyde comes to an end with this issue. Oddly, the actual trial didn't begin until this issue, and it seems that the trial lasted exactly a single day. At least it went past lunch.

As I typed before, this issue's cover would have been a better fit for the previous issue -- not that this is a great cover. The Enforcers aren't exactly A-list villains, so it's not like this cover is going to leap off the stands.

Mr. Hyde is such a reprehensible being, so Foggy is definitely in a bad situation being the sole defence attorney in court. I prefer Foggy being portrayed as a more confident and competent lawyer, but he does stand up for himself later in the issue, and that's great.

While the Enforcers are usually baddies Daredevil can easily handle, Kesel and Nord showed them to be legitimate threats to him the past couple of issues. They completely have him at their mercy. Sure, he taunts each of them, but he is taking serious beatings. A lesser man would have died.

I didn't believe Daredevil would have brought up his father's name to Hammer. I don't think the general public in the Marvel Universe remembers Jack Murdock, and even in boxing circles, I don't know if Daredevil's dad was that well-respected. It seems a somewhat risky move for Daredevil to speak that name.

I also wasn't that pleased to see Matt jam his shoulder into Fancy Dan's groin. I know that Daredevil had limited options at the time, but he is one of the more graceful fighters in the Marvel Universe, and it was that grace that first made me a fan of the character. Shoulder to the groin is not why I read Daredevil. Maybe Kesel thinks it's funny. I don't know.

Kesel seems to want us to wonder if Karen is returning to porn. She has dialogue like, "'Course, he might be too thrilled with what I'm doing either. First night wasn't bad, but I don't know if I can keep this up... So exhausted! And it's only a matter of time before Matt hears about Paige Angel!" Those are lines aimed to mislead us. It reminds me of something Jack Tripper would overhear Chrissy saying in another room in an episode of Three's Company, setting off an entire episode of wacky hijinks. It's not the worst thing in the world, but it does feel cheap.

So it was the Eel who killed Angela Parish. Daredevil asks him why. The Eel doesn't explain why he killed her, and that's too bad. It's kind of neat that the killer is the Eel, but we're missing the motive, and that's a big thing to be missing from the revelation.

I would have preferred if Daredevil had finished freeing himself, instead of Misty conveniently returning to break the chain. She only appears on a single page in this book.

My favourite part of this issue was Daredevil chasing after the Eel. Kesel did a great job describing how wiped out Matt was after all that torture. After the Eel shocks him, Nord draws a panel showing Matt doubled over with blood dripping from his mouth. Matt is total vulnerable, but he doesn't give up. While the way Daredevil takes out the Eel isn't the greatest, it'll do.

I'm sure the way the trial ends is infuriatingly stupid to the lawyers on this message board. I still love how Foggy stood up for himself, before Daredevil saunters into the courtroom with no regard for procedure.

Matt got some good shots in at Razor's expense. Kesel has come up with an interesting dynamic between Matt and Rosalind.

I also liked that final scene with Daredevil and Hyde. Matt is taking responsibility for Hyde walking free, and he's not going to forget about him.

Is Karen bothered by the fact that she's working in radio, or is Karen bothered by working at a station run by Wilson Fisk? Is she aware it's run by Wilson Fisk? Is that why she's not telling Matt? So many questions.

Anyway, it's a pretty good issue. The Enforcers are at their best, and make this issue worth reading. The legal section of the story is ridiculous, but Daredevil overcomes a lot in this issue, and those stories are always gold. I give this issue 3.5 out of five. As for the whole story, the issue with Spider-Man was awful, but the rest was pretty good. I give the whole story a 3 out of 5.[/b]
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
Posts: 1750

PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2017 6:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The issue starts with Matt kidnapped by the Enforcers, but the trial must go on. The Enforcers have apparently expanded their membership. I've always thought of them as Montana, Fancy Dan, and the Ox. Apparently, they also have two new members: Hammer Harrison and Snake Marston. Confusingly, Snake Marston is apparently not Snake Marston at all, but the Eel. Not that Karl Kesel ever has a shortage of humor, but I love the way he has Hammer talk. Ya ask the Hammer, he says, he coulda been a contender. Kesel is borrowing from the Frank Miller Daredevil book that funny gangsters make the best gangsters.

This levity is paralleled with the trial, which talks about the death of the poor girl in some detail. Mr. Hyde's outbursts help lighten the mood a little bit, but also seem to show that he's his own worst enemy. Even when he's right, he makes himself look more guilty. There's some solid fights mixed with humor with the Enforcers and the Eel fighting and it's good to see Misty return. I like seeing Foggy stand up for Matt in spite of being put in a precarious position.

I think a sucker for legal dramas like myself would probably be upset that the whole thing is resolved by Daredevil bursting into the courtroom. It seems like this was a story built around reasonable doubt and not costumed heroics. The whole premise from the first issue of moral gray areas (where you could show Mr. Hyde is innocent by bringing up doubts in his case, while still having doubts about those doubts yourself) seems washed away with the bad guy being dumped at the Judge's feet to confess. That being said, it fits this issue, which is Daredevil as James Bond more than Perry Mason. I'd also argue the story had gone on long enough and needed a rapid end.

But I do love the little aftermath. I love that the couple from the first story are called in to do a favor. Basically, even though Mr. Hyde was set free, Daredevil is making sure everyone is watching him (I also like that the couple were totally terrified and probably aren't going to actually follow him very much). It's a good way to have his cake and eat it too.

Four Stars.

There are a lot of legal nitpicks and I feel like making them. If that isn't for you, I put it at the end so it's easy to skip. The case is stled as Hyde v. the State of New York. If Mr. Hyde were convicted and able to appeal his case all the way to the United States Supreme Court, it would be styled that way. However, when he is the defendant, his name is second and the prosecutors like to say they're bringing the case in the name of the people, so it would be styled as "The People v. Hyde." Or, I suspect, "The People v. Calvin Zabo." This is a closed courtroom. Now I suppose that's theoretically possible, but it's highly unlikely. The defendant has a right to a public trial and the public also have a right to a public trial. There would have to be exceptional circumstances to keep them out. It's also a little odd to even mention that it's a closed courtroom. Also, who are those two people in the audience anyway? I wonder if Cary Nord didn't feel like filling the crowd full of people and Kesel had to explain why that was. Mr. Hyde's outbursts raise another legal issue: what happens if a defendant keeps interrupting the proceedings? Well, a Judge has a couple options, including removing him from the courtroom and having him gagged and bound while in the courtroom. Fun stuff! I'm curious what the appropriate reaction would be when a costumed superhero dumps a bad guy into the courtroom. Normally, I'd say there might be grounds for a mistrial, but I don't think the jury necessarily saw that. Foggy's speech seems like something that would have happened before they returned from lunch. Rosalind's comment that "a dismissal is as good as an acquittal" is correct. Functionally, there's essentially no difference since Double Jeopardy would prevent a retrial. Particularly here where it seems it was dismissed due to a belief the person is not guilty.
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I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons
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Mike Murdock
Golden Age


Joined: 08 Sep 2014
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 9:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dimetre wrote:

So it was the Eel who killed Angela Parish. Daredevil asks him why. The Eel doesn't explain why he killed her, and that's too bad. It's kind of neat that the killer is the Eel, but we're missing the motive, and that's a big thing to be missing from the revelation.


I got the impression that she was killed solely to frame Mr. Hyde. That it wasn't even about her, she was just a casualty in a different fight.

Quote:
I would have preferred if Daredevil had finished freeing himself, instead of Misty conveniently returning to break the chain. She only appears on a single page in this book.


I liked seeing Misty, but I agree it's odd how she appeared only to disappear again.

Quote:
Is Karen bothered by the fact that she's working in radio, or is Karen bothered by working at a station run by Wilson Fisk? Is she aware it's run by Wilson Fisk? Is that why she's not telling Matt? So many questions.


I think that's the implication. She doesn't want to tell Matt because it's Fisk's station. There's even an implication that it's still being run by Fisk (referring to their boss as the big man). Ultimately, it turns out to be a different supervillain.
_________________
Matt Murdock's cooler twin brother

Not sure what to read next? Check out the Book Club for some ideas!

I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons
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