Daredevil Message Board

[blacktyphoid]

This twelve year period in DD's rich and textured history when read straight through has all the elements of continuity storytelling and character development that convey the sense of one beautifully crafted graphic novel. Allow me to explain.

First, the Kingpin story line acts as the catylist for this lengthy run. Fisk is introduced as a major adversary shortly after #168, moves the story along by soundly humiliating and torturing DD during the middle section of this novel (#s 227-233) and then is eventually defeated in issue #300 by an avenging and triumphant Daredevil.

The aforementioned issues 227 - 233, are Miller's Born Again story. Born Again becomes the springboard for all other things that follow in Matt's complicated and miserable life that eventually lead up to his retribution in #300.

This entire run shows DD as we have never seen him before. It starts with Miller opening an entirely new direction in DD's life. Miller creates the darker, moodier, grittier Daredevil. The creators that followed Miller, which include the controversial Ann Nocenti period, kept re-inventing the character by putting him into situations never before seen. And each of these situations resulted in changing DD in one way or another.

Here's the story continuity in a nut shell:

The devastating Born Again story leaves Matt broke, careerless, homeless and separated from Karen Page. He was humiliated and on the verge of an emotional and nervous breakdown. Yet, not satisfied with the damage he inflicted during the Born Again saga, the Kingpin, during the Heart Attack storyline, further reaks havoc into Matt's miserable life with Typhoid Mary. As a result, DD's life continues to spiral out of control. Any chance at a reconciliation with Karen Page is eliminated when a confused Matt Murdock cheats on her with Typhoid. He tries to practice law with no licence and is caught by the police. Following thsee chapters in the Super Graphic Novel, it stands to follow that DD, during the Nocenti period, goes on a long voyage of discovery (of himself).

With no money, career, relationship or home, Matt goes on a long journey in search of something he can't quite identify. And here's where the Nocenti period really kicks in. Matt finds himself in the depths of Hell and the mysteries of New York State. Along the way he finds himself tackling a litany of social issues and assorted Marvel heroes and villiians that were completely foreign to him. He tries to learn from these experiences to gain a greater understanding of himself and his life. He forms temporary alliances. He even, coincidentally, meets his old superhero buddy, Spider-Man. Matt even admits to himself during this journey of discovery that he is severally traumatized.

Finally, towards the end of his journey, and after arriving back in New York, he reaches the depth of his despair when he temporarily loses his memory and identity (no doubt due to the trauma he had faced). But his journey ends when he achieves his redemption. He gains a renewed purpose by returning to his law practice, teaming up once again with his best friend (Foggy), reuniting with his familiar lover (Karen) and, in the climatic Last Rites storyline (#297-300) he ultimately defeats and humiliates his tormentors, namely Typhoid Mary and Kingpin. In other words, by issue #300, Daredevil has climed a huge mountain and comes full circle - after years of anguish, torment and self-discovery he is back to his old self and lifestyle. But he is also somewhat different. He is hardened and slightly more cynical. During the Last Rites storyline, he shows that he is not benenath dirty, malicious game playing when it comes to evening the score with Typhoid Mary.

You won't find a find comic book run as creative or as interesting as this period in Daredevil's life. Standard supporting characters such as Karen Page, Foggy Nelson and Black Widow are brilliantly and seamlessly weaved in and out of this period. New (female) characters such as Glorianna O'Breen, Typhoid Mary and, of course, Elektra, are introduced and marvelously developed. The new characters often lead interesting lives without always directly interacting with Matt.

The stability of talented and caring creators are the hallmark of this prolific period. There were only TWO editors over this twelve year run helping to ensure story continuity. Aside from the occasional fill-in, there were only four major writers: Miller, O'Neil, Nocenti and Chichester. (Even one of the two editors of this period, namely Denny O'Neil, went on to become one of the writers.) There were only five major artists: Miller/Janson, Johnson, Mazzuccelli, Romita Jr., and Weeks. Each writer carried the ideas of his/her predecessors into his/her period on the book. For instance, Chichester concluded the Kingpin saga created by Miller and concluded the Typhoid Mary saga initiated by Nocenti. Nocenti determined the kind of effects and anguish Matt would feel following Born Again and utilized that to the fullest effect during her run on the book. In short, writers respected the story lines of their predecessors and used them to build their own.

So do yourself a favour: when you have the time and issues, try reading #s 168 - 300 consecutively over the span of a few days. You should notice, like I did, that a great and ambitious, though perhaps not fully intended, overarching storyline dramtically unfolds.

Phew! Thanks for getting this far with me. I'm out!

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blacktyphoid

[Gloria]

Whew! Awesome resume!

Yes, there's an underlying sense of logical continuity in those stories, even though the people in charge of the series were quite different.

I understand when some people complains about "Continuity Porn"... Yes, sometimes an excessive respect for continuity can bring godawful results. But then continuity, when properly worked, gives a series a sense of history: the characthers are no mere pawns to be placed here or there at the author's whim, they are who they are as a result of their experiences... they are fictional entities, OK, but this sense of history, of evolution, gives further depth to a story. It gives consistency.

One thing I like about Brubaker's Daredevil is, not only how consistent/respectful is with the events of the Bendis era, but also with the whole story of Daredevil. He has a deep respect for good use of continuity which enriches the story.
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Gloria
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