Daredevil #9 is written by Stephanie Phillips and published by Marvel Comics. Artwork by Lee Garbett Colours by Frank Martin and Letters by VC’s Ariana Maher. Main cover art (left) is by Lee Garbett.
Daredevil #9 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
MAN WITH FEAR!! In a city without fear, violence and danger erupt like never before! MATT MURDOCK must help ensure the safety of the E.S.U. students, even as DAREDEVIL copes with MR. FEAR’s citywide scheme!
Review
Why do we love to see Matt Murdock tortured? It’s simple: it makes his victory all the sweeter. In Daredevil #9, Matt is tormented when Mr Fear uses his new fearless drug on him. This takes the Man Without Fear on a psychedelic journey, highlighting some of the key failures in his life. From Elektra to Karen Page and Milla Donovan (Matt’s ex-wife), as well as Bullseye and Kingpin.
Now, I do love a good inner exploration of Daredevil! This issue accomplishes that expertly. Of course, this isn’t the first time an issue of Daredevil has explored Matt Murdock’s inner demons. Daredevil #177, written by Frank Miller, quickly comes to mind. In #177, Matt has to confront his inner fears in a psychological battle against a demon. This issue almost feels like a spiritual sequel to Miller’s 1981 story. Here, though, Matt isn’t fighting a metaphorical demon, but is forced to question who he is and look at his fraught relationships and the people he has failed to protect.
Phillips does a fantastic job of pinpointing Matt’s psychological triggers and exploiting them. For example, the way Mr Fear twists the metaphysical knife creates something of a demented rollercoaster ride. Matt Murdock’s altruism, pathological guilt and martyr complex have perhaps caused more harm than good. This points to the fascinating question at the heart of this issue: is Daredevil good? Or just a monster that destroys?
These are big questions for Matt and the reader to wrestle with!
Ultimately, this story serves as a great recap for newer readers, encapsulating decades of Daredevil’s interpersonal traumas. It also serves as a reminder of the most important figures throughout his history. From his failed marriage to Milla to his unwillingness to take out Kingpin. There is a lot to sink into.
Nevertheless, I do have a few quibbles. Admittedly, the pacing is a little slow. The majority of the story takes place within Matt’s mind. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a negative. That’s the strongest stuff here. However, I found myself disinterested in the side story with Detective Forteit. It retreaded information we already knew and pumped the brakes on the overall story a little too hard. Unfortunately, he hasn’t gripped me in the way other supporting characters have in the past. And considering the cliffhanger from issue #8 involving Sari Ellison, Matt’s co-worker, she is oddly sidelined.
As for the art? Well, Lee Garbett’s work is always a treat! You can tell he’s having a lot of fun with these illustrations, especially when the story focuses on Matt’s psychedelic drug trip. The page with the radar sense followed by a double-page spread and then a devilish hulking-out moment, really pops! The same goes for Frank Martin’s colours and Maher’s letters. The book is a visual delight!
Verdict
City Without Fear Part 2 is delicious nightmare fuel that gets to the heart of Matt Murdock’s pain and guilt. While the story is an interesting psychological study, it does, perhaps, feel a little slow at times. However, the end is a shocking revelation that will have very interesting implications moving forward for the Law Teacher Without Fear!
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