Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: The King of Hell’s Kitchen: Part 3
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Alex Maleev
Colored by: Matt Hollingsworth
Lettered by: Virtual Calligraphy’s Cory Petit
Editor: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Man, did Marvel ever screw their characters up!
It’s really unfair to blame Marvel for the insane things that they have done to their crop of characters in the last few years. Much the same as what went on from the “big two†in the 90s, Marvel has tried mightily to instill broad changes that are irrevocable over the last few years.
The changes in many cases have led to a great story or two, and created a tremendous amount of buzz. Unfortunately, the book eventually becomes something far different than what it used to be, and the creators are painted into a corner that they can never realistically get out of.
Daredevil, under Brian Bendis, is a book that had its shots to return to a relative status quo at various points. Yet, Bendis chose not to. Instead upping the ante each month and telling some truly special stories. The thing is, the last few years have read like Daredevil: The End, and not a book that had any long-term hopes of being anything near what it used to be.
The most recent events have seen Matt Murdoch after denying for untold issues that he was the crime fighter Daredevil, which had been reported in the press, choose to unveil his secret himself and take over as the new Kingpin of Hell’s Kitchen. This last portion of Bendis’ tales has been “Fall of the House of Usher†featuring Daredevil. The plotting and situations have been superb, and the characterization is amazing. But, I’m just not happy with where it is all leading.
It would be one thing if this was truly the end of the line for the character. If we were seeing the final end to Daredevil I would be thrilled with the stories. Yet, it’s all going to come to a neat conclusion and we’re going to get the usual return to the norm that has happened with just about every character that seemed finished in the last fifteen years. Green Arrow, Batman, Superman, Spider-Man and countless others looked to be altered for all-time, but each came back in their old form.
Of course when these changes are fixed with a reasonable scenario it is one thing, but when those irrevocable changes usually can only be fixed with a deus ex machina, I have major problems. As this issue closes it’s looking like we may be treated to something of a “deus†in the coming months.
At the close of last issue it was revealed that Milla, Matt’s love interest, was actually now his bride of four months. The conversation with reporter Ben Urich continues this month. This is the usual Bendis-talking heads approach, but it plays out wonderfully. There isn’t a better writer in the industry at static dialogue sequences. Alex Maleev’s art creates the appropriate atmosphere as always. The conversation between Urich and Milla gives us a look into the last year, which is the time jump that occurred between the last Bendis arc and the start of this one two issues back. Bendis also throws in a strong sequence concerning the interrogation of one of the yakuza that fought with DD/Matt last month.
Ulrich’s conversation with Milla leads him to Matt’s longtime partner Foggy Nelson and then to Matt himself. As the scenes play out we are left with a stunning revelation that leaves us at a very interesting place as the final panels play out. Is this really what I think it is?
Bendis has continued to surprise and keep sending Matt deeper every month, but now it looks like he’s going to pop his head above water and return to normalcy. If the implications at issues end play out the way I think they’re going to there may be a lot of angry people in the near future. Of course, Bendis has kept everyone guessing during this run, so who knows what’s going to happen.
Send me your e-mails about this situation. What do you think is the deal here? If you want to comment more, check out the 144Anima message boards where an interesting thread is brewing.
