Review by Tim Sheridan
“The Devil in Cell Block D” Part One
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Michael Lark
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Consulting Editor: Axel Alonso
Editor: Warren Simons
Published by Marvel Comics
So here it is, the first issue by the new team of Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Now I didn’t want to hate this issue, but I was all set to. I have been an unabashed fan of the Bendis/Maleev, so whoever was the follow-up team was bound to be not as good. But I was delighted to see that this was quite a worthy follow up.
I equate this with the television show “LA Law”. In the middle of its run in the 80s and early 90s, creator Steven Bochco left the show, and producer David E. Kelley took over as lead show runner. Both are very talented, if different writers and producers. The show had a very different feel, but it was ultimately the same show. That seems to be exactly what has happened here. This first part of “The Devil in Cell Block D” picks up pretty much right where Bendis left off. It’s the continuation of an ongoing story, but it feels totally different (not a bad thing) to all that has come before. Brubaker and Lark make a smashing debut on their first issue here. I would actually be disappointed if they tried to ape the last story. Honestly, I expect more from these creators. While this is an extension of Bendis’ story, they make it their own, giving it their personal style, and not diminishing anything to come before.
We find Matt Murdock in prison, and he is surrounded by many criminals that he helped put there, including the Kingpin. He could not possibly be in a worse situation than he is. He is now pretty much incapable of helping his cause. He is still denying to everyone else that he is in fact Daredevil, but it is utterly futile. The prisoners don’t like the new guys, and they like Murdock even less because he is supposed to be a super-hero.
Meanwhile, on the outside, his law partner Foggy Nelson is doing his best to get Matt out of prison, and that is all but a lost cause. There is also someone who has put on a Daredevil costume and is doing…well, what Daredevil normally would be doing in Hell’s Kitchen. No one, including Murdock’s closest friends know who is under the mask. The only person I can think of is Spider-man, because he’s helped Matt out before, but frankly, that’s too simple.
After a meeting with Matt, Foggy is attacked in the prison. It’s a very violent and disquieting scene. At the same time, Matt is slipped a note that basically says that Foggy’s attack is a lesson for him, and we end the issue unclear whether Foggy survives. Very powerful cliffhanger.
Brubaker delivers a great script, which gives us the characterization and great dialogue we are used to in this book, and Lark’s art is perfect here. Very clean and stylish.
So I’m hooked. For a first issue by a new team, this was incredibly strong, losing none of the momentum left by the last team. At the end of the last issue, I didn’t think things could get worse for our hero, but Brubaker and Lark have compounded another heap of problems for him. Excellent issue.
