Daredevil: Do I stop reading now?

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

According to Newsarama, Daredevil #93 essentially closes the door on the story started oh so long ago in DD #31, with Brubaker pretty much wrapping up all the plot threads from Bendis' epic run. Haven't read the issue so I don't know if that's accurate, but I'm curious how true that is.

See, I loved Bendis' run on Daredevil and think it's easily, by far his best mainstream work. No, it wasn't the swashbuckling hero of old ... but it was great. I also loved Bru's first arc, the prison storyline. Freakin' fantastic. Amazing how he took such a broken book and started pulling it back together.

If Bru's wrapping it all up in #93, that's cool. Oddly enough, being a comic reader and all, I like my stories to end. I like closure. I'm no longer interested in the serial form and haven't been in some time. I like complete stories. (Loose ends and unanswered questions are okay.) So if Bru's story feels like it has some closure, allowing him to do his thing ... do I stop there?

On one hand, some closure would be great. It'd feel like I read an epic comic novel.

On the other, Brubaker is on a damn roll right now. It'd be a shame to miss what great stuff he does next.

Daredevil, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker. Discuss.

Jeff · 05 Oct 2006

I've reached a stage where for some reason I want stuff I like to end. I want Lost to end, so there is a satisfying conclusion. I was glad when it was announced Life on Mars was finishing up this series, for the same reason. This isn't because I don't still like them, it's just that I really want to see a complete story, with a satisfying ending. This mood has affected my comic reading as well, though not to the degree where I want everything to end. Lately, it seems I'm glad when a series I've been buying gets cancelled (again, because generally the book is closed with a finished story), but this doesn't extend to all of my comics. I'm happy to collect Batman and Detective ongoing, for instance. If Spider-Man ever comes back, I'll be back on board with Peter Parker and won't look for a conclusion.
All this leads to my answer, which is, if you like Daredevil the character, and want to see what's going to happen next to Matt Murdock, then keep on keeping on. If you feel like you've finished up an epic and you're satisfied with the conclusion, drop the book.

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:57 pm

Eric W.H. Taft wrote:

According to Newsarama, Daredevil #93 essentially closes the door on the story started oh so long ago in DD #31, with Brubaker pretty much wrapping up all the plot threads from Bendis' epic run. Haven't read the issue so I don't know if that's accurate, but I'm curious how true that is.

See, I loved Bendis' run on Daredevil and think it's easily, by far his best mainstream work. No, it wasn't the swashbuckling hero of old ... but it was great. I also loved Bru's first arc, the prison storyline. Freakin' fantastic. Amazing how he took such a broken book and started pulling it back together.

If Bru's wrapping it all up in #93, that's cool. Oddly enough, being a comic reader and all, I like my stories to end. I like closure. I'm no longer interested in the serial form and haven't been in some time. I like complete stories. (Loose ends and unanswered questions are okay.) So if Bru's story feels like it has some closure, allowing him to do his thing ... do I stop there?

On one hand, some closure would be great. It'd feel like I read an epic comic novel.

On the other, Brubaker is on a damn roll right now. It'd be a shame to miss what great stuff he does next.

Daredevil, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker. Discuss.

If you're enjoying Brubaker's run, why not continue reading his stories? You know, reading new stuff doesn't destroy the old stuff ... you can compartmentalise ... for example maybe you feel like keeping that whole arc in your collection permanently but don't want to keep any newer DD issues even if you continue reading. What's the difference, it's all good. Collecting comics is supposed to be fun, not full of high-pressure decisions.

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

You make light of this, Linda, but this is serious business. If I stop reading now, I can pretend the story is over. If I keep reading I might like what I read, sure, but then, like, I can't pretend the story is over and stuff! What if I don't get another point with good closure? I will have passed up my one chance!

This is why comics are so frustrating!

Na, actually I'm really just curious how accurate Newsarama's assessment is, because I'd then keep the trades up until this point, and continue to read singles until I'm bored.

I do like closure, though, and will wax poetic about it as a reply to Jeff's post once I get my lazy ass back on track to meet deadline.

Rawburn · 24 Sep 2004

I'm not sure anyone can answer your question for you Eric. If good stories are expected (as I think there are), keep reading. If nothing can possibly touch the enjoyment you got out of Bendis and Bru on DD thru 93, then walk away quietly.

I understand the sense of completion you appreciate from the run, but does that guarantee you won't like the rest of the issues? I think you can have it both ways.

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

I should clarify: I used "should I keep reading?" as a hook for other topics - Daredevil, Brubaker, closure, wanting to get info on ish #93, etc. Despite asking if I should keep reading, I'm not actually asking if I should keep reading.

No question that I plan to, as I'm curious to see where the story goes. The "do I stop there?" is more, "Does the story end here?" if you know what I mean.

I'm curious as to what extent Bru closes the door on the story in the new issue, yes. I'll keep reading no matter what, but I'm very curious regarding the amount of closure here and the amount of, "Okay, new direction!"

I DO plan to have it both ways.

I like the idea and topic of comic stories ending; we're more frequently seeing intentionally finite stories, something I quite like as a reader. I wouldn't want it to happen with long-running titles like Spider-Man or Superman, but I like it with others. If this topic splinters to that, cool.

I like what Bendis and Bru have done with Daredevil and hope the general DD topic sparks some comments from fellow fans.

And yeah, had I not danced around that ...

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

I like to dance around!

Hooks! All first posts need hooks!

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

Taft loses again ...

Roger A Ott II · 29 Nov 2004

It's been so long since I've read a Daredevil comic book. I think it was issue #7, wasn't that back in 1998 or something? I like most of Bendis's work and Brubaker has impressed me with his Cap'n America, so there's no reason for me not to have been reading other than I just haven't.

Easily remedied. I assume most of these issues you speak of are currently available in trade, yes?

John V · **Joined:** 18 Aug 2004 **Posts:** 5481

Roger - Brubaker first arc is indeed out in trade with the second one to follow.

Eric - Bru does tie up most of the loose ends but there are still tales to be told: next issue focuses on Milla as well as one the villains in the previous arc, then DD has to retake Hell's Kitchen in the next arc leading to big issue 100!

So IMO - dont stop - its just getting started and Bru's run will be better than Bendis; (which I really enjoyed). There is defintetly a certain sense of closure in the latest issue but also the feeling that there is more to come.

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

Roger A Ott II wrote:

Easily remedied. I assume most of these issues you speak of are currently available in trade, yes?

If you do eBay, just bide your time and you can get most of the run dirt cheap, if you're patient and willing to take reading copies. Every now and then a lot of three or four trades, once in a while the whole run, will go up, often at a good price.

The David Mack arc (Vol. 8, Vision Quest) is a good diversion but is not at all essential to the overarching core story. Feel free to skip that one if you want to save yourself a few bucks.

John V wrote:

Eric - Bru does tie up most of the loose ends but there are still tales to be told: next issue focuses on Milla as well as one the villains in the previous arc, then DD has to retake Hell's Kitchen in the next arc leading to big issue 100!

Ahhh, that sounds killer! Bru's sense of drama is excellent. Seeing DD back on the streets of Hell's Kitchen in his hands should be great reading.

I know a lot of longtime Daredevil fans hadn't been too happy about the change in tone, but speaking as a longtime DD fan, I really loved it. The last 60 something issues of Daredevil have really felt like one vast crime saga. One I'll no doubt revisit more than once in the future.

Monk · 19 Jun 2006

Daredevil has been one of Marvel's best comics since Bendis and Maleev took over years ago, and Brubaker and Lark haven't missed a step. #93 does tie up the loose ends from Bendis' arc, but given how Brubaker plots, he'll be starting his own epic with #94.

Rob Steinbrenner · **Joined:** 05 Jun 2006 **Posts:** 49778

I like Bru's work. I grew tired of Bendis's stretched out stories. Very tired.

I now tire of DD as crime book, though.

Crouton Jim · 09 Aug 2004

Bru's Daredevil is one of Marvel's best books. He's done a terrific job to date and I'll probably reading as long as he's writing it.

Li'l Jay · 28 May 2006

I am in the opposite situation from Eric. I bought this month's Daredevil precisely because of Brubaker, and I am glad I picked this time to do it -- this was the wrap up issue, and I'm all set to understand what goes on from here. So I'm excited about what's to come.

Edite to clarify: first Daredevil in forever for me.

Oddly enough, I picked up New Avengers for the first time this month, and I think I'm sticking on that one.

Pip · **Joined:** 16 Aug 2004 **Posts:** 2921

>>Daredevil: Do I stop reading now?<<

Yes, if it's 1986.

John V · **Joined:** 18 Aug 2004 **Posts:** 5481

Eric - you said it best...Brubaker can really convey a sense of drama and urgency..you can feel the danger.

Rob H - Bru has been bringing back some classic villains like the new Matador and Tombstone in the last arc...i expect to see more in the new arcs so that should be fun.

Pope Krysak · 11 Dec 2006

Rob Steinbrenner wrote:

I like Bru's work. I grew tired of Bendis's stretched out stories. Very tired.

I now tire of DD as crime book, though.

Same here. I've mentioned this in the past but I truly think Bendis can write a good beginning and middle to a story but his endings seem to lose steam. That was my impression of his Daredevil run anyway. It seemed to be the case for New Avengers as well.

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

His three key indie crime works, Torso, Jinx and Goldfish, all had suitably excellent endings. Torso's doesn't give you much closure, but then, that's how the actual events behind the story went down. I'd agree that his Daredevil run dragged a bit at the 2/3 mark and that the ending wasn't as bang-up as it could have been, but I don't think either flaw was fatal. Things amped up just enough in the end to satisfy.

That sort of thing WAS a fatal flaw, however, in his big Marvel "event" titles, none of which I liked. For all the bang and clatter I felt like Secret War fizzled, House of M was a real snoozer despite the shakup it created, and Dissassembled was amazingly anti-climactic for such a big event.

Eric W.H. Taft · 14 Aug 2006

Just got done catching up on Bru's DD, reading the full Devil Takes A Ride arc that ends with #93.

F'in' A, this guy sure can write. He somehow managed to take that whole mess of threads Bendis threw out there and wrap them up clean as a whistle, relying, amazingly enough, on stuff from the very start of the whole "Daredevil gets outed" saga. Wonderful bit of housecleaning made all the better because it''s actually good. Big kudos to Bru on that. He brought this whole chapter of Matt Murdock's life to a close in a way that feels entirely natural, bringing back a semblance of the status quo that is just changed enough to feel fresh. Awesome.

I'll keep reading, to be sure, but for the moment I feel like I just finished a fantastic meal. The combined Bendis/Brubaker run on Daredevil, with much credit to Maleev and Lark for their appropriately moody and stylistic art, is one of the true gems of the last 10 years.

(Great Salon feature on Bendis' time with Daredevil right here. If you liked his run, give this a read.)

Jim Yingst · 11 Feb 2006

Eric W.H. Taft wrote:

He somehow managed to take that whole mess of threads Bendis threw out there and wrap them up clean as a whistle, relying, amazingly enough, on stuff from the very start of the whole "Daredevil gets outed" saga.

To be fair, do we really know whether that escape clause came from Bendis or Brubaker? My understanding is that Bendis was willing to wrap the whole storyline up earlier, restoring the previous state, but Brubaker wanted to continue it (DD in prison) in his own run, and resolve it later. I don't know the exact details - but I submit that if Bendis had a resolution, and Brubaker opted to defer it to later, it's not really fair to credit Brubaker for rescuing us from Bendis' sins. I think Brubaker kicks ass, sure - but that doesn't mean he gets credit for everything about the resolution to Bendis' plotlines. Me, I don't know who came up with all the ideas - but I think Bendis deserves the benefit of the doubt here. He shook things up, rather massively in fact - but the pieces were ultimately restoreable. I'm not sure who really deserves the cedit for the restoration - but I'm also not at all convinced that Bendis should bear all the blame for the situation.

Monk · 19 Jun 2006

Jim Yingst wrote:

Eric W.H. Taft wrote:

He somehow managed to take that whole mess of threads Bendis threw out there and wrap them up clean as a whistle, relying, amazingly enough, on stuff from the very start of the whole "Daredevil gets outed" saga.

To be fair, do we really know whether that escape clause came from Bendis or Brubaker? My understanding is that Bendis was willing to wrap the whole storyline up earlier, restoring the previous state, but Brubaker wanted to continue it (DD in prison) in his own run, and resolve it later. I don't know the exact details - but I submit that if Bendis had a resolution, and Brubaker opted to defer it to later, it's not really fair to credit Brubaker for rescuing us from Bendis' sins. I think Brubaker kicks ass, sure - but that doesn't mean he gets credit for everything about the resolution to Bendis' plotlines. Me, I don't know who came up with all the ideas - but I think Bendis deserves the benefit of the doubt here. He shook things up, rather massively in fact - but the pieces were ultimately restoreable. I'm not sure who really deserves the cedit for the restoration - but I'm also not at all convinced that Bendis should bear all the blame for the situation.

Asked and answered. Seriously.

From a Newsarama interview with Brubaker:

Quote:

NRAMA: Given the overall scope of the grand arc here - how Brian got the ball rolling, and now, where you've pulled it back together - were any of these threads we saw in #90-#93 part of Brian's plan all along, or did the whole Vanessa storyline begin, as she said, when Matt was in jail?

EB: When Brian and I originally worked this out, I told him that it would be Vanessa Fisk in this twisted Lady MacBeth at death's door kind of moment that would eventually help put the pieces back together for Matt, and there was talk of having her being behind the scenes, pressuring the FBI Director to go after Matt, but he thought it was better if the FBI Director was just being a prick and deciding he was right, and he was sick of these costumed guys ruining his cases and thinking they were better than him. And I think that was a good instinct. But yeah, once Matt and Fisk were behind bars together, all the moves behind the scenes - Foggy's stabbing, the murder of the guy who stabbed him, it looking like Kingpin was behind it -- that was all Vanessa. Even getting Foggy snuck into Witness Protection. That was using some of Wilson's old connections and putting pressure on to keep it quiet.

NRAMA: Did Brian have a way out of it all planned as well?

EB: He never had to come up with one, since we formulated the hand-off plan with Matt being tossed in jail and me taking over from that point on.

I love Bendis' run. I think it's the best run on Daredevil, with the exception of "Born Again", which is obviously the inspiration for it. Brubaker's come on and kept up the quality without missing a beat, which is an incredible accomplishment in and of itself.

Daredevil: Do I stop reading now?

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