Creators
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Wally Wood (pencil and inks)
Letters: Sam Rosen
Appearances
Matt Murdock- Daredevil
Foggy Nelson
Karen Page
The Ox- first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man 10 with Enforcers
The Eel- firsst appearance Strange Tales 112- 1963
Mister Fear- Zolton Drago, first appearance Daredevil 6
Recap: Daredevil stands atop a building as a crew is filming a movie on the street below. The crew members are made up of The Ox, The Eel and Mister Fear. Using the movie as a ruse, they are robbing the safe within. As Daredevil intervenes, Mister Fear fires a “fear pellet” at DD. It explodes behind him and allows them to escape. Daredevil licks his wounds after failing to apprehend them. We then turn to Mister Fear. He is working on a formula to bring his wax sculptures to life. A cat inadvertently knocks over his formula and it releases a fear toxin. Drago then figures out a way to weaponize it. While visiting the wax museum with Foggy and Karen, Matt recognizes the smell of the fear toxin. Foggy also notices someone who looks like the Ox. Daredevil returns to confront them. While fighting them, Foggy enters. He is injured. Daredevil takes him to the hospital to treat what would be a concussion. Matt leaves and returns as Daredevil to watch over Foggy in case they return to finish the job. And of course, they do, disguised as orderlies. Daredevil holds them off and they return to Mister Fear, questioning whether or not they should work for him. Daredevil follows. He fights them, cleverly placing himself by the exhaust fan turning in reverse. The fear toxin sprays on Ox, who runs scared. Daredevil throws sand on the Eel so he isn’t slippery, plays possum with Ox once he returns to defeat him, and handles Mister Fear easily in hand to hand combat. We then return to the hospital and then the office for the wrap up with Foggy and Karen.
Thoughts: Another great issue. Stan Lee continues to throw interesting villains at Daredevil. They seem a little corny at times, but they are a perfect fit for his power set. And, again, following suit to a common trope, Mister Fear gets his “power” through an accident. Daredevil is an excellent fighter, but uses his intelligence to win the day again. Seems his promise to his dad to get his law degree has paid off in more than one way.
This is the second issue in a row that Daredevil looks pathetic in battle- first being outclassed by The Matador and then looking scared to fight Mister Fear and gang. In the end, the consensus is that Daredevil pretended to be scared to trick Mister Fear so that he could apprehend him. However, this angle is something that Matt/Daredevil will endure throughout. He is a character who suffers. He must take the negative attitudes to hide who he is and protect his friends. Further, it gets worse for Matt and his relationships. He and Karen love each other, but cannot act due to their love of Foggy. In fact, Karen and Foggy see Matt as cold and unemotional. Seems, like Spider-man/Peter Parker, that Daredevil will ultimately win, while Matt must be forced to suffer.
I like that we return to the law office at the end of every issue. It grounds the story in a reality we can all understand. They have day jobs and relationship problems like the rest of us. We are only a few issues in and we already care about Karen and Foggy.
The art under the brilliant pencil and inks of Wally Wood is a true highlight. Wood makes the most from every page. The action is full of movement and the quieter moments take place in a setting that feels lived in. Just beautiful to look at. The last page with Matt sitting at his desk, casting a Daredevil shadow to his side is masterclass. I wish Wood would have been on longer.
Next up: Namor and a red suit.
