Customer Reviews

Daredevil: Lady Bullseye

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ed Brubaker, arguably the most talented writer currently working at Marvel Comics (Fred Van Lente being the most prominent competition), started his run on Daredevil with a bang: "The Devil in Cell-Block D" (collected in "Daredevil: The Devil, Inside and Out v.1"), which saw the title character deal with imprisonment and exposure. Following that, Brubaker's run tapered off a bit. Daredevil's European tour and his return to a New York status quo lacked the snap of the first arc, and the following "Without Fear" mega-arc lasted a year, and, while it reads better collected, in the single-issue format it dragged (Brubaker is normally the most practiced craftsman in the slow-burn writing school). Then, Brubaker's old "Gotham Central" co-writer, Greg Rucka, arrived on the book for an arc focussing on Daredevil and Dakota North, his private eye ally, which recharged the series. "Lady Bullseye continues that upward trend.

This five-issue arc (#111-115) follows two major plot threads. The first of these is the introduction of the title character, Lady Bullseye. Now, the revelation of the name set numerous people a-groaning at what sounded like a very lame concept. The distaff counterpart to a more established male character has a lengthy history in comics, beginning with Captain Marvel's sister Mary Marvel. The idea has become something of a cliche, so anyone looking to use it has to bring something new or really sell the core concept. Brubaker is a master at both innovation and reviving the best parts of the superhero formula, and he succeeds once again here. Lady Bullseye, an assassin for Daredevil's ninja enemies the Hand, is my favourite new villain of 2008. Brubaker constructs her as a black inversion of the traditional concept of heroic inspiration: after being 'rescued' by Bullseye, she sees his sadistic brutality as admirable.

Continuing the theme of Daredevil's troubles with women, Brubaker delivers fascinating developments in Daredevil's personal life. At the end of "Without Fear", Daredevil's wife Milla was driven insane by the villainous Mister Fear. In the following arc, Milla's parents intervened, suing to obtain custody of their daughter from him, and cutting off his access to see her. Driven into a state of despair, Matt finds himself drawn towards Dakota. There are only a few characters with which this sort of thing would work, and Daredevil is one of them. One can understand and sympathize with Matt's situation.

Brubaker introduces a cliffhanger final plot point that sets the stage for his next arc (and apparently also his final one) on the series, which so far has been excellent. Add in some strong new characters like Lady Bullseye and Master Izo, skillful use of guest heroes like Iron Fist (it's nice to see Brubake writing him again), Black Tarantula, and White Tiger, and excellent art from both series regular Michael Lark and guest Clay Man. Brubaker's run looks to be headed for a strong finale.

Highly recommended.

Brubaker and Lark's Daredevil has been a consistently solid read, and this volume is no exception. Brubaker knows his noir, and there have been several devastating turns throughout the run that have cemented Matt Murdock as The superhero version of the doomed protagonist that genre is known for. That he continues to fight in spite of the tragedies that his life mounts on his plate is essential to the character, and Brubaker knows that. What irks in this volume is that he comes across as whiney and psychologically unsophisticated - there's making bad decisions and feeling the inevitable consequences, and then there's being an emotional masochist. Matt leans too far to the latter for my tastes in this volume, and that makes him hard to root for or empathize with.

My other knock on this volume is that it feels like part of a story. That's the name of the game in comic book collections from Marvel and DC these days, I suppose, but as it's unclear why the "villian" is operating against Daredevil's interests - and since he seems to be really good at doing that without any help - the ending of this book seems a little more unsatisfactory than most.

This all sounds more negative then it should. I hold the creative team to high standards. Lady Bullseye is above average superhero comics with a strong crime fiction influence. Michael Lark is one of the masters of the comic book form, and his dynamic layouts never get in the way of his impecable storytelling. Not as strong as their work on Gotham Central for DC (for example, Gotham Central Book One: In the Line of Duty), and those who like this or want to see them at their best should definitely check that out.

I know, Lady Bullseye sounds ridiculous (like all other-sex counterparts to established heroes/villains), but after you read this you might give kudos for Brubaker for creating her. This arc begins the end story in Brubaker'r run on Daredevil, and it stays pretty brutal and messed up until the end. In this arc, I really started to lose the fictitious respect I had for DD. It wasn't because he cheats on his wife (he's promiscuous anyways and he's done it before i.e. he cheated on his soon-to-be-dead girlfriend, Karen Page, with his ex, the Black Widow, in DD#370). No, I lost respect because of all the whining and 8*tching DD does because he doesn't get what he wants. Luckily, Brubaker understands how some readers might take on a new dislike of Matt Murdock because of this, and he voices those readers opinions through characters in the story. You have characters calling Matt names that you were thinking before you read them, genius.

Anyways, the writing is good. The art is top-notch. I even think Matt Hollingsworth started experimenting different with the coloring, making the colors much more richer than the previous issues. The two most hardcore characters to emerge since Elektra and Stick are introduced, Lady Bullseye and Master Izo. But with their emergence it really makes it seem like Brubaker should have stuck around for longer. Maybe once he turned Matt into a jerk he started to dislike the book, haha.

writing: [9/10]
art: [8/10]

This arc shows the Hands plans coming to fruition. All the characters involved with Murdock are affected in the book. We see him have an affair that he immediately regrets, and in true DD fashion, it blows up in his face not long after. It seems Bru is moving away from Milla as a character. Which is good, because there's no real direction to go with her. We've seen DD's loved ones die before...a lot, so that's not really an option. And it's not like DD can actually have a real marriage, so having her go insane and leave is a logical move in order to keep the overall story making any sense.

As always, great artwork and compelling storytelling. This arc sets up what looks to be a dynamite arc next. Im really glad to see DD back to what it should be. Chaotic and fast paced.

I have been unimpressed with Brubaker's run in general, and this collection doesn't really change that. It's not bad, definitely. Matt Murdock makes a very serious relational mistake in the beginning, then the story bounces along at a quick pace, with developments I didn't anticipate, while Lady Bullseye appears in NYC on business for the Hand. The focus is on the martial arts aspects of Daredevil's character, which I have always found to be the weakest bases for Daredevil stories, but readers who like that will be pleased with this book. I just have little interest in the Hand, White Tiger, Iron Fist, Black Tarantula, etc. The two new characters (Lady Bullseye and Master Izo) have potential - Izo is like a funnier version of Stick, and if Lady Bullseye can change the embarrassing body paint costume (I can't display the book cover in public, or people will think it's porn, even moreso than typical comic book covers with women), then she could be an intriguing character. Ultimately, for a Brubaker Daredevil story, this is good, but it's not the kind of history-making work that Miller or Bendis produced, and it suffers by unavoidable comparison.

When I first heard the name Lady Bullseye I couldn't stop my eyes from rolling. This couldn't be good. Somehow, Brubaker and Lark not only made her and amazing new villain but made a great story with her in the middle. I love The Hand when done right and here they'e pitch-perfect. A new "Stick-like" figure in Master Izo peaks my attention for more on the ancient drunk. I really enjoyed this collection and can't wait for more.

I was not too keen on the direction of the DD stories when Brubaker took over from Bendis. The drop in writing was luckily saved by the superior artwork of Michael Lark whom I think continues to maintain the standard for this comic.

In this comic, DD's encounter with Lady Bullseye involves her manipulation of events surrounding DD's circle of friends to try and induce DD to take over the notorious "Hand" ninjas formerly led by Elektra. The introduction of the Black Tarantula and the White Tiger are poor exercises in trying to milk more out of these has-been characters, probably dependent on the perceived nostalgia felt for these characters. Really, their powers are nothing to speak of and their personae and costumes are dull. Even Iron Fist Danny Rand comes across as a grown-up Kungfu Kid and the introduction of the inebriated master Izo hampers the true resurgence of this series. Too much kungfu chop suey and ninja mojo will break this series.

Lady Bullseye and Dakota North comes across as interesting foils for DD's foibles, certainly much more interesting than Milla. DD should just drop Milla, out of sight, out of mind. That's a pun.

Having read some of the more significant/hyped exploits of Daredevil (Daredevil: Born Again TPB, Daredevil: Guardian Devil 10th Anniversary Edition Premiere HC) I can can recommend this with little hesitation.

This doesn't really compare well with the greatest adventures of Matt Murdock, but it's still pretty compelling. You've got a great new villainess in Lady Bullseye, the art is pretty outstanding, as well as a suspenseful story.

The only real negatives here are that the motivation behind Lady Bullseye and the Hand don't really make a whole lot of sense. Also, this is missing issue #116 (this volume collects issues 111-115) where Lady Bullseye attacks the Kingpin.

Having said this, I enjoyed the book and give it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

This is a two arc story involving the introduction of a new foe by the name of Lady Bullseye, loosely modeled on the character Bullseye. And her setting up shop in New York and Daredevils attempt to thwart her. The second arc involves a story regarding Matt Murdocks' affair with Dakota and the fall out from that.

It is the second arc which I found distasteful and sickening and caused me to strike off Daredevil as a hero.

If there is one unforgivable sin I have when it comes to comic books. Is for a writer to come along and arbitrarily write a character out of character in order to service the story that he or she wants to tell. I find it a sign of laziness and creative bankruptcy. And that is effectively what Brubaker has done in this story. He has changed Matt `Daredevil' Murdock from being an honest and honorable man who would never needlessly hurt a soul to a liar, and a dishonourable reprobate devoid of integrity.


In the `Window' arc. Matt makes the following statement about his belief regarding his view of marriage.

"....Then I resist the urge to go over there and yell at her (Mill-his wife) how marriage is a sacred bond that I do not take lightly!"


This is simply not just talk on Matt's part. During the story, Matt is actually presented with the opportunity to cheat on his wife not once but twice. But resists that temptation, because he still loved his wife and took his wedding vows seriously. But Ed Brubaker decided that everything that Matt said about his respect for marriage and love for his wife etc. Was all a lie, Because in jumps into bed with another woman and cheats on his wife without a second thought .Then to add insult to injury he compounds the damage and hurt he has inflicted by refusing to hand over custody of his sick wife (who he shows that he does not love by cheating on her) to her parents. This is completely opposite to the honourable character I was first introduced to.

I have always had a problem with Brubaker's DD run. I was actually alarmed by the way in which he had the previously focused and disciplined Murdock throwing temper tantrum after temper tantrum like a 4 year old child. Then there's Murdock's sudden penchant for dishonorable behaviour. And by the end of the issue we see that Brubaker's has done away with Matt's `radar sense', which enables him to pick up delicate noises. In this story Matt can not even detect a photographer snapping pictures outside his home.



I have heard it argued that Matt is acting this way because he is under stress. But Matt has been under greater amounts of stress and pressure and yet has still managed to control himself and rise to the occasion (see `Born Again' and `Out'). Yet Brubaker is trying to make the reader believe that Murdock is now unable to control himself now. Sorry, this doesn't wash with me.

This story left such a bad taste in my mouth that I dropped the book, and vowed to not touch anything with Ed Brubakers name attached to it. He completely destroyed Daredevil.