Daredevil 600: Show off Your Costume
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Mayor Fisk, Conclusion
Writer - Charles Soule, Artist - Ron Garney, Color Artist - Matt Milla, Letterer - VC's Clayton Cowles, Main Cover Artists - Dan Mora & Romulo Fajardo Jr., Assistant Editor - Annalise Bissa, Editor - Jordan D. White, Editor in Chief - C.B. Cebulski, Chief Creative Officer - Joe Quesada, President - Dan Buckley, Executive Producer - Alan Fine
Initial Reactions
I have been asking for more action for a few issues now. There has been some strong character work, but the conclusion of this arc brings all the action you could ask for. Now that I got it, I am not sure it was my favorite. We get a massive team-up with all the Hell's Kitchen heroes to take down the Kingpin and his network of crime lords. I had fun with the issue, but I felt like it was lacking some depth that we had been getting throughout this arc. This oversized anniversary issue is worth your time, and there are definitely some iconic panels throughout.
Just so you are aware, there was a backup story which served primarily as a tribute for Foggy. It is a nice little read, but we will stick to the main story for this post.
The Story
The issue opens on a rooftop in the Bronx, where we are introduced to our hero lineup of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist Echo, Misty Knight, Spider-Man, Moon Knight, and Luke Cage. They have come together for one singular mission, to take down Wilson Fisk. It is important to remember that the other heroes do not know Daredevil is really Matt Murdock.
On the next page we flash back to a little earlier in Hell's Kitchen. Daredevil is running through the plan for tonight. He essentially wants the group to go on a stakeout, allowing Daredevil to hear the incriminating details needed to alert the police. His fellow Defenders are not thrilled about trusting the intelligence provided by Murdock, but they agree to go along with the plan. We learn that one hero was missing from the meeting, Blindspot.
We go to a an important point of the last issue where Blindspot was being pushed off a roof by the Muse after he defaced one of his murals. Blindspot is able to grab hold of a fire escape stairway and begins climbing back up. The Muse was willing to focus on the bigger issues for the evening, but Blindspot wants to continue the fight now.
Meanwhile, the crime bosses are plotting at Sarno's restaurant on the Bronx. However the Kingpin is nowhere to be seen. In fact, overall, all of the bosses are pleased with the arrangements they have made, and are excited to carry it out. Listening in, Moon Knight is getting anxious, wanting to move in, but Daredevil insists that they wait until Fisk appears.
We go back to downtown where Blindspot and the Muse are coming to blows. The Muse quickly has Blindspot subdued, and he monologues about why he created his art and what his inspiration was. When he gets to his point, he postulates,
Back at Sarno's, the crime bosses are getting antsy waiting for Fisk. Black Cat believes he is wanting the bosses to kill each other. With the tensions rising inside, Misty Knight and Echo are becoming wary as the look on. As shots are about to be fired, Spider-Man grabs a gun with a web. He grabs the attention of a large portion of the mobsters, when he points out that Jessica, Luke, and Iron Fist is also here. Lastly, Moon Knight jumps through the ceiling to join the fray. Echo and Misty are caught off guard, but are not surprised that they are mounting an offensive.
As Daredevil looks on with his well-laid out plan now out the window, he notices cops entering the building. It becomes clear that this was not a setup for the crime bosses, but for the heroes. Costumed heroes are illegal, and this plan got all of New York's in one place. All of the heroes are convinced that Murdock is their chance to escape prison, and not giving away his identity, Daredevil promises to fix the predicament they are in.
Downtown, Blindspot is obliterating the Muse because of the power of the Beast. As he is about to kill him, Samuel decides not to kill him. This angers the Beast, but Blindspot stays firm. This angers the Muse as well since this takes the focus off of himself. In order to keep the focus on him, he walks into the flames on the roof and kills himself.
In Belvedere Castle, Fisk is getting an update on the sting operation from Wesley. It seems as if everyone is in custody, villains and heroes alike. Spider-Man glued his mask on with his webs, and Daredevil was not among the heroes. Fisk goes to the top of the castle because he believes Daredevil is there. He is right, and Daredevil demands release of the heroes. Instead, Fisk attempts to expose Daredevil's double standard, trying to prove that the only reason he even tried to spy on him was because of his name. He is able to avoid a swing from Fisk's hammer. Daredevil realizes that Fisk's next move is to hit himself with his hammer and blame it on him. He is able to stop him, reiterating that he will not lay a hand on him. Fisk sucker punches Daredevil in the gut and then violently swings the hammer against his back.
Fisk begins speaking at his rally to a boisterous crowd. He has the love of the city at this time, and he shares that his sting operation is a success, capturing crime bosses and vigilantes in one fell swoop. Just as he was reveling in his victory, Mayor Fisk is shot with an arrow, then multiple arrows. The warriors of the Hand descends on the park.
As he is being loaded into a police van, he overhears that the Hand took out Fisk. He realizes that this was all from the Beast to get the attention of Daredevil. Steve Cornish, the man helping Matt read through the old laws on the books, reveals that due to an obscure law Matt Murdock is now the acting mayor.
Meanwhile, the crime bosses are plotting at Sarno's restaurant on the Bronx. However the Kingpin is nowhere to be seen. In fact, overall, all of the bosses are pleased with the arrangements they have made, and are excited to carry it out. Listening in, Moon Knight is getting anxious, wanting to move in, but Daredevil insists that they wait until Fisk appears.
We go back to downtown where Blindspot and the Muse are coming to blows. The Muse quickly has Blindspot subdued, and he monologues about why he created his art and what his inspiration was. When he gets to his point, he postulates,
"All the heroes. Playing their little punch punch kick kick games, so sure they matter. It's a delusion, don't you get it? They're all just performers in a play, complete with costumes. You too, Blindspot. A beautiful shared delusion. I love it."Just as the Muse is about to finish off Blindspot, Samuel is summoned by The Beast. This was the creature who restored his sight in exchange for obedience. He urges Blindspot to use his power, which is enough for him to overpower the Muse. The last thing we see is Samuel stomping the Muse's face.
Back at Sarno's, the crime bosses are getting antsy waiting for Fisk. Black Cat believes he is wanting the bosses to kill each other. With the tensions rising inside, Misty Knight and Echo are becoming wary as the look on. As shots are about to be fired, Spider-Man grabs a gun with a web. He grabs the attention of a large portion of the mobsters, when he points out that Jessica, Luke, and Iron Fist is also here. Lastly, Moon Knight jumps through the ceiling to join the fray. Echo and Misty are caught off guard, but are not surprised that they are mounting an offensive.
As Daredevil looks on with his well-laid out plan now out the window, he notices cops entering the building. It becomes clear that this was not a setup for the crime bosses, but for the heroes. Costumed heroes are illegal, and this plan got all of New York's in one place. All of the heroes are convinced that Murdock is their chance to escape prison, and not giving away his identity, Daredevil promises to fix the predicament they are in.
Downtown, Blindspot is obliterating the Muse because of the power of the Beast. As he is about to kill him, Samuel decides not to kill him. This angers the Beast, but Blindspot stays firm. This angers the Muse as well since this takes the focus off of himself. In order to keep the focus on him, he walks into the flames on the roof and kills himself.
In Belvedere Castle, Fisk is getting an update on the sting operation from Wesley. It seems as if everyone is in custody, villains and heroes alike. Spider-Man glued his mask on with his webs, and Daredevil was not among the heroes. Fisk goes to the top of the castle because he believes Daredevil is there. He is right, and Daredevil demands release of the heroes. Instead, Fisk attempts to expose Daredevil's double standard, trying to prove that the only reason he even tried to spy on him was because of his name. He is able to avoid a swing from Fisk's hammer. Daredevil realizes that Fisk's next move is to hit himself with his hammer and blame it on him. He is able to stop him, reiterating that he will not lay a hand on him. Fisk sucker punches Daredevil in the gut and then violently swings the hammer against his back.
Fisk begins speaking at his rally to a boisterous crowd. He has the love of the city at this time, and he shares that his sting operation is a success, capturing crime bosses and vigilantes in one fell swoop. Just as he was reveling in his victory, Mayor Fisk is shot with an arrow, then multiple arrows. The warriors of the Hand descends on the park.
As he is being loaded into a police van, he overhears that the Hand took out Fisk. He realizes that this was all from the Beast to get the attention of Daredevil. Steve Cornish, the man helping Matt read through the old laws on the books, reveals that due to an obscure law Matt Murdock is now the acting mayor.
Final Thoughts
This issue was a lot of fun. I continue to love learning about the chess match of wits between the Kingpin and Daredevil. I will be interested to see what they come up with for the next arc. I appreciated the parallel between the Muse's ramblings about purpose and the sting operation. At first, we want to think that the Muse is just being an arrogant "artist", but when we see our heroes fall into Kingpin's trap, it makes you wonder if he has a point.
In our life, we do not need to wear a cape, cowl, or spandex to be a hero in our communities. However, our Lord does clothe us in white as those saved by Christ (Revelation 7:9-17). He also gives us the armor of God to defend against those who threaten our soul (Ephesians 6:10-18). How will you use your armor and show off your awesomely white robes?
What did you think of this issue? I would love to talk about it with you. You can comment below, or find me @behindthecapes on Twitter, or by liking the Behind the Capes Facebook page. Also, something new, Behind the Capes has a group called Behind the Capes' Nerd Out Round Table, where we talk about a bunch of geeky stuff. It is technically a closed group, but anyone can join if they agree to the simple rules laid out in the group. I would love for this group to grow!
What did you think of this issue? I would love to talk about it with you. You can comment below, or find me @behindthecapes on Twitter, or by liking the Behind the Capes Facebook page. Also, something new, Behind the Capes has a group called Behind the Capes' Nerd Out Round Table, where we talk about a bunch of geeky stuff. It is technically a closed group, but anyone can join if they agree to the simple rules laid out in the group. I would love for this group to grow!
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