Comic Review: Man Without Fear (2019) #2

Man Without Fear #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Jed MacKay

Artist: Stefano Landini

I was drawn to the Daredevil mythos because of the TV show. Went for the closest comic shop, got myself a compilation of Frank Miller’s story arcs and carried on my research from there, trying to read all the important arcs and classic ones. The character’s determination and commitment to his city and his mission. This is why I opted for writing this review. Because, even though this isn’t a very good Daredevil story so far, it appears to compose a good Matt Murdock one.

On the second part of this five-issue interlude, we’re still with Matt on the hospital bed. Right off the bat, we learn that Matt has put to mind that he’s not going to be Daredevil anymore. Even though it makes sense, because of how severely injured he got after the truck hit him, it’s been a known fact that Chip Zdarsky is going to write Daredevil after this interlude, which makes the whole “I’m quitting the mantle” discussion feels like a waste of time unless Zdarsky takes an exotic approach on the D.D. mythos.

Although the story is heading down a path that does feel a bit forced for Daredevil, we get a close and brilliantly written insight into Matt Murdock’s state of mind. MacKay conducts the storytelling through dialogue between Matt and friends alongside with what instantaneously feels like a very close and personal narration of Matt’s thoughts during those dialogues. Along with those moments, we get to see Matt alone with his thoughts in the hospital room, stuck, repeating the lessons about fear and pain he learned on the last issue out loud in what feels like a mind-numbing mantra yet again accompanied by the narration.

Each dialogue presents a possible different take on what Murdock could do without Daredevil in his life, either under an optimistic or a pessimistic view, neither of those come without judgment towards Murdock. Whether that judgment comes through a rhetorical question or a single offensive word, Matt is put clearly put on check. This all contributes an excellent work on displaying just how lost and afraid Matt is due to the prospect of not being Daredevil anymore.

Landini’s art gets the job done despite feeling like a downgrade if compared do Beyruth’s work on the first issue. The lighting is good as well as the character designs, but these were clearly inspired by the TV show which makes the artwork feel lacking in personality and style.

Man Without Fear #2 is an interesting issue because it shows the readers where it may head, establishing that this may be much more about the civilian persona of Daredevil instead of the hero himself. If this will develop as a good idea, no one can know. I’m betting (and hoping) that this will be a strong character development interlude setting grounds for an amazing and different run.