Obsessively putting our comics in chronological order since 1985.
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Daredevil #277
Issue(s): Daredevil #277
Cover Date: Feb 90
Title: "Of crowns and horns"
Credits:
Ann Nocenti - Writer
Rick Leonardi - Penciler
Al Williamson - Inker
Mike Rockwitz - Assistant Editor
Ralph Macchio - Editor
Review/plot:
I assume to give John Romita Jr. a head start on the Mephisto/Blackheart that runs from #278-282, this issue features fill-in art by Rick Leonardi, and is set in the past, prior to Daredevil leaving New York.
It's a story of just absolute madness. It's literally about a woman who is mentally ill...
...and her husband, a psychiatrist that is also treating her, except that he's using his position as a doctor to manipulate and control his wife.
But it's also written in Ann Nocenti's characteristic style, where everyone's dialogue is a mishmosh of emotions and subconscious thoughts, so the madness is also inflicted directly on us.
Daredevil gets involved basically at random, and he eventually convinces the doctor to let his wife see another psychiatrist.
I can't handle stuff like this. The husband is psychologically manipulating the wife, but he also really loves her, but he's also just clinically fascinated with her case. But this woman is obviously seriously ill, to the point where she's seeing things. She probably should be hospitalized, and the husband prosecuted for malpractice. A lot of symbols are thrown at us. A lot of impressions, and weirdness. But there's nothing for Daredevil to do, and no real story here. I know some people like that, and like Nocenti's Daredevil run. But i find stuff like this extremely aggravating.
Quality Rating: C-
Historical Significance Rating: 1
Chronological Placement Considerations: "This very special little tale occurs prior to DD's recent departure from New York". Daredevil leaves New York in issue #267. I've placed this between Daredevil #266-267; any earlier than that and we have to contend with the fact that Daredevil was wearing bandages due to his injuries prior to Inferno.
References: N/A
Crossover: N/A
Continuity Insert? N
My Reprint: N/A
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Comments
This was the first Nocenti Daredevil story I actually read, and I really enjoyed it. Ironically enough, unlike latter Nocenti stuff I've read, I actually understood this story as a kid. One thing I liked was that all the involved characters are rendered sympathetic (yes, even the jerk husband) despite the fact that this is clearly a condemnation of modern psychiatry (Note the hilarious scene in the psychiatrist office where his patient is basically diagnosing herself while his attention is elsewhere, a sign that this implied rich woman us basically paying to hear herself babble.)
As for whether Daredevil was needed, generally, no. Symbolically, however, his presence was needed for ironic juxtaposition. (See, the only one that can SEE what the problem is between these two is a BLIND person. Get it? Ha ha ha?) Actually I think Daredevil being an imposition works well in his favor, since Matt came across a caring man who wanted to help these unfortunate people, even though he technically didn't have to.
I just thought this was a nice one-off little tale. Even as a fairly new Daredevil reader, though, I could tell this was a fill-in.
