Without Fear

Ed Brubaker’s "Without Fear" was concluded in Daredevil 105, and it has been a doozy of a ride for the man without fear. "Without Fear" started after the forgettable "To The Devil, His Due" arc, which was after the brilliant "The Devil Takes a Ride" whose roots could be traced all the way to Bendis’ arc, sending Matt to jail.

In Ed Brubaker’s initial run in Daredevil, "The Devil in Cell Block D" I thought it was spectacular. Each issue was amazing, action-filled and necessary yet mysterious enough to hold my attention. The whole arc could be read issue by issue each month, and it was a very fulfilling experience. One could also read the arc in TPB form and it would be even better, because of the fluidity of it all.

"Without Fear." however, is not like that. Each issue seemed lacking something. Not that they were bad, or anything, because the issues were still very edgy and explosive, but I knew Brubaker could dish it out better. Why? Because each chapter just made everything more and more confusing. Less answers and revelations were being found and more questions being raised in each passing issue until the conclusion. There were even some things that traced way back to "The Devil Takes a Ride."

In the arc, DD goes up against the enigmatic Mr. Fear, and the latter is trying to make the former’s life a living hell by any means necessary. Fear attacked Matt from all angles, into a lot of aspects into his life. And as a lot of DD fans know, the more turmoil Matt’s life is in, the more we want to see him break loose and unleash the devil on his opponents.

"Without Fear" is best enjoyed was amazing as an entire arc, as a collection and not an issue-by-issue thing because each issue was just lack luster. All the questions get answered in the final issue of the arc, and you just go "ooooohhhh, that’s why!"

The way Bru injected Bendis’ current main villian, The Hood, was a touch of genius at first. I thought his inclusion was going to be a lot more than just a plot device, but alas, Hood being there was absolutely unnecessary, but it was a beautiful touch none the less.

I love how it ends, too. Daredevil wins, but he doesn’t win. Fear has accomplished what he wanted to, and Matty boy has been hurled back into his own private hell he calls his life. He may have kicked Fear’s butt and pretty much disbanded his small army, but Fear has already taken Milla’s sanity and has ruined Lily’s life. And, like Lily’s condition, from way back in "The Devil Takes A Ride," which is explained in the last issue, Fear now has an aura of terror that surrounds him.

Kudos to Mr. Brubaker for reinventing this character to make him one of Matt’s most dangerous adversaries. I defintely recommend you pick this up in TPB or HC format. It’s great issue to issue, but the arc itself is magnificent. It’s beautifully crafted. The dialouge flows smoothly and the art is as dynamic as you would expect from Michael Lark.