Daredevil 274

Bombs and Lemonade by Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr

One Sentence Overview:  Whilst Brandy and Number Nine argue over the role of women, Skip Ash turns up to try to take control... like a man!

If you're not a fan of writers deliberately shoehorning in socio-political comment, specifically about issues such as feminism and patriarchy, then, as the previous episodes have directed, this current storyline really wouldn't be your cup of tea.  And, as this issue well demonstrates, Ann hasn't finished yet.

The story title refers to the slightly contradictory nature of Number Nine, the resident 'male fantasy', both in terms of looking stunning and fighting ability.  Here, she literally prepares both for her companions, Daredevil and Brandy, and holds each aspect of her personality in equal regard.

As revealed in the last review, this is driving Brandy nuts and things come to a head here with both girls ending up in a physical scrap.  I couldn't help thinking this was a peculiar situation for a feminist like Brandy to get herself into, but I guess one can appreciate her ire - she has to put up with a great insult from Number Nine: when she tells Daredevil she's ready for action, Nine retorts, "You don't look ready - your hair is a mess!". 

Once again, here, Nine is fawning over Daredevil like a lovesick puppy and Brandy's assessment that she's sending the women's movement back to the stone age does not seem entirely unreasonable.  Still, the scene is a very strange one.  In fact, the way it's written ends up with Daredevil on the sidelines, a wry grin on his face, almost with a "Women, eh?" aside to the readership. 

I doubt any male writer would have been so bold and I'm not entirely sure Ann gets away with it either.  One has to admire Ann attempting to be even handed with Number Nine's arguments here too, pointing out as she does to Brandy that some women like the caring role (in the same way some men like to care for the woman in their lives, I guess).

Things perhaps become even more confused when Skip turns up later and argues that Brandy is as bad as he is because she uses illegal methods to achieve her aims - something that actually appears to mollify Brandy to a degree.  Well, there is a point there but Skip was indulging in human trafficking and I'm not sure Brandy's reactions to this were entirely inappropriate as a result.

Even stranger is the introduction of Skip in this issue, revealing some more brave writing by Ann.  Skip bemoans the lack of success that the power of the CIA and tech nut Shotgun have had with retrieving his dream woman.  Therefore he resolves that he will tackle the girls and Daredevil himself, on his own... with only "his manhood" as weapon.  As Skip stands admiring himself in the mirror, we're left in no doubt as to what he means!

Indeed, when Skip does turn up, it appears that "his manhood" does mesmerise the two girls.  Due to her programming, Number Nine is uncertain as to whether to fight him or not, whereas surprisingly Brandy suddenly leaps to her father's defense when she sees he's taking a beating at Daredevil's hands. 

I should point out that Skip's manhood doesn't literally do anything (thank goodness) but the figurative and philosophical nature of what's being written about here is, well, not what one normally expects from this genre of storytelling. 

There's so much going on here in terms of sociological and psychological theories that the issues sometimes become quite confused - indeed, never mind the manhood, everyone seems rendered impotent by the end of the issue as each character's arguments fly back and forth, with their 'you're no better than me' accusations until everyone's glad that things are resolved by the sudden appearance of the Inhumans.

Ah, the Inhumans - I'd nearly forgotten about them!  They've been skulking in the background for three issues now with the reader on tenterhooks about what the connection with our main cast could be.  Well, we don't move much further forward this issue (they only turn up right at the end) but what we do see is another key feminist argument, articulated early on by Medusa, who reflects on her powerlessness upon losing her apparently genetically flawed child.  The text accompanying this is very revealing, talking of how Medusa wanted to fight for the right to control her own body, a key aspect of sexual politicking and even abortion rights. 

Yes, it's just a couple of frames but once again Ann successfully puts forward grievances about the treatment of women in this unexpected medium and, whilst this issue is not an unqualified success, her continued daringness is to be applauded.  And, hey, isn't that kind of appropriate in a comic called 'Daredevil'?

Cast
Daredevil/Matt Murdock

Number Nine
Brandy Ash
Skip Ash
Black Bolt
Medusa
Karnak
Gorgon
Lockjaw

Rating: 7 out of 10