Daredevil 276

The Hundred Heads of Ultron by Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr

One Sentence Overview: Daredevil and the Inhumans team up to attempt to rescue Number Nine from the clutches of the confused robot, Ultron 13

Last issue, I felt that Ann was referencing Bride of Frankenstein such was the relationship between Ultron and Number Nine and his search for the perfect woman.  This issue, which, as the title infers, includes lots of robotic heads scattered everywhere (something to do with Ultron searching for his true, unsullied identity), has another obvious filmic reference.  As Ultron and Number Nine ascend a skull strewn mound, one is immediately drawn to the final scenes in King Kong, with the huge ape atop the Empire State Building with his precious vulnerable captive.

Number Nine isn't as frail, though, as Fay Wray's character in the old classic.  Indeed, here, she continues to confound Skip's programming and develops more independence, unexpectedly able to out-think Ultron's plans, making him realise that his plans to guard and keep safe Number Nine conflict with her right to freedom. 

Ultron is moved by this, his flawed programming a byproduct of Dr Doom's plans last issue to hone his ruthlessness by attempting to add a kind of conscience.  The robot becomes confused, frustrated that his circuitry is in conflict with making him and Number Nine happy and thus begins an internal examination to rid himself of that which might lead to hatred. 

It's a complex idea but basically reveals that Ultron is more childlike (apelike?) than adult - he cannot accept that he cannot always be happy and perfect.  Ultimately this leads to him feeling that the problem is in his head and therefore, logically, decides to decapitate himself.

This act of self-destruction is just as well because Daredevil (remember him?) is well out of his league here.  Like Sisyphus, Daredevil (accompanied by two equally inefficient Inhumans) rolls up the hill to try to fight Ultron only for the robot to continually knock him back to earth again and again.

But really this issue isn't about Daredevil - or even Ultron (and in some ways there's not a lot to the story).  Instead it's where it finally appears that Number Nine is ready to challenge and move beyond her grim programming.  Like Fay Wray, it's her compassion that finally wins over and mollifies the monster.  There is a peculiar coda where Nine retrieves Ultron's head, hoping she can eventually revive the robot, revealing both a humanity and possibly a naive hope in redeeming love. 

Actually, I'm really beginning to like Number Nine.

Cast
Daredevil/Matt Murdock

Number Nine
Brandy Ash
Skip Ash
Karnak
Gorgon
Ultron 13

Rating: 6 out of 10