Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Where's the Trade? Karl Kesel's Daredevil (1996-1997)


On this episode, I rhetorically as the question 'Where's the Trade?' of writer Karl Kesel's run on Daredevil from the mid-90s.  In my mind, this run was a 'back to basics' approach to a character who was at the time in desperate need of it.  In addition to speaking generally about the run, I'll be recapping & commenting on my favorite issue from this run, Daredevil #360 in which our hero takes on the menace of the Absorbing Man!

Download this episode HERE!

Karl Kesel interview on manwithoutfear.com

Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play!

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Thanks for listening!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran

DD's senses perceive Creel's switch from brick to cold metal

A refreshingly understated revelation tucked at the bottom of the page

Love the way Nord/Ryan's cowl hugs DD's face

Is this an artistic tribute? I sense a Hulk/Thor battle referenced here

Crusher Creel, ancient statue

2 comments:

Justin said...

Your history with this run, even the discovery of it, mirrors my own. I was often fascinated by hornhead but found earlier books to dark. Then I discovered issue 352 (which takes place an issue before the start of this run) It is also a fun if odd one shot sort of issue. While I don't disagree with your assessment that Kesel's chunk of the series is light-hearted. It could also be brutal. DD was often in over his head. I can remember an issue featuring the Enforcers where Kesel goes into great detail over the injuries that a chained and beaten DD had suffered. I would love to see Kesel and Nord on a series again, I think of them both as immense talents

This run made me a fan, and made Daredevil my favorite character, but I don't collect the title or read it all that often. While I love this little pocket in time for the character, I find it has passed for most fans. They prefer Miller, Bendis or Brubaker (or perhaps Soule) and while I enjoy those runs they simply can't hold a candle to this 12 issue arc for me.

Silly as it might be I find this similar to my love for Raphael. I absolutely love the Rob Paulsen 80s cartoon take, but you won't find that little to anywhere else, and most die-hard fans prefer the darker version. So, I also have a favorite turtle that I enjoy immensely and yet rarely seek out. Because most of the time the character is a stark contrast.

marksweeneyjr said...

Yes, good point! Kesel's run wasn't ALL laughs, but I guess just *seems* so 'light-hearted' in contrast to everything else - I could have done a better job pointing that out.

I totally understand & appreciate your comparison between DD & the Ninja Turtles - thanks for taking the time to write, Justin!