In the previous issue, Mr. Hyde and Cobra have re-teamed. Instead of battling Thor, both go up against the Man Without Fear. Hyde concocts a formula that is intended to render Daredevil blind. Unknown to the villains, since Daredevil is already sightless, the chemical strips Matt Murdock of his radar-like abilities.
Starting from where things left off, Mr. Hyde and his partner in crime are about to strike when the New York Police Department charges into the warehouse doubling as a criminal lair giving Daredevil a chance to escape. However, without his billy-club/white cane hybrid walking device, Daredevil is unable to make his way home. His stumbling attracts the attention of the populace, leading Daredevil to pose as Mike Murdock in order to convince friends Foggy and Karen that any reports of a possibly blind Daredevil is not linked to actual blind person Matt Murdock!
After convincing what has got to be two thirds of the most gullible law firm in all of New York, Daredevil must then fool Mr. Hyde and Cobra into believing that their compound didn't work and that the hero still has sight. With help from Foggy, Daredevil travels a tightrope strung between two buildings rather poorly. Yet the villains interpret the protagonist's clumsiness as showing-off and they retreat from their latest caper. Daredevil thinks he's bought some time and has Nelson escort him home. The chapter ends with Foggy being kidnapped by an unseen force and Cobra now pretending to be Daredevil's assistant.
Speaking of gullibility, can Matt Murdock, who has been blind since childhood, really be fooled by the voice of Cobra as to being best friend, Foggy Nelson? It remains to be seen and in reality, it's pretty doubtful that he can be tricked. However, it's implied from the cliffhanger that everything is a-okay with Daredevil and fans should be terrified at the prospect of the Man Without Fear helplessly being at the clutches of his foes.
Fans of the Silver Age Daredevil, such as humorist Fred Hembeck, have pointed to issue #8, the first appearance of Stilt-Man, as the most absurd moment in the character's early history. This issue written by Stan Lee could easily be a contender for that distinction. The prospective cliffhanger is laughable. Did Stan the Man really think fans wouldn't expect Daredevil to know when he's being hoodwinked? A more plausible pause that would elicit an elevated heart rate would have a snipe aiming at the now super-powerless Daredevil. Just because Daredevil lost his radar ability, the change should not have diminished the enhanced hearing and other senses Matt Murdock has picked up since losing his sight.
The artwork by Gene Colan saves this ludicrous issue from being a total lemon. John Tartaglione adds a smoothness to the dynamic artwork with his inks in panels that scream mid-1960s stylish Manhattan. Lettering by Artie Simek. Cover art by Colan with John Romita Sr. and Frank Giacoia.
Completing this review completes Task #17 (A Daredevil Story) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.
Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.
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