Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Marc Laming
Cover by Dan Panosian
Published April 19, 2017
Cover by Dan Panosian
Published April 19, 2017
Matt Murdock finds himself in a strange bar, only now he can see. He talks with the purple bartender who tells him that at Zeb's, anything can happen. He asks him to play a game called "Worst Thing That Can Happen..". In it, he asks his subjects to just quickly describe the worst possible thing they could imagine. As the reader pans the room, we see almost every manifestation of Daredevil ever. He looks up at the TV with screens trying to get his attention but the following page reveals Daredevil in the Purple Man's layer. He tells him he no longer makes it about what HE wants his victims to do, but more about what they would never want to do. He explains to his hypnotized victim how his machine works - using his children's powers to amplify his own while he keeps prying.
The earliest incarnation of Daredevil speaks up. The worst thing is about failing the ones you love and experiencing their deaths because of that failure. He begins to get into it with a flashier version of the man without fear as the real Murdock watches the television.. a dark program where Kirsten asks Matt what he's doing. Killgrave asks her not to ruin the surprise while Daredevil tells him that he could do better. Back at the bar, the bartender tells him he believes him while the fights around him continue. Another of Daredevil's past selves points at the TV, telling him he's making it too complicated. A news program plays with the crawl reading "This Isn't Real, Matt..". Back in real life, Zeb asks Matt what he's waiting for and he tells him he's listening to various crimes occurring in the city: A mugging, criminal mischief, a potential suicidal person thinking of jumping. Back at the bar, the incarnations of his mind fight each other - one telling him that the worst thing has to be extreme and Matt agrees. Zeb likes the sound of it.
Daredevil asks Killgrave at the machine about how it can control everyone - issuing chaos everywhere and the Purple Man agrees it can. He dials up mass destruction all across the world. The reader sees the Avengers fighting a battle the whole world over. Satisfied, Killgrave asks him now what and Murdock tells him that's it. He knows everything is falling apart and he does nothing. Enraged, the Purple Man threatens him while all the Daredevil incarnations evolve into his true self. Back in control, he attacks Killgrave - possibly taking it too far.
At the confessional, Father Jordan asks Matt if he killed him and Matt tells him no. He frees the purple children and tells them he must go and protect his fiancé amongst what he thinks is a world gone mad. The children discuss a plan to do something for him in return for helping them - and with that, we're left to be concluded.
When you read a ton of comics, it's hard to stay on top of which ones you really like and which ones you don't. Scanning Comichron to see if your favorites are best sellers, I usually find my perferred titles lower on the list. This is an example of a book that doesn't get it's due. Charles Soule is a fantastic writer. And while I've criticized basic artwork before, this is one where using so much black and dark colors, the hues and contrast really do set the mood. Compared to the current Punisher, X-Men Blue, and Deadpool - this title should be smoking them. This current story arc turned out to be awesome and while being somewhat unnoticed, continues to be among Marvel's best. I give this one a 9/10.
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Until next time, thanks so much for reading.
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