Murdock and Marvel: 1997 Part 2

Comics Over Time

Episode 45 - Murdock and Marvel: 1997 Part 2

We’ve got a pretty quiet week in comic terms, partly because everything has gone completely to the dogs, and there is a lot less happening than there was a few years ago. Still, I was surprised to find that 1997 had some pretty great things going on under the surface!

This is part 2 of the podcast. that will feature the year in Daredevil, the Spotlight story and the Takeaway for 1997.

The Year in Daredevil

Appearances: Daredevil #360-370, Daredevil #-1, Adventures of Spider-Man #10, Bug #1, Code of Honor #2-4, Punisher #17-18, Venom: On Trial #1-3, Marvel Valentine Special #1, Silver Surfer #128, Essential Spider-Man #2, Electra #-1, Ka-Zar #5 and 8, Uncanny Origins #13, Elektra #10-11 and 13, Marvel Heroes & Legends 1997 #1, Spider-Man El Hombre Arana #30, Spider-Man Unlimited #18, Thunderbolts #8 along with Daredevil/Batman, Untold Tales of Spider-Man ’97, Kingpin, Origin of Marvel Comics Revised Edition and Son of Origins of the Marvel Comics Revised Edition graphic novels

Writing: Karl Kesel (#360-364), Joe Kelly (#365-370 and #-1)

Pencils: Cary Nord (#360-362, 364-365), Gene Colan (#363, -1, 366-368, 370), Ariel Olivetti (#369)

Inks: Matt Ryan (#360-362, 364-365, -1), Cam Smith and Paul Neary (#363), Al Williamson (#366), Bud LaRosa (#367-368, 370), Pier Brito (#369)

• The year begins with Daredevil taking on the Absorbing Man as he tries to take down NYC with no Avengers to stop him. While that’s going on, we learn why Foggy was so keen on partnering with Rosalind Sharpe – she’s his biological mother.
• And it’s Sharpe who thinks Foggy and the firm need to play up Foggy’s “best bud” status with Daredevil – which leads to work for the firm as Molten Man (Mark Raxton) seeks help with break-ins at Osborne Chemicals. Daredevil is reunited with the Black Widow as the pair take down the Grey Gargoyle.
• We learn a bit about Rosalind’s Sharpe’s past after Daredevil saves her from an armed man in the firm’s lobby then follow’s her to visit the gangster responsible.
• Next we get a multi-book story involving a new villainous, Insomnia – he’s try to keep Daredevil and the rest of New York up at night. We eventually learn she’s working for Mr Fear – who himself is causing trouble by enlisting a friend of Molten Man to release a gas during a Osborn Chemicals boardroom meeting which causes Raxton to freak out and start tearing the place apart.
• Before we can get a resolution to Mr Fear, we get a Flashback issue of Daredevil (Daredevil #-1) in which Jack Murdock is taking his son Matt to college. This story, from writer Joe Kelly and art by Gene Colan and Matt Ryan is a lot of fun and will be our spotlight story of the week.
• Returning back to present time, Daredevil must, once again, deal with Mr Fear’s plotting – this time on Ryker’s Island when Fear releases a gas to start a prison riot. Daredevil must then take on new and improved Gladiator. (what happened to fear???)
• The year ends with a multi-book storyline called “widow’s Kiss” that starts with Daredevil helping a firm client who’s facing a hostile takeover by the Russians – only to have to tangle Omega Red. Black Widow comes to the aid of Daredevil only to then shoot him herself. She tries then save DD by bring him to Karen for help, before returning to meet with a Russian general we eventually learn she’s trying to take down. Despite just being shot, Daredevil goes after Widow and gets the pair captured. The story ends Daredevil escapes and convinces Ursa Major and Vanguard that they are being used by the General – and that he’s being running experiments on Vanguards sister – Darkstar.
• One other secondary story that ran through much of the year involves Foggy and Liz Osborne. Rosalind Sharpe isn’t pleased with their relationship and continually tries to undermine it – with other women. In the final book of the year Foggy and Liz's attempt to have a romantic evening together is derailed when he receives a constant stream of phone calls from other women.

This Week's Spotlight: Daredevil #-1 July 1997 “A Time to Say Farewell”

Recap

Why We Picked This Story

Daredevil Rapid Fire Questions

The Takeaway

Marvel messed up more than their own fortunes with their unwise expansions.

Questions or comments

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [e-mail] or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.

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THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING CREATORS AND RESOURCES

Music: Our theme music is by the very talented Lesfm. You can find more about them and their music at https://pixabay.com/users/lesfm-22579021/.

The Grand Comics Database: Dan uses custom queries against a downloadable copy of the GCD to construct his publisher, title and creator charts.

Comichron: Our source for comic book sales data.

The American Comic Book Chronicles: Published by TwoMorrows, these volumes provide an excellent analysis of American comics through the years. Because these volumes break down comic history by year and decade they are a great place to get a basic orientation on what is happening across the comic industry at a particular point in time.