NYCC: DAREDEVIL PANEL

NEW YORK COMIC CON

THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR MAKES HIS TRIUMPHANT RETURN

by: Mohamed Mohamed

Jeph Leoph moderated the Daredevil panel for the 2014 Comic Con and introduced the new panel members. Those involved on the panel included Steve DeKnight, the show-runner, Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Vincent D’Onofrio (Kingpin), and Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson). Afterwards, Leoph announced new cast members, such as Toby Leonard Moore (John Wick) as Wesley, Ayelet Zurer (Lara from Man of Steel) as Vanessa, Bob Gunton (The Shawshank Redemption) as Leland Owlsly (known to comic readers as The Owl), and Vondie Curtis-Hall as reporter Ben Urich.

One of the more interesting reveals was which character Rosario Dawson would play. Dawson plays the role of Claire, a medic for injured superheroes. Claire is known to have been a girlfriend to Luke Cage within the comics. Dawson’s character seems to have also been inspired by Linda Carter’s character Night Nurse, as she was also a medic.

Afterwards, we were shown for the first time some footage of “Daredevil.” SPOILERS TO FOLLOW!!

We were introduced to Karen Page walking into her apartment with a bloodstain on the floor. As she moves to leave, a man, known as Wesley, appears from the shadows and attacks her. He then whips out a switchblade and attempts to kill her. Matt Murdock appears dressed in black, similar to the outfit worn in the Man Without Fear comic, and a vicious showdown ensues. Matt is able to grab the phone that falls from Wesley before both fall out of the window, crashing into the alley below. Matt tries to get up but can’t and faints in the road as the rain pours from above.

After the panel viewers were shown an extended video, which included a look back into Matt’s past where Matt is seen talking to his dad as a little boy. Matt wakes in the alley, and the brutal brawl then continues until Matt finds a chain and wraps it around Wesley. Another scene from the video shows Matt waking up on Claire’s couch. She has removed his mask in order to work on his injuries, which include three broken ribs and a puncture wound. Matt asks her why she didn’t just call the cops instead of helping him, especially since his identity has been revealed by her removal of his mask. Claire says she has her own reasons for not calling the cops, and that he reminds her of an ex-boyfriend.

Another clip from the video is of Wilson Fisk at an art gallery staring at a painting alone. As he is staring at the painting, a woman, called Vanessa, approaches him to ask what he thinks of the painting. She wants to know how it makes him feel. The scene that follows is one of the most humanizing scenes of a villain I have ever seen. He honest reply is that it makes him feel alone. This shows that the show isn’t just about Matt becoming the hero known as the Daredevil, but it is also about how Fisk becomes one of the most powerful men and villains. The portrayal of his origins as a villain is a great idea because it can be fleshed out more in a show than a two-hour movie. It gives the characters more time to develop and unfold as three-dimensional beings.

The last time I touched anything Daredevil related was the 2003 Daredevil movie directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Since then, every time I hear Daredevil, I can’t help but be wary. After viewing some of the footage of the series and hearing what will be happening on the show, I have become much more optimistic.

After showing some of the footage of the series and hearing some of what is going to be happening on the show have made me more optimistic. The fact that this show will be an origins story for not only Daredevil himself, but also for KIngpin, makes it an appealing show for viewers. It will be able to show how Fisk ends up being the ruthless man known as the Kingpin, while Matt becomes the vigilante hero known as Daredevil. It is a good juxtaposition of the two characters and how they came to be. Since this series will be airing on Netflix gives it much more creative freedom and allows for more violence to appear in the show. This is actually a good thing because it shows the darker side of the Marvel comic. I, for one, am very excited for this show to air on Netflix.

Extras from Hell’s Kitchen

by: Anthony Zangrillo

While one of our intrepid reviewers braved the panel crowd at the Main Stage of New York Comic Con,  I was lucky enough to win a Daredevil cast signing of the exclusive concept art, made by Marvel Chief Creative Officer (and Daredevil fan) Joe Quesada.  Many of our readers have heard about the commotion surrounding the drawing for this signing, however let me assure you that Marvel did not do anything wrong!  When the convention opened up on Saturday morning, the avid vigilante fans rushed to the Marvel booth to secure their place in line for the drawing.  Unfortunately, some immature adults tried to cut the line, even attempting to push over young children.  I avoided most of this calamity, because I was towards the back of the line.  After a half hour when most of the usurpers left the area, Marvel began the drawing.  As I approached the passionate events staff, I eagerly anticipated my chance to win this contest.  I placed my hand within the contest bag and picked up an event card, yet as I was about to pull it out of the bag, I decided to switch cards with a different one within the bag.  The card that I eventually chose was one of thirty Daredevil signing winners (I swear that I didn’t peak).  I returned later that day and got to meet the entire cast and receive the limited edition Joe Quesada designed concept art.  I really enjoyed talking with Vincent D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox.  Cox laughed when I told him that I still haven’t gotten over Owen Sleater’s death in Boardwalk Empire.  Even though I wasn’t able to attend the panel, this coverage has me very excited for the upcoming Netflix series!!!