"Devil's Advocate," Daredevil #179 (Feb. 1982)
Dear Mesers. Miller and Janson,
Yet another fan letter comes your way, this one inspired by Daredevil #178. At Phil Seuling's recent comic convention in New York City, Jim Shooter spoke very highly of your current work on this title, and it's easy to see why. Daredevil is emerging as one of Marvel's most compelling and exciting characters of all time, thanks to your combined genius.
This issue was full of interesting counterpoints. The two-page scene at Wall-Eyed Pike's, from the initial tooth-brushing episode down to Pike's thwarted move to New Jersey (of all places!), had me laughing out loud, providing a needed humorous balance to the dark severity of DD's current situation. Another intriguing counterpoint plays off Heather Glenn's attempts to find her man vs. Elektra's stalking protection of her first and only love.
While I'm on the subject of women in Daredevil's life, let me say that I've never been too fond of Heather or her social leanings, and was glad when the dynamic Elektra burst in on the scene, if for no other reason than to give DD an alternative love interest. Yet, with issue #176, even though Heather absurdly complains of being late for a concert while her supposed love one is struggling with the fact of his real blindness, she does go out after him, into the seedier parts of town, to help him in any way she can. This gives Heather a lot more in the way of guts than I would have credited her with, and consequently fleshes out her previously limp, high-society characterization. (But would she have pulled a gun on Snuff — and successfully???)
Another beautiful balance occurs between the quick Daredevil/Turk fight and the Elektra/Kirigi confrontation. Your portrayals of violence flow smoothly, without superfluous verbal patter, and with a kind of controlled passion.
Your midnight, storm-wrought settimng, tightly suspenseful plots, superb shadowy artwork, and the poetic starkness of the writing all serve to highlight your dramatic conceptualization of DD as the darknight devil. Many thanks to you both for such excellent work.
– Diana Schutz
524 Lakeshore Road
Beaconsfield, Quebec
Canada H9W 4J7
"Devil's Advocate," Daredevil #180 (March 1982)
Dear Frank & Klaus,
Daredevil #177 was yet another visual masterpiece, though not quite as "offbeat" a storyline as its cover promised. This is not the first time that Daredevil has confronted his own personal demons and overcome them. Nor would I surmise that he has vanquished them entirely. (Do we ever really completely exorcise our inner devils? Or, do we merely lay them to rest for the moment, garnering our strength to face them when they raise their horned heads, as inevitably they will, again and again?)
Still, the story was saved from being simply a rehash of DD's battles with his own darker side by your careful balancing of other current, intriguing plot threads: Heather's ambivalence regarding her relationship with Matt, the tie-in to the Kingpin's plans for domination with the law offices of Nelson and Murdock, not to mention an insight into a more serious, heretofore unrevealed side of J. Jonah Jameson. (Since when has Jameson ever cared about publishing only the facts? Or is he finally learning something about responsible journalism?)
And Elektra. Re-surfacing in those last few panels, she continues to be shrouded in mystery — as are your and the Kingpin's plans for her — leaving the reader hungering for more. Although I'm dying to see more of her, a good deal of her strength as a character stems from your slow and tantalizing presentation of her, giving your readers just enough fodder for speculation without satisfying our appetite. You've made Elektra one of Marvel's most fascinating characters — and I'd hate to see her become whitewashed and bland through over-exposure. Well, I suppose I shouldn't have any worries on that score — your track record speaks highly for you, indeed.
Another 30 days to wait. On tenderhooks. Thanks, guys!
– Diana Schutz
524 Lakeshore Road
Beasonsfield, Quebec
Canada H9W 4J7
"Titans Tower," New Teen Titans #17 (March 1982)
Dear Marv, George & Len:
Let me forewarn you, this is going a gushy fan letter. I left DC comics behind sometime in the late '60s in favor of boys and parties and the generally new world of female adolescence. And when I re-entered the four-color domain during the '70's, I never did return to the DC fold. Until last April in California when I was told Wolfman and Perez were hot. Deciding to see for myself, I picked up all the new issues of The New Teen Titans. Thus began my personal DC renaissance, and I soon branched out into reading several other titles. DC certainly has come a long way in the last decade.
But the Titans are far and away the cream of the DC crop — of any crop, in fact. You have both done a terrific job in resurrecting a twice-buried team. And after attending an interview with you last July at Phil Seuling's convention, it is easy to see why. You both seem so enthusiastic about your characters — and that enthusiasm fairly bursts out of every page of the magazine. You so obviously care about the Titans, and that care consistently translates into real depth of characterization, smoothly flowing yet always gripping storylines and absolutely outstanding artwork. Let me say, George, that your recent scenes of Paradise Island are just breathtakingly beautiful.
Now, here you are with issue #13, entering your second, indeed, sensational year. The few glimpses into Koriand'r's past with the Warlords of Okaara were tantalizing. I hope to be seeing more in the future. Anyway, whatever you have in store for our group in the coming year I have faith in your ability to keep up the high quality level of this comic. I have yet to be disappointed.
Gentlemen, congratulations on your success. You're not only hot, you're a freakin' nuclear explosion.
– Diana Schutz
524 Lakeshore Road
Beasonsfield, Quebec
Canada H9W 4J7
"Strange Mails," Doctor Strange #55 (October 1982)
Roger, Marshall and Terry:
Doctor Strange #53 was a gorgeous book — a lasting tribute to your six-issue run. The Gnits were an absolute delight, with their humorous situational/psychological analyses and their narrative asides, they added welcome levity to the story. The danger in a series such as Doctor Strange is a tendency toward the ponderous and pretentious… a side-effect of the mystical themes involved. The charm of the Gnits, on the other hand, provides a perfect balance to the mage's heavy seriousness.
I'm not sure what to make of Clea's departure. I can't quite believe anyone would be so noble. I have to say, however, that Stephen's reaction to Clea's leave-taking was just stunning. That beautiful end sequence imbued the Doctor with much more humanity than he's shown of late. If I'd ever had reason to question his love for Clea — given his overwhelming concern for things mystic and his seeming neglect of things emotional — the last page of this issue has dispelled all a doubt. This is a man in torment.
Marshall... Terry... your graphics were superb, as always. Your Doctor Strange is very reminiscent of Ditko, and yet still entirely you own. And your FF a la Kirby were an enchanting treat this issue. I'll really miss your work together.
Nevertheless, I'll be looking forward to future issues in the hope that the aesthetic excellence of the past year will continue to be maintained.
– Diana Schutz
6616 Telegraph Avenue, #103
Oakland, CA 94609