I figured that SHADOWLAND would have some huge repercussions for Daredevil and his little corner of the Marvel Universe, but I didn’t figure it'd mean the end of his own title! Just read this solicit for November's issue #512…
A SHADOWLAND TIE-IN: FINAL ISSUE! Years of acting as the Guardian Devil of Hell’s Kitchen have taken their toll on The Man Without Fear. Hell’s Kitchen lies in ruins, and it is up to the people of New York to start anew and begin rebuilding. In this last chapter of his story, will Matt Murdock at last find final redemption for the events of SHADOWLAND?
Of course, I sincerely doubt this means that DD’s going to be gone for good, or even for that long at all. Digital Spy’s reporting on the title’s conclusion, but Bleeding Cool’s already got wind about there already being a MAN WITHOUT FEAR mini-series coming out in December and a new DD #1 soon after. Is it really that surprising? DD’s one of Marvel’s mainstays, people are digging what Andy Diggle’s doing on the title and I’m sure it’s doing well, sales wise. This isn’t really a cancellation so much as a thematic conclusion. It’s a lot more dramatic to end DD and start with a sexy new #1 (look at X-MEN) instead of carrying on with #513, #514 and so on. == TEASER ==
And for you purists, I’m sure we’re going to get the original numbering back in 88 odd months for a prestigious 600 issue.That’s what happened for the 500 issue, at least. Maybe they’ll even skip to 900 or 1000 issue like they’ve been doing for DEADPOOL and WOLVERINE.
Some people are kind-of riled about this, thinking it’s an actual cancellation, and that makes me wonder how many genuine marks there are still left in fandom. I remember seeing SUPERMAN comics getting sold on PVC way back when he died in the 90s and the auctioneers were getting call-ins from people who genuinely thought Supes was gone for good. One of the hosts said people were even crying. If only they knew...
See you real soon, DD!
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE. Order them on Amazon here & here.