Warning: contains potential spoilers for Daredevil #12!Daredevil has itted the incredibly tragic way he believes his story will end. Daredevil’s life has been marked by continual tragedy, which may explain why he feels it will come to an even more heartbreaking end - and a preview for Daredevil #12 seems to confirm this. The issue, part of 12 of "The Red Fist Saga," sees Daredevil at his lowest point yet, but there is still farther to fall.
The issue is written by Chip Zdarsky, drawn by Marco Checchetto, colored by Matthew Wilson and lettered by Clayton Cowles. Daredevil is despondent: the souls of the world leaders, as well as his best friend Foggy Nelson, are trapped in Hell thanks to the Hand. Daredevil feels it is his mission to save them, and he feels the only way to do so is to kill himself by a supernatural vortex which will send his soul to Hell where he will confront and kill the Beast. Just as Daredevil readies his blade, Elektra comes to him, trying to convince him of the error of his ways. Daredevil tells her that after going to prison, recruiting a righteous army, and being manipulated by Stick, "going to Hell is the logical end for the Catholic devil."
Daredevil Is Going to Hell
The events in this issue continue "The Red Fist Saga," an ambitious story that has seen Daredevil and Elektra form the Fist, a group devoted to taking down the Hand. Among the were some former villains such as Stilt-Man as well as friends such as Foggy Nelson. However, the Hand was ready for the Fist; it was revealed that “Foggy” was actually in Hell, and they had been fighting alongside a copy. Furthermore, the Hand imprisoned world leaders in Hell as well, using their copies to achieve world power. The Hand was more than a match for the Fist, and Daredevil’s dreams of stopping the Hand came crashing down.
Daredevil Has Always Been Headed for Tragedy
And now, with seemingly nothing left to lose, Daredevil is looking for a way to raid Hell and reclaim his friend, even if it means sacrificing his own life. While some heroes may one day earn a happy ending, Matt's history of tragedy and immense sense of guilt mean that he's not among their number. So many of Matt's friends, family and lovers end up dead or permanently injured; the list includes Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, Elektra, Milla Donovan, Battlin' Jack Murdock, Heather Glenn, Stick and many others. Matt believes he's destined for Hell, even as he tries to do the right thing - now, he's hoping he can at least go for a heroic reason.
Daredevil's Actions are Biblical
Elektra accuses Daredevil of giving in to his narcissist streak, and while she has a valid point, there is a Biblical precedent for his actions, namely the “Harrowing of Hell.” In the Christian tradition, Jesus descended into Hell for three days after the crucifixion, in which he liberated all the souls trapped there, denied grace until he came for them. Daredevil is a deeply religious hero, and he no doubt sees parallels between himself and Christ - which may have prompted Elektra’s comment about narcissism. Since losing his faith in the justice system, Matt has been looking for meaning, and believed he'd found it in the Fist. Now, with that hope dashed, Daredevil is willing to embrace eternal damnation if it means he can save his friends.
Daredevil #12 is on sale June 7 from Marvel Comics!
