His world is one of eternal darkness, but oh how the darkness is filled! Images ,
more vivid then any eyesight, supplied by a unique "Radar sense", as well as
hyper acute senses make his world a unique and astonishing place. By day he is a well
known and respected lawyer, by night a different kind of defender, one who is known by his
enemies as a "Man without fear". Years of training along with his amazing senses
have made him a man who instills fear instead. Armed with his multi purpose "Billy
Club" he swings through the Manhattan skyline , battling evil and injustice wherever
it rears its ugly face. He is....
SPLASH PAGE: Daredevil, in a crouch, seemingly ready to spring, is partially surrounded
by five men. Five men who carry the stench of decaying human flesh. Five corpses, animated
by hellish forces.
DEAD MAN, in guttural rasp: "Come, Red Man, let ussss... embrace you."
The others emit a strange wheezing, coughing sound, which Daredevil realizes, to his
horror, is laughter.
DD: (It's times like these that I wish I carried a sword instead of a billy club. Or maybe
a flame thrower...)
Page 1
DD circles , trying to keep from becoming completely encompassed, but as he does one of
the corpses lunges towards him with impossible swiftness, arms outstretched, gaping mouth
spewing some unholy ichor. Daredevil sidesteps, and simultaneously shatters the foul
creature's knee with his billy club. But, two others immediately follow the first. DD
spins one away, impeding the forward progress of a third. He drives a solid side kick into
and through the open rib cage of the next, snapping the ghoul's spine. The remaining three
quickly regroup, however, while the two disabled monsters drag themselves towards DD as
well.
DD: (Maybe I should have packed a lunch…)
Going on the offensive, Daredevil, using one of his fallen foes as a springboard, propels
himself into an aerial kick that decapitates one of the demonic things with an awful
crunch. Continuing his motion, DD lands deftly on his feet, outside the reach of his
grotesque opponents. Just then, DD hears the skid of an approaching police cruiser
responding to the mugging attempt*, its sirens wailing.
(*see last issue)
DD: (This might be a good time to make my exit.)
And DD slips away into the night. But as he does, his radar sense tells him his foes have
disappeared as well.
Page 2
DuValle's offices. DuValle, lazily slouched in his chair, holds the current edition of
the Bugle at arm's length. The headline blares "DEAD MEN WALKING?"
DUVALLE: (So, apparently some of the good citizens of New York have seen some of my…
"assistants" at work.)
Suddenly, DuValle stiffens as he feels the presence of his partner. Mr. Sharp has come to
pay him a visit.
DUVALLE, seemingly speaking to no one: "Ah, Mr. Sharp. To what do I owe the sublime
pleasure of a visit from my partner?"
A disembodied voice, apparently belonging to SHARP: "Let us dispense with the
pleasantries, Gustavo. I am most displeased."
DuValle fleetingly notes how disconcerting it is to hear Sharp's voice, for the voice
he hears is his own.
SHARP: "Why did you not consult me on your latest endeavors? Not only has your
bumbling incurred the intervention of Daredevil, but now you have brought our efforts to
the attention of the media as well. I once believed you held great promise, but I am
beginning to think you are naught but a preening fool."
DUVALLE, now angry as well as frightened, cannot hide the edge in his honeyed words:
"Come now, Mr. Sharp, is that any way to speak to your partner?"
SHARP, low: "Partner?"
He laughs quietly, and DuValle experiences fear as he never has before. He does his best
to maintain his composure, but even his polished veneer begins to crack as he trembles
uncontrollably.
SHARP: "Perhaps it is time I enlightened you on the true nature of our relationship,
Gustavo. You are intelligent, resourceful, and extremely charismatic. For those
attributes, I chose you because I have a use for one such as you. But understand, Gustavo,
without me, you would surely sow the seeds of your own undoing. You have an unfortunate
tendency to 'shoot yourself in the foot' as they say in the modern vernacular. You have
been a productive and useful tool thus far. But should that usefulness end…"
Sharp pauses. Suddenly DuValle finds himself struggling to breathe, as if a powerful hands
were squeezing his windpipe.
SHARP, now hissing angrily: "...then you are finished, in every sense of the
word."
DuValle drops to his knees, gasping, as the pressure is released from his neck.
Page 3
SHARP, now seemingly reassuring: "But come now, my boy, we have done great things
together. Our relationship has been mutually beneficial. Now, before we proceed with
discussing solutions to our problems, let me share with you my unique perspective, in
order that you have a full understanding of my purpose."
With that, DuValle feels something lightly touch his forehead. Instantly, his mind
explodes into a veritable kaleidoscope of images, cascading before him at dizzying speeds.
He sees kingdoms rise, fall, rise yet again, cruel tyrants, petty kings, false prophets,
harsh despots, merciless barbarian hordes. And behind it all, laughing, is the darkly
abominable but immensely powerful being he knows as Mr. Sharp. The images go back, further
and further. DuValle sees flashes of a great war between incomprehensibly mighty beings,
of Sharp leading a great rebellion against the Light, and finally, an image of Sharp as he
was before the rebellion, before iniquity entered his heart and corrupted the perfect
creation that he once was. Now, DuValle finally understands... now, he sees the choice
laid before him, the choice that will decide his fate eternally: to reject Sharp and all
he stands for or to serve him wholeheartedly. DuValle makes his choice.
DUVALLE, shuddering, eyes wild: "M-m-master..."
SHARP: "Yesss, Gustavo, I believe you finally DO understand... "
Sharp pauses, allowing DuValle to compose himself.
SHARP: "Now, on to more pressing matters. This so-called 'Daredevil' has become
quite a nuisance. Unfortunately, the Great Enemy has blocked my attempts to ascertain his
true identity. However, I have been able to identify one close to him. You will arrange
for this one to be apprehended. Use your men, not the Wolves or Hounds, for we want her
unharmed so we will have some leverage in persuading our friend Daredevil to
capitulate."
Page 4
Central Park. Matt sits on a bench, wearing a baseball cap pulled low.
MATT: (I hope Ben doesn't keep me waiting. I don't know if they know my identity or not,
but it wouldn't be a good thing if Matt Murdock was seen battling walking cadavers. Ben
must have discovered something, though, or he wouldn't risk coming out in public.)
Just then, Matt hears the familiar labored breathing of Ben Urich approaching. He
notices that Ben's heart is beating at a higher than usual rate.
BEN, in an urgent whisper: "Matt! Thank God you're here. It looks like we have
ourselves a witness against DuValle!"
MATT: "What? Who -"
BEN: "Sorry Matt, no names. We don't know who might be listening at this point."
Having witnessed the means available to his opponents, Matt had to agree.
BEN: "But I will say this: she's a woman who, ahem, had a 'history' with DuValle -
one among many, it appears - and she's been threatened by his people to keep quiet. But
when she heard about some of the recent killings, she recognized DuValle's handiwork. She
came forward to the Bugle to tell her story but she's been too scared to testify just yet.
But we're working on it and it looks like we've almost got her convinced to go to the DA.
The DA probably won't move on anything right away as they'll want to check out her history
and credibility but she looks like she's telling it straight. "
MATT: "Great. Just make sure she's kept safe. Let's hope we can wrap this thing up
soon."
BEN: "We'll know by tomorrow if she'll testify, in which case the Bugle is running
the story. But we've got something else…"
Ben smirks.
BEN: "Some amateur photographer just happened to catch DuValle's right-hand lackey,
Andrew Van Gundersen, on film trafficking with one of those walking corpses. The Bugle
purchased that film for a tidy little sum. The photos aren't the best quality, so
DuValle's camp will have room to cry foul, but we'll definitely be running those pics in
tomorrow's edition."
Page 5
DuValle's offices. DuValle is once again watching himself on television, this time
doing damage control on all the local news programs. After this morning's edition of the
Bugle came out, with it's story of an impending investigation by the DA into DuValle's
affairs after an unknown woman's testimony and a fuzzy photo of his assistant Andrew
meeting clandestinely with one of the "Hounds," Sharp directed him to speak to
the press, telling him exactly what he must say.
DUVALLE, on the television: "Plain and simple, my friends, this is a politically
motivated attack by the enemies of progress with the intent to destroy all the good we
have accomplished. We cannot allow these reactionaries, with their malicious tactics, to
derail us. My friends, we are on the eve of a new millennium… shall we turn back the
clock now? Shall we undo all that has been done? And as for these ridiculous assertions
involving my assistant Andrew…" (DuValle pauses and smiles affectionately at
Andrew, standing off to the side of the podium) "…no, my friend Andrew…our
foes are truly stooping to new lows. Poor Andrew, performing a simple act of charity for a
homeless man, is suspected of dealing with occult forces? Surely any high-minded person
can see that we must be doing something right, for these are the accusations of desperate
men indeed." (DuValle now grows somber onscreen; he seems saddened.) "Now, I
must appeal directly to you, my detractors: What attack has ever fed a hungry baby? What
attack has ever kept a child out of jail? What attack has ever paid for an elderly
person's medical treatment? Now is not the time for division, for in unity we can
accomplish so much more, my friends." (DuValle pauses again, gathering himself)
"Someone once said 'Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those
who hate you.' Today I have sadly learned the truth of these words; I only regret that
these words are necessary at all."
DuValle, in his office, chuckles mirthlessly.
DUVALLE: (Masterful touch, that, using the Enemy's own words…)
He listens as a reporter relates the results of a recent poll. Apparently, most believe
DuValle and dismiss the reports of walking corpses as nothing more than mass hysteria.
Page 6
Matt Murdock "sees" the outline of the familiar church with his radar sense.
Troubled as he is by the supernatural nature of recent events, he has come to seek some
measure of spiritual guidance from Sister Maggie, his mother. But now, through the fog of
his musings, Matt realizes something is wrong.
MATT: (The church is surrounded by police vehicles…)
Matt approaches the police line but is stopped by an officer.
OFFICER: "Sorry sir, you can't cross the police line. This is a crime scene."
Matt's radar detects a small, rotund man turning towards him. The man's heart is beating
rapidly; obviously, he is quite upset. It is Father Callahan.
FATHER CALLAHAN: "Mr. Murdock! I'm afraid I have terrible news. It's Sister Maggie
she's been abducted."
MATT: "What was there a ransom note, any demands?"
FATHER CALLAHAN: "There was a note, but we don't know what it means!"
MATT, his voice now firm, and more composed: "What did it say, Father?"
FATHER CALLAHAN: "It said 'Red Man, you will come to us alone to negotiate for the
release of our guest.' What does that mean, Mr. Murdock? You're a lawyer, is there
anything you can do? Mr. Murdock?"
Matt turns without another word and walks away purposefully. There would be no
negotiations.
Page 7
DuValle's offices, night. Third floor. Daredevil flits from doorway to doorway like a
shadow, a Japanese sword strapped to his back (a memento from his many battles with the
insidious Hand).
DAREDEVIL: (I'm glad I kept this sword. My billy club just isn't very effective against
the walking dead.)
Unable to discover where Sister Maggie is being held, DD decides to go to DuValle's
penthouse offices. As he rounds a corner, however, three of the "hounds," the
walking dead, seemingly pour out of the shadows. The sword whispers as DD removes it from
its sheath. The battle is on.
DD controls his breathing now, letting himself enter a state the Japanese term 'mushin' -
'no-mind' - where the body simply flows into action without the conscious direction of the
mind. With a low sword strike, DD removes one's lower leg at the knee. Following through
on the motion, he removes the corpses head. As another closes in DD thrusts a hard side
kick into its midsection, sending it careening into a wall and unleashing a cloud of
noxious fumes from its rotting torso. As the corpse rebounds off the wall, DD swipes at
the knees with his sword, hindering its mobility. His hypersensitive ears detect the
approach of more foes from down an adjacent hall. With a diving roll over outstretched
arms, DD evades the attack of the third ghoul and in one motion turns and splits the
corpse from shoulders to hips. He then sprints to the nearest stairwell.
Page 8
DuValle sits in his throne-like chair, his hands steepled in front of his face as his
assistant, Andrew Van Gundersen, enters hurriedly.
ANDREW: "S-sir? It's Daredevil! I mean, he-he's here, sir, fighting the hounds
downstairs!"
DUVALLE: "Yes, Andrew, I know."
ANDREW, incredulous: "You do? Sir?"
DUVALLE, with a slight edge of irritation in his voice: "Of course I do Andrew. Why
else would the hounds even be in the building? Now, please go. Can't you see I'm speaking
with Mr. Sharp?"
Andrew nearly trips over himself in his hurry to exit the room.
SHARP: "Our guest of honor should be arriving at your door any moment. Some of the
wolves should have joined in the fray by now. He will be most reluctant to strike them
dead, not knowing whether they are willing participants or not. But now, Gustavo, it is
time I took a more direct hand in matters. Open yourself to me, my son."
DuValle relaxes, and feels the vile presence of Mr. Sharp enter his mind. At first, his
reflexive response is one of revulsion - his body wants to throw up - but the feeling
passes as his own consciousness is submerged beneath the ponderous blackness of Mr.
Sharp's will.
Page 9
The Door explodes into a shower of splinters as one of the possessed wolves, now
unconscious, comes hurtling through, propelled by Daredevil's foot. Daredevil steps
through, his costume somewhat torn, carrying the broken half of a sword in one hand, his
billy club in the other.
DAREDEVIL: "Tell me where you have her, DuValle. Don't make this any harder on
yourself."
DUVALLE/SHARP, sitting on the corner of the desk, smirking: "Daredevil, defender of
the weak, righteous protector of the city. We meet at last. I have anticipated this
meeting for a long, long time. I apologize for the manner in which we lured you here, but
I felt it was necessary if I am to help you."
DAREDEVIL: "You? Help me?"
DUVALLE/SHARP: "Yes, my friend, yessss…" DuValle/Sharp moves closer.
"Isn't it your most fervent desire to protect the weak? To end injustice, to free the
people from oppression? My friend…" He moves closer still. Daredevil finds
himself transfixed. "…I can help you realize your dreams." He places his
hand on DD's shoulder, and Daredevil's mind explodes into a veritable kaleidoscope of
images, cascading before him at dizzying speeds. He see the power of the various crime
lords broken and the people freed from their oppressive grip by his leadership. He sees
himself ending inequality and injustices, not just here in the city, but across the
nation. He sees himself not as a blind lawyer or a costumed crimefighter, but as a true
champion, leading the people out of darkness; the righteous savior of this nation. He sees.
"Only serve me, and all this will be yours." And Daredevil knows in his heart
that it is well within DuValle's power to grant him this. But in his mind, he hears a
small voice, the voice of the white-haired man: "Hold fast to what is good." And
Daredevil, like DuValle before him, has a choice laid before him. He makes his choice.
DAREDEVIL, wrenching free of DuValle's touch: "Go back to hell, Mephisto."
DuValle/Sharp laughs menacingly. The pretense has been dropped. Daredevil realizes now
that what he faces is not just pure evil, not just the embodiment of evil, but the Origin
of all Evil.
DUVALLE/SHARP: "Mephisto? MEPHISTO? Mephisto is but a manifestation of
mankind's greatest fears. I, my costumed fool, am the genuine article. Before dinosaurs
walked the earth, I was. I walked in the very throne room of Heaven, and you would reject me?
I, who could have given you everything you always wanted? You fool, they would have worshipped
you."
DAREDEVIL: "I don't want or need to be worshipped."
DUVALLE/SHARP, softly, sounding thoughtful: "No no, I suppose your kind never does.
But, now, you must be made to suffer for your choice. Your friend will die, and you will
not be able to do a thing about it."
Page 10
DD tries to lunge at DuValle but finds himself frozen in place, unable to move. DuValle
throws his head back and laughs uproariously while Daredevil feels despair well up in him
like a flood. But once again, he hears the voice of the white-haired man: "Be strong,
for you are not alone."
DAREDEVIL, crying out inwardly: (Then help me!)
Suddenly DuValle stops laughing and steps back a pace. His eyes grow wide, and Daredevil
feels a Presence enter the room behind him. It is the white-haired man.
"DUVALLE/SHARP: "You again. Have you come to vex me once more, my former
brother? Once more, we must battle."
WHITE-HAIRED MAN: "Your battle was lost the day you rebelled against the Highest,
fallen one."
Two of the wolves come through the door but when they see the white-haired man they trip
over themselves fleeing in terror.
WHITE-HAIRED MAN: "Go now, Daredevil, free Sister Maggie. She is held on the fourth
floor, room 422. Behind that conference room there is a small kitchen. There you will find
her. Go now."
The white-haired man moves towards DuValle, but Daredevil does not wait to witness the
outcome of this duel. Still holding his broken sword, he sprints to the doorway. If he
were sighted, he would see great flashes of light coming from the room behind him.
Page 11
Daredevil, now on the fourth floor, is a seemingly tireless, whirling engine of
destruction, battling his way through both possessed men and animated corpses. He
somersaults over the heads of a knot of his attackers, through the doorway of conference
room 422. Simultaneously, he hacks one of the ghouls with the sword and knocks unconscious
one of the possessed with his billy club. He notes dimly the sound of approaching sirens.
Apparently the DA has decided to move forward on pressing charges against DuValle.
Suddenly DD is forcefully hurled against a wall by two preternaturally strong possessed
men, his arms pinned, their jaws snapping near his face. His radar sense detects the forms
of two of the possessed dragging Sister Maggie out of the kitchen.
DAREDEVIL: (They intend to kill her in front of me!)
One of the possessed men pulls out a knife and moves towards Sister Maggie. DD breaks the
grip of one of his assailants and knocks him unconscious with a powerful elbow strike. But
the other's grip is firm, his slavering jaws seeking DD's jugular. DD drops his sword with
his free hand and grabs his billy club from the other, pinned hand. The knife wielder
places the knife near Maggie's throat. DD draws back the billy club, to throw at the knife
man. But he feels as if he is moving in molasses, for he knows his blow will be too late.
The knife begins to press into her neck… and then, unexpectedly, the knife wielder
drops his knife, and looks about, confused. The man holding DD, too, loosens his grip, and
sits on the floor holding his head, dazed. All around him, DD hears the animated corpses
falling to the ground, the grotesque mockery of life gone out of them. Sharp's power has
been broken.
Page 12
Outside. DD observes from a nearby rooftop, having escaped the questions of both the
police and the press. Police, reporters and EMS workers mill about, dealing with the
horrifying mess of so many rotting corpses found inside. Sister Maggie is being treated
for superficial injuries and will be taken to the hospital for observation after her
terrifying ordeal. Andrew Van Gundersen is led out in handcuffs.
ANDREW, crying: "I'll testify against DuValle! Just grant me immunity!"
COP, growling: "Tell it to the DA."
Lastly, DuValle is brought out on a stretcher, drooling, a vacuous look on his face,
appearing utterly mindless.
VOICE BEHIND DD: "Matthew."
DD turns. It is the white-haired man. He is smiling now. He claps DD across the shoulders.
WHITE HAIRED MAN: "Rejoice! For we have won a great victory today, my brother."
DAREDEVIL: "What happened to DuValle?"
WHITE HAIRED MAN: "His mind was utterly destroyed when the Enemy was driven from him.
A fitting punishment for one who willfully chose to serve Evil. His punishment is not yet
done. Now I must go. Your role in this battle will eternally be remembered and rewarded.
But we must ever be on guard, for it is not yet time for the Enemy to be bound. There will
be many more such battles ere that time. Be on guard, Matthew."
The white-haired man smiles at DD once more, then turns and walks away, fading from our
plane of existence.
And Daredevil stands atop the roof, alone with his thoughts.
Page 13
EPILOGUE: Three months later.
The famous ex-wife of a famous man sits in her new offices upstate. After the DuValle
fiasco, she became the front-runner for the open Senate seat. Always a sympathetic
character with the public, she has been a virtual lock to win the election. Until now.
Someone from her past is threatening to reveal the true details of some of her former
dealings. Were that to happen, her career would be destroyed and she would most likely be
facing a jail sentence. Now, as that prospect seems likely, she sits, resigned to her
fate, filled with despair.
VOICE: "I can help."
WOMAN, startled: "Who-who's there?" She looks about and sees no one.
VOICE: "I know what troubles you, and I can help you be free of those troubles. I can
guarantee you victory in this election, if you'll allow me to help." The voice is
strong, yet gentle. The woman finds it to be reassuring and somehow comforting.
WOMAN, whispering: "Who are you?"
VOICE: "I cannot reveal myself to you at this time. But you may call me... Mr.
Sharp."
dare-ing to be different C/O [email protected]