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[TV Review] “Marvel’s Daredevil” Episode 1.07, ‘Stick’

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Marvel’s Daredevil shows no signs of slowing down with “Stick.” The cold open introduction to the titular character was a phenomenal way to establish this old bastard as someone who can’t be messed with, but even with the hand getting sliced off, Scott Glenn’s calm performance is what sells it so well. We’ve already seen incredible action and gore in this series, but the elevator arterial spray was a beautiful touch.

Foggy’s little rant about the man in black is a nice little touch to his character. He naivety represents the general public, and Matt obviously sticks up for his own actions. The quick exchange about secrets is a nice touch, since Foggy is the only one of them without any to give up. He’s a clean slate and genuinely good person.

It’s stunning to see Daredevil get so close to Owlsey. Of course he would, but he loses it so quickly due to a rookie error of always being on edge. It makes sense, but why the hell was Stick sneaking up on him anyway? Seems he’s just a dick for being a dick’s sake.

The flashback in the nunnery to young Matt being in unbearable pain thanks to sensory overload was great. These scenes were brisk, and did a lot to establish Matt’s no nonsense tone for the future. He doesn’t become as much as a prick as Stick, but he’s somewhere in between him and Foggy.

Ulrich is a damn good reporter. Everything he says is pure gold. The character is written so well, and perhaps has the best fix on the city in the show. He is intimate with business in Hell’s Kitchen, and so far seems to be the best chance at taking down Fisk.

Matt’s exchange with Stick really seams to open old wounds. It’s clear that something happened between them that was pretty jarring. Stick pushes him to be something more, a Spartan. But, Matt realizes his relationships make him stronger. The first arm twist leading into another flashback was a great match cut. The young Matt learning to fight is enjoyable enough. Especially when his defeat causes him to blame himself for his father’s death. It’s this moment where Daredevil is basically born and a crying little boy becomes an acrobat.

Karen’s moments with Elena weren’t really strong enough on their own. The scenes didn’t seem to have a point. But Foggy taking up a bat and choosing to save Karen was a huge moment for his character. He’s a loyal friend to the end, and his dedication to the people around him continues to strengthen with every week.

Stick pushing Matt to take up killing may seem like a huge leap, but he’s right. There will be a point when Daredevil will have to kill. The duo’s trip to the harbor was a fun little adventure filled with so many question marks. Just what the hell is Black Sky?

The choreography in the harbor scene was great. Daredevil being able to do the ground work as Stick hung out overlooking the situation was a great chance for the show to play with shipping containers again. It all feels like Batman Begins all over again, until that damn container drops and you see what’s inside. What is this kid? Why is he in chains? And does this mean the show is developing a supernatural element.

It sure seems ninjas are on the horizon. But the rule of three had to be applied and we’re treated to another flashback that shows a sassy little Matt Murdock who’s evolved into quite the fighter. However, it was the final bout between Stick and Matt was where the whole episode came together for me. That, and the final scene, the line “Will he be ready when the doors open?” has about as much foreboding as you can get. So let’s sincerely hope there are some mystical ninjas on the horizon.

No Fisk this time. Which is a bummer, but I figure things have been so heavy on his motivation with the last few episodes that we had to leave him in order to refocus on Matt. A good call. Did it all feel a little unfocused? Perhaps. Is this an entirely new direction we’re headed in? Not likely. So while we got a little bit of Matt’s backstory it did feel a little like filler. Really odd filler that has a bunch of new stuff peppered throughout, that I can’t imagine going anywhere. We’ll see.

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‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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