The
Death of Jean DeWolff
Trade Paperback
Originally published as Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110 (1985)
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Rick Buckler
Peter David = one of comicdom's most popular writers, Mr. David has also worked on Star Trek novels and several adult books for DC. He penned Spider-Man 2099 and the definitive years for the Incredible Hulk. Close this window.
The Death of Jean DeWolff is a dark, gritty and urbane thriller addressing a rarely touched upon topic in the Spider-Man books: a simple murder. The tale is illustrated with brooding colors and heavy inks providing an atmosphere that is more similar to Alfred Hitchcock's movies or NYPD Blue than Stan Lee's original Amazing Spider-Man.
Peter David's script is excellent and narrates the plot with deft and skill. Peter Parker's emotions (and ours) are stirred by the death of Police Captain DeWolff. We follow his and fellow adventurer Daredevil's manhunt until both of them arrive at the crossroads of both their actions and the actions of a murderer.
I'm not a fan of "realistic" and "true-to-life" comic books (though Frank Miller's Sin City is excellent). I've always liked the idea of heroes with powers living in a city and fighting costumed clowns (It did get old fairly quickly month after month but there were occasional gems)
The black costume = Marvel once took a huge gamble by giving Peter a new costume. This lasted for several months and was arguably one of the highlights of Spider-Man's history: this change in costume spawned Venom and the costume was so popular (and rightly so) Spider-Man's then-girlfriend Black Cat gave him a cloth version of the black bodysuit which Peter used off and on for several years. Close this window.
The Death of Jean DeWolff cannot be categorized as a normal Marvel comic book simply because it addresses then-controversial topics (this was the 80s) such as the legal nature of criminal investigation, the methods of the "super heroes" and the gravity of their actions. The plot even explores Spider-Man's relationship with the police -- previous and later writers would revert it once again as a casual and mixed relationship (it swings from "menace" to "celebrity" to "hero.") Here, Spider-Man's interaction with the police is much deeper. Even with the menacing black costume on, Spider-Man is more of Peter Parker, approachable, genial and human -- just an anxious and eager youth trying to assist in a murder.
Peter David, despite his insistence in putting Spider-Man in a real world, never forgets he is dealing with superhuman characters. He never forgets all throughout the murder mystery that Daredevil and Spider-Man are unique beings in the Marvel Universe. (Besides giving plenty of screen time to Peter's supporting cast, David even throws in the Kingpin in a cameo, who waxes poetry by saying muderers polarize cities making them harder to control).
Kingpin = Marvel's New York crimelord who is primarily a villain for both Daredevil and Spidey. The obese Wilson Fisk would later destroy Daredevil's life by revealing his identity. Years later, Kingpin would also fall from grace leaving a vacuum in New York's mob. Close this window.
This is a unique, intense and terrifying story that finds Peter Parker and Atty. Matt Murdock employing other means to capture a villain. Daredevil, employing his incredible senses, actually discovers the villain's identity and asks Peter's assistance which leads them to a suspense-filled chase and ultimately into a dangerous fistfight.
Atty. Mathew Murdock = Also known as Daredevil, Atty. Murdock is a well-known criminal lawyer who has defended everyone from petty criminals to superheroes like Ben Grimm (the Thing) in court. During his early career and in this particular story, he practices a strong belief in the Law and often clashes with heroes like Spider-Man and vigilantes who have varying ways of interpreting the Law. Close this window.
Later writers who worked on Spider-Man failed miserably in depicting Peter Parker's anger and frustration as a person who faces crime and evil daily. Peter David succeeded marvelously.
Although the 4-part story is filled with quiet dialogues and reflections by each of the characters, Peter David, once again remembering it is a comic book, adds plenty of fight scenes. And action scenes they are! The fistfights are brutal and gripping and readers will almost grit their teeth when Peter hesitates in one scene, allowing the Sin-Eater to gain the upper hand. Moreover, for once, the conflict between two heroes are logical. It is well-known that Marvel writers love battles between their own heroes but here Daredevil finds himself trading blows with Peter Parker because of their beliefs not because of any confusion or through the use of the formulaic mind-control plot.
The Sin-Eater, this TPB's villain, is and will never be a popular "super-villain" in the original Spider-Man canon. But his actions and the madness which he inflicted on Peter and Mathew Murdock during his rampant murders, emphasized a true evil that will never be seen again in Spider-Man comic books.
Rating:
The Death of Jean DeWolff
Writer: Peter David
Visuals: Rich Buckler, Brett Breeding, Josef Rubinstein,
Kyle Baker, Pat Redding with Phil Felix, Bob Sharen, George Roussos,
Nel Yomtov and Rick Parker
Highly recommended for all Readers
Click on thumbnails for artwork:
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