In Daredevil #88, DD’s faithful second takes center-stage, in “The Secret Life of Foggy Nelson.” Foggy’s an easy character to portray poorly. The temptation to do so is apparent when Foggy is compared with Matt: you have a rigidly muscular hero who overcomes adversity on a daily basis, and then you’ve got his tubby law partner who’s constantly eating. Every writer is tempted to succumb to that little voice in their head that screams “HEY!! FOGGY’S FAT!!! THAT’S AN INEXHAUSTIBLE LODE OF COMEDY!!!” and some writers have sadly given into that little voice. Contrastingly, there are teams like Bendis/Maleev, who portrayed Foggy in a more charitable light—as an embattled, faithful confidant who copes with feelings of inadequacy. Ed Brubaker continues this admirable trend in Daredevil #88. Through a series of flashbacks, Foggy confronts his own lack of bravery, and the guilt it causes him. He’s even forced to take action (in real time), sneaking out an open window when he finds his life’s in danger. This issue is particularly empowering for Foggy, and thus paints a more realistic picture of the character than the classic “fat joke” school of thought.  

Lee Bermejo’s cover leaps at the reader, and gives DD’s costume a realistic look without sacrificing its’ menace. Foggy is likewise given a realistic treatment on the cover. The inside art is most impressive in the shadow-heavy flashback scenes, which also prove penciler David Aja to be an able interpreter of Daredevil’s acrobatic fighting style. The inking’s very heavy; this issue feels like an episode of The X-Files at times. Despite that, the inking works for the setting and mood of the story, and compliments the issue nicely.

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