By Marc Strom
Lately, Matt Murdock's compass seems to perpetually point North.
The newest member of Daredevil's supporting cast, private investigator Dakota North, has taken an increasingly prominent role in the "Cruel and Unusual" arc, pushing her detective skills to the limit in order to find out how Big Ben Donovan wound up on death row for a crime he didn't commit.
And on August 27, DAREDEVIL #110 brings the current story to its suspenseful conclusion. We spoke with co-writers Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka about Dakota North and the end of the brief creative reunion between them and artist Michael Lark, as well as what else ol' Hornhead has in store for him in the months to come.
While Dakota may not have the most storied history in Marvel Comics, putting her into the pages of DAREDEVIL made perfect sense to Brubaker.
"Dakota is a professional private investigator, so she fits perfectly in Matt and Foggy's world, because almost all lawyers have PIs they work with, especially defense attorneys," explains the regular series scribe.
"And she's a headstrong confident ex-model who doesn't overdo her obvious sex appeal, and doesn't put up with Matt's sulking and self-pity. I think the fans dig that about her."
Since her first appearance in 1986, Dakota has remained a relatively unknown character in the Marvel Universe, only appearing every now and then for brief stints. But for Brubaker, Dakota's pseudo-obscurity didn't mean he could have any leeway in how he writes the character.
"Her history and the way she's been portrayed in the past is what made me want to bring her into our cast," he reminisces. "She's always been a tough character with a sharp wit. The fact that she's been used so infrequently did make her more appealing, in a way, though, because so much is still unknown about her."
Though Brubaker did make at least one revision to Dakota's history:
"I think the only major change we made was getting her dad out of his wheelchair. We gave him a cane, though, as a nod to that earlier version."
Speaking of Papa North, his daughter seemed a little less-than-loving when he made his return in the current storyline. Though given their history, perhaps that shouldn't come as much of a shock…
"Absent father plus dead mother equals dysfunctional household," reasons Rucka. "Multiply with Sam's expectations for Dakota—Dad's a bit old-fashioned—and shake. And there's more to it, but for the rest, wait and see."
While Dakota's role in the book has expanded with the current arc, Brubaker promises fans can expect even more coming on the horizon.
"Dakota's impact on Matt, nudging him back toward who he's supposed to be will have a major effect on him and the direction of the book from this point on," he teases. "Big changes and danger are on their way, and Dakota's going to be front and center throughout it all."
And thanks to Rucka, Brubaker says he now has a fresh perspective on the Man Without Fear that will help bring those changes about:
"I wanted to work with Greg again for his insight and so he could help me look at Daredevil from different angles before I started the next big arc, and it really helped me."
Rucka, for his part, says he enjoyed the chance to help out on "Cruel and Unusual."
"It's always a treat to write one of the big, iconic characters, and Daredevil certainly is one of [them]," he notes. "That said, this is Ed's book, and from the start, I really felt my job was to support him and Michael [Lark] as best as I could—to go where Ed pointed and write what he suggested. It's been a helluva lot of fun."
As to whether or not the temporary co-scribe would like to write more of Daredevil's adventures, the wordsmith says definitely, but hopefully not for a while.
"I'd be there pronto should the opportunity present itself," enthuses Rucka. "But as far as the regular book goes? Man, I'm hoping
Ed and Michael stay on the title for a
long time to come—I've been loving what they're doing, and I'm looking forward to what comes next as much as everybody else—Ed wouldn't tell me anything!"
With only one more issue to go in "Cruel and Unusual" and more than a few unanswered questions, Brubaker guarantees some big character moments alongside a few of those answers.
"The final issue is a bit harsh on Matt," he warns. "But it's been a long time coming for him, so I think all DD fans will love the final scenes of this issue."
And after that, DAREDEVIL #111 brings with it a whole slew of new problems for the ever-troubled Matt Murdock.
"Lady Bullseye," proclaims Brubaker. "Who is she, and why is she leading the Hand on a killing tour of New York City, and what does this have to do with Elektra's death and reveal as a Skrull?"
Catch the "Cruel and Unusual" finale in DAREDEVIL #110 on August 27, but for more tales of the Man Without Fear, head to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
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