Christine Hanefalk After bringing up Brubaker’s “reintroduction” of Becky Blake in my review of The Devil in Cell Block D, I thought it might be interesting to go back to her very first appearance in issue #155. Becky Blake was created by Roger McKenzie (another one of those solid half-forgotten writers who seem destined to always remain in the shadow of Frank Miller) and is drawn here by Frank Robbins. Becky, is quite a hottie on wheels in this issue (I’m kind of getting a Charlie’s Angels vibe here), and she would keep this look for about four issues, before then-penciller Frank Miller gave her her current appearance in issue #165.
When we enter the scene, it’s been a very rough day for Matt. He has a splitting headache (which will later be revealed to be the result of concussion), just fell from a building that morning, and has had to interview job applicants all day. A misunderstanding and hurt feelings ensue, and Foggy is once again written as something of an ignorant goof.
Description: Matt is thinking to himself “Oh, man! Am I glad that’s over! My head feels like it’s going to split wide open! I don’t think I could’ve faced another…” Becky who is off panel, speaks up while Matt is hunched over his desk: “Mr. Murdock? I hope I’m not too late, but…” Matt, still hunched over, is thinking to himself: “Oh, no!” Then he says “P-please… I’m sorry… but could you just go away?”
Becky: “Just… go away? So that’s how it is, huh, Mr. Murdock?” Matt, surprised, is now thinking: “What?” Becky continues: “Sure, I’ll go! I’ll be glad to! And don’t bother getting up, counselor! I got in here by myself… I can leave the same way!”
Becky yells “You’re no different than the rest! You think I’m helpless! That I can’t do a full day’s work… just because I’m handicapped! And if you see things that way, Mister, I’m sorry for you! I really am sorry!” Matt thinking to himself: “M-my God! The sound of her voice… even her heartbeat… She must be sitting down! And I can hear rubber wheels squeaking against the floor! Then she’s … she’s…” Matt gets up to stop her and says “Miss, please! Wait! I… I didn’t see.. I… didn’t see… at all…” Becky turns around and realizes Matt is blind.
Caption:”And one animated conversation later…” Matt: “College and two years of law school? Miss Blake… Becky… I think you’d be perfect for the job!” Becky: “Do you really… Matt? I mean, you’re not just feeling sorry for a…?” Foggy sticks his head in the door and says “Uh, Matt, could I see you a sec?”
In another room, Foggy whispers: “I couldn’t help overhearing, but I don’t think you should get her hopes too high. I mean…” Matt interrupts: “Mean what, Foggy? That she’s handicapped?” Foggy: “Well, uh, Matt, I didn’t quite mean it to sound that way, I –“
Foggy: “– I guess I just inserted my footpiece right smack dab in my mouthpiece, didn’t I? Sorry, buddy, it won’t happen again. Miss Blake… Welcome aboard!” Matt: “Tell you what – let me grab a quick shave and we’ll celebrate Becky’s new job! How’s that sound?” Becky: “Sounds great… Matt!”
And, as usual, Becky and Foggy have to go to dinner alone as Matt takes off when he catches wind of the Black Widow being back in town and staying at the Avengers mansion. At least he did manage to squeeze in that much needed shave before going out. However, by the time he shows up at the mansion, his concussion has driven him into a rage and he has to be subdued by Captain America, Beast and Hercules until Natasha manages to take him out with her widow’s bite. All in a days work…
Personally, I must say that I like Frank Robbins work… Maybe, when one’s used to other DD artists, it may look a bit too cartoony, but I love his dinamism and beautiful Brush-stroke (he inked his own work).
In a way, it’s a pity the looks was later changed to a more “mousy” type: i like the way she looks here.
Re my favourite subject (AKA the endearing Mr. Nelson;D): he comes as a real jerk here, doesn’t he? Yet one wonders if that is consistent with the character… I mean, he had been working shoulder to shoulder with a blind partner for years, plus he had hired Willie Lincoln’s services (a blind policeman) when he was District Attorney… I mean, Foggy certainly shouldn’t be portrayed as the type of guy who discriminated other people for being disabled.
I like this look for Becky too, and I don’t understand why Frank Miller changed it. What’s wrong with her being a little “hottie”? 😀
Yes, I definitely think this is out of character for Foggy. I think this is the kind of thing writers throw in just to create some conflict (which is basically what all types of fiction thrive on, I suppose), and Foggy has often been forced to act in a way that lets the writer get his point across, regardless of whether Foggy would actually act that way.
Yes, it could be that… In fact, when Nocenti had Foggy working for a big corporation -against Matt- was trying to make a point: I think the story was good, but I don’t entirely buy the idea that a Foggy without Matt would just forget any moral principles and defend the indefendable just for money.
(on the other hand, and considering the previous financial failure of his society with Murdock, maybe he was actually tired of too many Just” but also pro.bono cases, LOL)
Do you know of a collection that has this issue? I would really enjoy reading it in full.