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Daredevil Epic Collection: A Touch of Typhoid

Ann Nocenti – Writer

John Romita Jr. and others – Artists

A 400-page collection of Daredevil may sound staggering, but it is cost effective.  And with a lot of these collections readers are given a unique focus into a particular villain or emotional period of the hero (or heroes) in question.  In this case we can all share in the distinct pleasure of meeting the shining example of inner conflict that is Typhoid Mary.  For those unfamiliar with this villain, she goes by many monikers such as Typhoid Mary, Bloody Mary, or the more recent “Mutant Zero.”

Typhoid was originally and is most typically a Daredevil villain possessing pyrokinesis, telekinesis, low-level mind control/psionic abilities, and sweet assassin athleticism of the highest caliber.  She also suffers from Dissociative Personality Disorder manifesting in three very distinct personalities most notable of which being the amorous and daring Typhoid.

If I can break this down as quickly as possible, Mary’s personalities are as follows: Mary Walker suffered a great deal of trauma in her upbringing, and when she is caused any harm at the hands of men she snaps. Mary is polite, timid, and demure. Typhoid is constantly seeking danger, trouble, and finds these things to be rather “arousing.”  Bloody Mary is an unabashed misandrist, sadistic to no end, and all sorts of brutal (she’s pretty rad).  Although that little history lesson I just gave you skips ahead a bit because “Bloody” isn’t introduced until much later.

I’m digressing a bit though, considering the title is more accurate than I, or anyone might have thought.  I just really adore Typhoid/Bloody Mary, and everybody should.  When they say “A Touch of Typhoid” though it really is just a touch. It’s her first appearance in Hell’s Kitchen.  As good a place as any to start, but then the collection follows the standard number order and that means many more villains to choose from!

I am not usually a guy who reads these massive collections, but I have managed to get through a few.  Most of which were read in an ascending order that’ll burn out even the most voracious reader and switch them off of the more enjoyable aspects in lieu of speed-reading to completion.  All enjoyment lost to be over and done with the book “that’s just taking too damn long.”  The age-old question “Shouldn’t I start at the beginning?” applies with these hefty tomes, and I’ll answer with a resounding “Aw, heck no!”  Just pick up something and read it.

If you enjoy street-level fights in tights, this is a uniquely fun book to get. It pulls us right into the day-to-day of Daredevil and his constant struggles to be a hero and be a man up against the pain from his enemies while enduring the pain from his heart.  It is exactly how Daredevil should be read.

And he also cheats on Karen Page in the form of making out with Typhoid in a burning building.  Burning building making out: Can it get any hotter?

Matthew Burbridge is a Digital Editor at Comixology who recently got told by his supervisor that his hoodie makes him look like a Sith Lord, which he found totally offensive, you guys, because he totally doesn’t feel that philosophy because I mean like how can anyone be that angry all the time, you know??

He also wants to talk about the Mental Health and Feminist questions raised by Typhoid, but he could’ve written a book about that, and he wants you instead to buy this Daredevil book.