The effect that Frank Miller had on Daredevil cannot be understated. While Matt Murdock was originally created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett, Miller revamped his series into a neo-Noir drama. Miller made his name on dark, mature storytelling at a time when superheroes were seen as children’s entertainment. It is his comics, more than any other influence, that shaped the Daredevil: Born Again series. However, there is one particular Frank Miller story that is unlikely to be recreated in live-action.
Written by Frank Miller with art by Klaus Janson, Daredevil #186 is an anomaly. It lies directly between two of the defining moments of Miller’s run — the death of Elektra in #181 and Miller’s final issue of #191. By contrast, Issue #186, subtitled “Stilts,” is probably the closest Miller came to writing screwball comedy.
The action of Daredevil #186 centers around the unlikely duo of the unlucky thug Turk Barrett and engineer turned thief Wilbur Day (aka Stilt-Man). The former is, as usual, looking for a big score to make his name in the underworld. The latter, newly released from prison, is trying to get back into the game. The two encounter one another at a costume shop where Day is trying to replace a lost glove. Turk, sensing an opportunity, follows Day home, assaults him, and steals the Stilt-Man suit.
Turk’s time as the new Stilt-Man is short-lived. He tries to get Kingpin to hire him as his new personal assassin. However, Wilson Fisk is understandably less than impressed. Turk then bungles an extortion attempt aimed at Assistant D.A. Maxine Lavender. He ultimately falls, literally, when Wilbur Day tells Daredevil how to disable the Stilt-Man armor.
“Stilts” would not fit tone of Daredevil: Born Again
While Frank Miller was famed for his dark, violent comics, he knew the value of pacing. Even the lightest of comedies has something at stake to fuel the drama. Conversely, even the most serious of thrillers needs occasional moments of levity, if only to throw the audience into sharp relief. For Miller on Daredevil, this usually meant continuing the running gag of Turk Barrett’s bad luck and stupidity putting him in rough spots.
“Stilts” is not a bad comic. However, it stands out as somewhat silly compared to the stories that surround it. That comedy was necessary as a catharsis, given the many shocking moments that just preceded it in the Daredevil comic. Despite this, it is highly unlikely to be adapted for Daredevil: Born Again, if for no other reason than Stilt-Man wouldn’t work well in live-action.
Daredevil: Born Again Episodes 1 & 2 are now streaming on Disney+.
