Marvel Team-Up (vol. 3) #9

Jul 13

Jul 13 Marvel Team-Up (vol. 3) #9

Master of the Ring Part Three

Tokyo, Japan

Sunfire and the Japanese army have attempted to stop Titannus from setting foot in the city only to be utterly decimated by the insanely powerful Skrull. Standing over the defeated mutant, Titannus hopes that Sunfire has learned his lesson this time, warning him that he won’t be as merciful if attacked a third time. With that ,Titannus turns to the city and prepares to cause some real damage.

New York City

Spotting Stilt-Man running by the office window, prompts Matt Murdock to abruptly depart a meeting he is having along with his friend and colleague Foggy Nelson. Foggy tells the others that Matt had Indian food earlier that day and it has not been sitting very well with him since, assuring them that Murdock will be back in a few minutes.

Moments later, Daredevil attacks Stilt-Man, who is surprised that he has come out to attack him after his identity was leaked to the papers.[1] With new telescoping fists, this Stilt-Man reveals that he is not Wilbur Day, whom he claims quit his job and subsequently found the armor’s designs on the internet.[2] The entire time they are fighting, the new Stilt-Man gloats over the various enhancements he made over the original design and how many successful robberies he committed before even running into a single superhero. As Stilt-Man grabs Daredevil in a choke-hold, his presence is noticed by Luke Cage who just happens to be passing by on his way home from getting take-out. Luke Cage offers an assist, asking Daredevil why he’s having so much trouble stopping Stilt-Man. Daredevil explains that he wants to send his foe to jail, not the morgue, as a fall from this heigh could kill him. Pointing out that innocent lives are at stake, Luke says there are higher priorities and knocks out Stilt-Man with a single punch. As their foe falls backwards, Daredevil quickly swings around their foe, wrapping him up with the grappling line from his billy club.

Admittedly, Daredevil thanks Luke for his help and asks what brings him out that evening. Cage reveals that he went out for fast food because his girlfriend, Jessica Jones, was craving it and he is not one to argue with her.[3] Luke bought extra and offers some to Daredevil. That’s when they are startled by an explosion that has happened a few blocks away.[4] They both agree that this needs to be checked out, but Luke insists that he has to take the food back to Jessica, assuring Daredevil that he’ll come unless he hears back that it was all clear, pointing out that someone needs to call SHIELD about Stilt-Man. Daredevil understands and heads toward the scene of the explosion.

Meanwhile, Foggy Nelson continues to wait in the office, telling his associates not to worry as he is certain Matt Murdock will be back any minute….

Recurring Characters

Daredevil, Luke Cage, Stilt-Man, Foggy Nelson, Sunfire, Titannus

Continuity Notes

At the time of this story, Matt Murdock was recently outted as Daredevil in Daredevil (vol. 2) #32.
Although this man claims that Wilbur Day retired as Stilt-Man, he will resurface again in Spider-Man Unlimited (vol. 3) #12. This successor’s career proved shortlived as he is never seen again (despite what a number of poorly researched publications state)
At the time of this story, Jessica Jones was pregnant with Luke’s child, a revelation that was made in Alias #28.
This explosion was caused by the Ringmaster as we saw in Marvel Team-Up (vol. 3) #7.

Topical References

This Stilt-Man says he bought Wilbur’s armor off eBay. Although eBay is still around, it’s reference here is topical as it is a real-life company.

Master of the Ring Part Four

New York City

As Rick Sheridan falls asleep for the night, Sleepwalker emerges from the mindscape appearing before his girlfriend. Used to this by now, she assures Sleepwalker that she won’t wake Rick and tells him the window is unlocked so he can do his thing. Sleepwalker is glad to finally be free again and on his patrol he happens upon the Black Cat as she is cutting open the wndow of an office building. When he confronts her, she refuses to tell him what she is doing and attacks him when she realizes that Sleepwalker is not going away.

Quickly, Sleepwalker fires his eye beams at a nearby set of girders causing them to bend around and restrain the Black Cat. That’s when the explosion goes off a few blocks down the street. Sleepwalker turns away and decides that this is a more pressing matter. When he decides to tell this to the Cat, she has already broken free and fled while his back was turned. Sleepwalker reminds himself to be more vigilant in the future then suddenly feels his body being pulled back into the mindscape. Back at the apartment, Rick Sheridan is woken up by his girlfriend because he was snoring.

Tokyo, Japan

Titannus stands before the ruins of the city and decides that he doesn’t need to do anymore as he is certain that he has gotten the attention of the heroes of this world.