Back-Issue: Daredevil Wake Up

This little story arc is through the four issues of 16-19. I told myself after the last two story arcs in this second volume of Daredevil that I would take a break and just read through it, thinking how could it be as good as the previous two. Damn, I was wrong again.

This story in the Daredevil comics is not through the eyes of Matt Murdock, but through the eyes of Ben Urich. I did a little research on Ben and he’s been around since 1978, first appearing in Daredevil 153. Now I was first introduced to this character during the Civil War series in the Frontline comics and really enjoyed them. He was also a great character in the World War Hulk series. Unfortunately I was not as big of a fan of the Frontline in the Secret Invasion series, but that’s just me. So like other characters that I’ve been making these connections with, like Echo in that last Daredevil event, I really enjoy seeing a sort of history of these characters. And Ben Urich tells one hell of a story.

Ben Urich is talking to a young boy Timmy, who seems to be in a state of post traumatic stress from losing his father. The boy only speaks as if talking from a comic book. Ben finds this story to be quite captivating, and although I don’t know Ben’s history all that well, he seems to have some issues with his own father that makes him relate to this boy Timmy. Ben being the reporter that he is continues with this boy trying to figure out what’s wrong with him, only to discover that his father was a villain known as Leap-Frog. Now Leap-Frog was last seen battling Daredevil, and the reason the boy doesn’t speak has some connection to him.

Ben goes from the police to the mother, to teachers and all around trying to figure out this case. Matt Murdock isn’t available to take questions as this story is going on parallel to the last event with Kingpin on trial. It just so happens that the trial is referenced through the whole story as Ben is supposed to be covering it. Jonah Jameson is constantly on his case about being there for the trial but something about the boy is keeping Ben to his original story.

The artwork is done by David Mack as is a style that I just love. I’ve seen it before and always thought little about it, but in this story of a boy who has lost his father, the art work really brings the boys mind to life. The drawings by the boy are portrayed in such a way that there is pain behind them.

Brian Michael Bendis is the writer of this great little arc. You may know him from some of his work in the New Avengers series as well as Ultimate Spider-Man and is currently writing the Dark Avengers series. He really brings the character of Ben Urich to life here and gives me a whole new outlook on the Dark Avengers series.

So as you can tell I’ve dove head first into the Daredevil universe for the past few weeks and have enjoyed it immensely. As far as Captain America goes, who is my favorite Marvel character, Daredevil is climbing up the ranks. He’s a character that deserves better recognition as a great hero. Or maybe it’s kind of cool that he is one of those hidden treasures that not as many people talk about like Spider-Man or the X-Men. Either way if you like Daredevil and have read this let me know what you thought. Also if you have any recommendations I would love to hear it. Just as a side note I have just acquired all the work that Frank Miller has done including his work on Daredevil so it will be something I will be reading soon as well.