Daredevil : End Of Days #1

Daredevil is dead, murdered in cold blood by the sadistic Bullseye in the streets of Hells Kitchen in front of citizens who cowardly hide behind their cameras, filming the entire fight until its bloody conclusion. For Ben Urich, friend to Daredevil & top journalist for the Dailey Bugle, this isn’t just another story to write… it’s the most important one of his career. Featuring the Kingpin.

The Team

Written by Brian Michael Bendis (All-New X-Men Vol. 1 : Here Comes Yesterday, Powers Vol. 14 : Gods), David Mack (Kabuki Vol. 2 : Dreams, The Calling), illustrated by Klaus Janson (Batman : Gothic, Punisher and Captain America : Blood & Glory), Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra : Assassin, 30 Days Of Night : Beyond Barrow, Stray Toasters) & coloured by Matt Hollingsworth. Cover by Alex Maleev. Published by Marvel Comics.

The Pros

Wow. This was an unexpected delight from start to finish. I should point out right away, that this series doesn’t follow Daredevil’s Marvel Universe continuity in any shape or form. It’s just a cool idea, so just go with it. I don’t want to say too much, because I don’t want to ruin it for the readers, but suffice to say, 2 major DD characters brutally die in this issue. The narrator for this story is none other than journalist Ben Urich, who wonders if he should write the story of Daredevil’s demise and also wonders if anyone would give a crap if he did write it. This “what if?” issue features some of the most savage and hard core battles between DD & Bullseye and DD & Kingpin I’ve ever read. I’m actually amazed that Marvel didn’t label this series as a Max title.

Writer Brian Michael Bendis brings out Daredevil’s dark side and shows what happens when a super is pushed too far. It’s also a murder mystery as Ben Urich digs deep for the story. I remember Klaus Janson’s drawings as far back as the first ongoing Punisher series, I’ve always found his work to be mediocre at best, but with this series, he’s been given carte blanche and it looks fantastic. With the help of colourist Matt Hollingsworth, the pages area mixed bag of grittiness and vividness. There’s a two-page spread of the inside of the Daily Bugle’s offices that has so much attention to detail, it must have been a nightmare to draw. Add Bill Sienkiewicz’s unique touches to the finished art and you’ve got one of the best comics I’ve read in a while. With a summer full of mutant & super hero crossovers and rebooting comic book companies, this is a welcomed treat.

The Cons

What are you kidding me?

The Outcome

What can I say? Along with other amazing titles like Saga, Punk Rock Jesus & the monthly Batman (The New 52) series, this one ranks very high among them. I simply can’t recommend it enough.