Post by NorCalCO on Jul 4, 2012 22:57:33 GMT -5
Title: Daredevil Ultimate Collection Book 1
Format: Trade Paperback
Collects: Daredevil #16-19 and #26-40
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist(s): Alex Maleev with David Mack, Manuel Guiterrez and Terry Dodson
Price: $34.99 US / $38.99 CAN
This is the first of 3 Bendis / Maleev Daredevil Ultimate Collection TPB's. I recently read Shadowland and realized that Daredevil is a pretty great character and I have never read him much. I did a little research and asked around about the more modern Daredevil stuff and this seemed like a pretty good place to jump in. I've also really enjoyed some other Bendis / Maleev collaborations before so that aided my decision.
This collection breaks down in to three story arcs and I'll outline my thoughts on each in succession.
Wake Up
Issues #16-19
This initial story arc in the collection is essentially a mystery story. There is a small child that has been traumatized by something he saw or experienced and no one can figure out what that something was. Daily Bugle Investigative Reporter Ben Urich is about the only person who cares enough to look in to what has transpired and he knows that Daredevil is somehow involved. Throughout the 4 issue arc we follow Ben and unravel the truth of the story along with him. Daredevil himself is not heavily featured until towards the very end of the arc, as it reaches a powerful and heartbreaking conclusion. In the end we are treated to seeing a very touching side of both Matt and Ben.
The art is very abstract, but I think it lends itself well to this particular arc.
Underboss
Issues #26-37
This is the real meat of this particular collection. The story and artwork absolutely blew me away. To summarize, a new mob underboss (Sammy Silke) moves in to Hell's Kitchen and decides that he is going to take over from The Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) and he sets out about completing this task. I don't want to spoil anything or go in to any great detail about specifics, but he makes serious progress in that direction. He is aided by Wilson's own son Richard and Daredevil becomes as much of target of this alliance as Wilson himself. All of this ultimately leads to Daredevil's true identity as Matt Murdock being printed by the media. As you can imagine, chaos ensues and Matt is faced with some serious soul-searching and hard choices. Throughout the course of this very long arc we get to see a little of Black Widow, Elektra, Luke Cage and Ben Urich, along with a host of C and D-List villains. All-in-all this was a very well structured and crafted story arc and it alone makes this TPB collection more than worth its purchase price.
Out
Issues #38-40
White Tiger (Hector Ayala) is falsely accused of murdering a police officer and he is to be put on trial. Due to his own recent bout with being outed as a super hero (see previous arc), Matt is reluctant to take the case at all. Luke Cage and Daniel Rand pressure him though and he eventually relents and takes on the case. From there the 3-issue arc is essentially an episode of Law & Order. Not a lot of action, but a very well crafted courtroom drama with a surprising ending. Nothing spectacular, but a well done bookend to this 3 arc collection.
In summary, this is a very solid collection and I am glad for having purchased it. I have a new found respect and appreciation for Daredevil and I look forward to reading more of his exploits. I really like the contrast between the pursuit of legal justice during the day in the courtroom and scaling the rooftops looking for vigilante justice by night.
Collection overall rating: 7/10
