Review: Daredevil: End of Days
Oct 12, 2012 by     Comments Off on Review: Daredevil: End of Days    Posted In: Reviews

Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack bring us a story that will make your stomach twist. Klaus Janson and Bill Sienkiewicz captivate us visually as we watch in horror with what takes place. I just finished reading this, and its still clinging to me. It’s dark, gut wrenching, and sad, but by God, like the bystanders in this story, I need to be witness to this. Daredevil: End of Days is a much more serious take on Marvel’sThe End” storylines: stories set in some future where that character is pitted in one more major battle before they fade away forever. Here, it’s different. I’m getting too ahead of myself though. Let’s take a hard look at Bendis and Janson’s Daredevil: End of Days #1.

Daredevil is in the fight of his life. He and Bullseye have been going at it for upwards of an hour and a half. The fight is epic. When Matt gets knocked down, and everyone thinks it’s over, he gets right back up. The press is all around him, snapping pictures and recording the entire incident. Civilians are scattered around, doing the exact same thing. Recording on their phones, taking pictures on cameras. It’s the grudge match between two men that hate each other, and it’s a public spectacle. The fight takes a turn for the worst when Bullseye starts to get the upper hand. Right before the worst happens, Matt Murdock utters one word. “Mapone…” he says. Seconds later, Matt Murdock, otherwise known as Daredevil, is murdered.

Daredevil End of Days #1Wow. This story is captivating. It’s mesmerizing. It’s extremely harsh. That’s only four pages in. With the rest of the story, we’re lead along with Ben Urich, a reporter for the Daily Bugle who has just about had enough. He has to write the story that nobody else can tell. He doesn’t want to do this, but he must. Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack’s story is amazing. Bendis himself, when not stretched too thin by the multitude of other stories he has to write, is a force to be reckoned with. Add to that the power of David Mack and you’ve made for one very deep and emotional mystery as to not only the death of a hero, but ultimately what lead up to everything that took place in those first four pages. We follow Ben along as he learns of that one word that Matt utters before his death. What does it mean? Does it have anything to do with anything? It’s all too early to tell at this point, but one thing is certain: We’re in for one helluva ride.

You can’t tell a story like this without artwork to equally compliment it. Klaus Janson, with his pencils, and Bill Sienkiewicz with his inks and painting added to it, complement this book quite nicely. Janson’s artwork is gritty, rough, and though at times slightly rushed, traps you in its visuals. The brutal beating Daredevil takes at the hands of Bullseye. The Man without Fear’s history of what he has sacrifices for his city, or more importantly, Hell’s Kitchen. The final showdown between he and Kingpin. It’s hard to watch, but you must.

Bill Sienkiewicz is an artistic genius, but to have him take on the task of inks makes perfect sense. Just look at it. No detail is missed. Every line covered. I usually don’t mention Inkers when I do reviews, as I think it goes pretty much without saying that they do a wonderful job, but here, Sienkiewicz’ work just really stands out to me. In conjunction with Janson’s art, this is one of the best comics I’ve seen.

I am so hooked on this. Marvel has been slipping as of late with the likes of Marvel NOW!, cancelling Uncanny X-Men (again), and even ending Amazing Spider-Man at #700 (Arrrrgggghhhh!!!!), but here… Here, we have a comic that gets you. The cover alone is brutal in what is shows. I will say this though, Bendis and Mack let Daredevil go with his namesake: He is the Man Without Fear, and he doesn’t back down, even at the end. What an amazing issue. What a captivating comic. What a ride. I cannot wait for issue two.

 

Art: 8/10
Script
: 10/10
Parental concern
: It is rated T+, but it is full of violence, blood and maybe disturbing images.

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