Date: October 1983 Publisher: Marvel Comics Group Cover Price: 60¢ Stats: 22 color pages plus ads, Bullpen Bulletins and “Devil’s Advocate” letters page Writer: Denny O’Neil Artists: William Johnson, Danny Bulanadi, Bob Sharen and Joe Rosen Notable Notes: Daredevil battles ninjas… in Japan!
I am fascinated by Japan. Back in my first year of college I took a year of Japanese, then actually spent a few weeks in Japan with some native students. It was a truly wonderful experience! The ancient capital of Kyoto is one of the coolest places I have ever been. Now-a-days, China, and to some extent Korea, are the really big players from Asia, but when I was growing up in the 1980s the Japanese were the up-and-comers that were causing people here to worry about their jobs. But also there was a general fascination with ninjas, samurai, Japanese business practices and Godzilla movies! So it was with great pleasure that I read this issue – where my favorite superhero travels to my one of my favorite countries. And with the superb writing and art it certainly didn’t disappoint! Read the rest of this entry »
Date: March 1972 Publisher: Marvel Comics Group Cover Price: 20¢ 2018 Price Range: $3 – $35 Stats: 21 color pages plus ads, Marvel Bullpen Bulletins and letters page Writer: Gerry Conway Artists: Gene Colan, Syd Shores and Jon Costa Notable Notes: DD battles The Gladiator in the sky (on a 747!)
Last year, as I was flying home from San Francisco on United airlines, I heard the news that the coolest passenger jet ever was being retired from service. I was a bit sad to hear that, because I liked 747s. I only flew on one a few times, but it was always fun to see them parked in terminals, with their big double-decker bubble heads. Anyway, this comic book was a blast to read because nearly the entire issue takes place on one of those iconic jets! I think it would have been cool if the last 747s left in service would have ordered a bunch of copies of this issue and distributed them to passengers – you know, as a kind of farewell gift! Read the rest of this entry »
Date: September 2013 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: $2.99 Stats: 21 color pages plus ads Writer: Mark Waid Artists: Javier Rodriguez, Joe Caramagna and Chris Samnee Notable Notes: A bully from Matt’s past shows up!
Have you ever had someone from your childhood show up in your adult life? I have a few times, but it has never been someone that I really disliked or hated. I think that would be kind of hard to handle. In this issue we get to see Matt deal with that very thing as a bully from his childhood comes looking for his help. How would you react? Well, there is a reason Matt is a superhero – and it doesn’t always have to do with his physical abilities either!
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Date: August 2013 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: $2.99 Stats: 21 color pages plus ads and “Letters Without Fear”. Writer: Mark Waid Artists: Chris Samnee, Javier Rodriguez, Joe Caramagna Notable Notes: Bullseye explains it all!
Have you ever created a good plan – you know, a really great strategy – and had it work flawlessly? I have a few times – although not as often as I would have liked! It feels good though, knowing that you put your intellect to work and it paid off. In this issue we get to see the fruit of Daredevil’s labors – and they turn out pretty good, which is really cool!
Date: July 2013 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: $3.99 Stats: 21 color pages plus ads, 2 pages of behind-the-scenes and an 8 page back-up story. Writer: Mark Waid Artists: Chris Samnee, Javier Rodriguez, Joe Caramagna Notable Notes: Daredevil finds out who has been behind his recent attacks!
I am a big fan of science fiction novels, and one of my favorite series is Alastair Reynolds Revelation Space books. There are some rich people who seal themselves inside motorized boxes so that they can avoid contact with the nano-technology destroying Melding Plague. Anyway, there is a character in this issue of Daredevil that reminded me of those Palanquins, but this one can’t move and the brain behind it is still very deadly!
Date: June 2013 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: $2.99 Stats: 21 color pages plus ads and “Letters Without Fear” Writer: Mark Waid Artists: Chris Samnee, Javier Rodriguez, Joe Caramagna Notable Notes: Daredevil meets someone just like him… well, almost.
I know that Matt’s dad was a big part of his life, and ultimately the reason he became Daredevil. However, the “father” card has been played a few too many times for my taste. So I wasn’t expecting much out of this issue when I saw the cover – but boy was I surprised, and in a good way too! Mark Waid and the current creative team on DD have managed to create another awesome issue – cementing their place as the best team to *ever* work on Daredevil!
Date: May 2013 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: $2.99 Stats: 21 color pages plus ads and “Letters Without Fear” Writer: Mark Waid Artists: Chris Samnee, Javier Rodriguez, Joe Caramagna Notable Notes: Someone is methodically targeting Daredevil!
I don’t hate hospitals, but I don’t particularly like being in them either. There is always that “hospital” smell, and lots of action and noises going on. It’s a hard place to relax. But if you don’t like them either, you’ll be glad to know that Matt Murdock especially hates them! Yep, can you imagine having to spend time in a hospital with super-sensitive senses? Yeah, it would probably be quite uncomfortable!
Date: April 2013 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: $2.99 Stats: 21 color pages plus ads Writer: Mark Waid Artists: Chris Samnee, Javier Rodriguez, Joe Caramagna Notable Notes: Matt and Foggy spend a night on the town – DD style!
When I was younger (um, yeah, younger…) I used to dream about what it would be like to spend time with a super hero. Wouldn’t it be cool to swing along with Spidey, watch Captain America whirl his shield or tag along with Thor as he put the hurt on the villains of the world? Well, in this issue we get a small glimpse of what that would be like as Daredevil takes along a very important passenger. And how cool it is!
Date: March 2013 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: $2.99 Stats: 21 color pages plus lots of house ads Writer: Mark Waid Artists: Chris Samnee, Javier Rodriguez, Joe Caramagna, Paolo Rivera Notable Notes: Daredevil and Spider-Ock battle Stilt-man!
Ah Stilt-man, what a bizarre enemy for Daredevil to have! I mean, a man who has telescoping legs – really? Anyway, as I was reading this issue I realized that I have the actual issue in which Mr. Long-legs makes his first appearance! Maybe I’ll have to dig out my copy of Daredevil #8 and give it a read now that this crazy villain has made somewhat of a modern come-back!
Date: February 2013 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: $3.99 Stats: 21 color pages plus ads and “Letters Without Fear” column Writer: Mark Waid Artists: Chris Samnee, Javier Rodriguez, Joe Caramagna, Paolo Rivera Notable Notes: Daredevil solves the mystery of Coyote, The Spot and Foggy’s client all at once!
I mostly quit buying new comics about a year ago. Not that I don’t like them, or think they’re bad – I just wasn’t willing to shell out so much money gambling on whether the issues would be good or not. The big exception, of course, is my favorite hero: Daredevil. Although I don’t have a pull-list at the local shop anymore, I still order the latest DD comics online every few months so that I can keep up with this awesome series. This most recent batch cost me a few extra dollars because issues #21 and #22 were more expensive and harder to find. Oh well, it was worth it and that is the price of being a collector right?
Date: February 1966 Publisher: Marvel Comics Group Cover Price: 12¢ 2013 Price Range: $11 – $210 Stats: 20 color pages plus ads, Marvel Bullpen Bulletins and “Let’s Level With Daredevil” letters page Writer: Stan Lee Artists: Jack Kirby, John Romita, Sam Rosen Notable Notes: In which we find out out Ka-Zar’s origin!
I bought this issue years ago purely for the cover. (Well, that and I am a big Daredevil fan too!) I remember as a little kid growing up during the Bronze Age seeing this iconic image of Daredevil on posters as well as in books and reprints. I loved it then and I love it now! I would say that along with Thor #337 the cover of Daredevil #13 is one of the greatest covers in comic book history! I just wish I could say the same for the story inside.
Date: August 1988 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: 75¢ 2013 Price Range: $1.00 – $10.00 Stats: 22 color pages plus ads, Bullpen Bulletins and “Devil’s Advocate” letters page. Writer: Ann Nocenti Artists: John Romita Jr, Al Williamson, Joe Rosen, Max Scheele Notable Notes: Daredevil battles The Punisher!
Lucy once told Charlie Brown to quit being so wishy-washy – and the same line could be used here as well. Matt can’t seem to make up his mind over whether he likes Karen or Mary more. Daredevil can’t decide if the courts should serve up justice or if he should dish it out vigilante style. Mary can’t decide if she should sway the Kingpin or Matt Murdock. And The Punisher… aw, whom I kiddin’ – he just kills all the bad guys!
Date: July 1988 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: 75¢ 2013 NM Price: $5.00 Stats: 29 color pages plus ads, Bullpen Bulletins and “Devil’s Advocate” letters page. Writer: Ann Nocenti Artists: John Romita Jr, Al Williamson, Joe Rosen, Max Scheele Notable Notes: “Blindspots” – where Matt has to make a lot of moral decisions!
Have you ever been attracted to someone when you know you shouldn’t be? (And if you say “no” I’ll think you’re lying!) I have – and yeah, its a strange feeling that’s for sure! How you act (or re-act) to that attraction is really the bigger and more important question, and in this issue we get to see Matt go through a roller-coaster of emotions as he tries to decide between the lovely Karen Page (with all her baggage) and the sweet, sexy Mary (with her crazy dual personalities!) Hmm… which one will win I wonder? I know who I’m rooting for!
Date: June 1988 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: 75¢ 2013 NM Price Range: $5.00 Stats: 31 color pages plus Bullpen Bulletins and ads Writer: Ann Nocenti Artists: John Romita Jr, Al Williamson, Joe Rosen, Max Scheele Notable Notes: Typhoid Mary begins her plan of destruction!
Here’s an issue of Daredevil (one of many, I’m afraid) where the technicalities of a high profile trial and all the legal planning that precedes it kind of gets in the way of the story. But hey – it’s Daredevil and Typhoid Mary so it’s gotta be good… right? Right?!
Date: May 1988 Publisher: Marvel Comics Cover Price: 75¢ 2013 Price Range: $1.00 – $8.00 Stats: 31 color pages plus Bullpen Bulletins and ads Writer: Ann Nocenti Artists: John Romita Jr, Al Williamson, Joe Rosen, Max Scheele Notable Notes: Origin and 1st appearance of Typhoid Mary!
So, after reviewing Daredevil #168 (which includes the origin and 1st appearance of Elektra) I was in the mood to try another of Daredevil’s femme fatale firsts: Typhoid Mary! By the way, did you know there was a real Typhoid Mary? Yep, poor lady! I’m not sure how much she influenced this comic book version – but I’ll let you know as I get more into the storyline. Anyway, I remember when this comic book hit the stands – and although I didn’t read it then I figured it was high time to give it a try. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit! Here are my thoughts about it…
