Daredevil #65

Title :"The Universe"
Writer:Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler:Michael Golden/Greg Horn/P. Craig Russell/Phil Hester/Chris Bachalo/Jae Lee/David Finch/Frank Quitely/Alex Maleev
Inker:Michael Golden/Greg Horn/P. Craig Russell/Ande Parks/Tim Townsend/Jae Lee/David Finch/Frank Quitely/Alex Maleev
Cover:Greg Land/Matt Ryan
Colours:Justin Ponsor/Greg Horn/Chris Bachalo/June Chung/Frank Darmata
Letters:Virtual Calligraphy's Randy Gentile
Editor:Jennifer Lee
Assistant Editor:Cory Sedlmeier
Date:Nov.2004
Cover Price:3.99,5.75

Characters

Angela Del Toro
Ben Urich
Bullseye
Captain America
Daredevil
Dr. Strange
FBI Director Leland Drummond
Foggy Nelson
Hulk
Jennifer
Karen Page
Luke Cage
Mary Jane Parker
Matt Murdock
Mr. Hyde
Nick Fury
Punisher
Reed Richards
Spider-Man
The Hand
Wong

Daredevil #64


Daredevil #66

Alex Maleev
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 100 500
Volume 3 - 7
Volume 4 - 1.50 2 16
Volume 5 - 1 11
Volume 6 - 1
Volume 7 - 2 3
Volume 8 - None
Ande Parks
Volume 1 - 338 339 340
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Brian Michael Bendis
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 16 17 18 19 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 500
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - 1.50
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Chris Bachalo
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
David Finch
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65 86
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Frank Quitely
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Greg Horn
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Greg Land
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - 31
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Jae Lee
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 0.5 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Matt Ryan
Volume 1 - -1 353 354 355 356 357 359 360 361 362 364 365
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Michael Golden
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - 1
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
P. Craig Russell
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Phil Hester
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None
Tim Townsend
Volume 1 - None
Volume 2 - 65
Volume 3 - None
Volume 4 - None
Volume 5 - None
Volume 6 - None
Volume 7 - None
Volume 8 - None

Issue Summary

Summary by Jared Ward

14 Months Before Alexander Bont's Release from Ryker's Island

A shadowed figure aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier watches a viewing screen displaying the front page of the Daily Globe that outted Matt Murdock as Daredevil, a flash back to events from issue 32 (vol. II). We see the eyes of the figure, revealing one to be covered by an eye patch. He is Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and friend of Matt Murdock. Meanwhile, back in Hell's Kitchen, Foggy and Matt have to fend off the raging paparazzi that has surrounded their law office. After making wading through the ruthless media, they enter their law office to find their secretary taking as many calls as she possibly can, refusing interview after interview for reporters and etc. Matt notices a certain Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. standing in his office. Nick Fury tells Matt that he's "pretty much #$%*ed", explaining to a calm and collected Matt Murdock that not only are the media after him, but now his enemies will be as well. He offers Matt a way out: joining S.H.I.E.L.D. Matt seems insulted at the idea that Nick Fury thinks he's "cooked", and refuses the offer, believing himself capable of handling his newly further dis-jointed existance. Fury tells him the offer's always open, "Don't get dead first." Matt is visibly upset at the insult to his coping skills.

Meanwhile, flashing back to events that occurred in issue 34 (vol. II) Peter Parker, better known as Spider-Man, discovers the tragic news of Matt's ruined secret identity from a street vendor's paper stand featuring the new edition of the Daily Globe. Spider-Man lements his friend's latest troubles, having always naively believed himself to be the only one who knew Matt Murdock was Daredevil, not even telling his own wife, Mary Jane. After the disgruntled news vendor runs Spider-Man off, he resumes his life as Peter Parker and in desperation and guilt for his friend, heads to the Daily Bugle where he worked as a photographer for years to defend his friend from the wrath of the superhero hating news editor, J. Jonah Jameson. Ben Urich, journalist, confidant to Daredevil's secret, as well as his friend, is already talking to Jonah about the Daily Globe's big story. Urich flat denies that Daredevil and Matt Murdock are the same man, stating that he knows who Daredevil is, and lying that it's not Murdock. Peter Parker, overly zealous to defend Matt, backs up Urich, and makes the same declaration. Peter panics. He deduces that what he did was stupid, because Urich chases him out of the Daily Bugle building, having "small-talk", while secretly both are trying to figure out how the other knew of Matt's secret. Peter can only hope to himself "Please don't figure out I'm Spider-Man", and decides that he has to talk to Matt, personally.

Flashing back to events from issue 35 (vol. II), Spider-Man swings high above the reporters that have surrounded the Nelson Murdock law firm, hoping to speak with Matt, when suddenly, the barbaric and gruesome Mr. Hyde appears to take his revenge upon Matt Murdock for all the times Daredevil ruined him. Spider-Man acknowledges his own fear of Mr. Hyde's powers, but goes after him to protect Matt, subduing him greatly until Daredevil himself shows up to deliver the final blow. Amazed at Daredevil's courage, Spider-Man decides he and Daredevil must be alone to discuss Matt's current dillemna, and go high atop a building to talk. Although Spider-Man tries his best to get Matt to discuss his problems and accept his help, Matt seems distracted, and annoyed, and basically tells Spider-Man to stay away from him. Spider-Man is driven further into his own pointless guilt over this sad occurance in Daredevil's career. Peter heads home to be with Mary Jane, and comes to the realization he's feeling dread, not guilt, that next, the media and all his worst enemies will come for him after they destory Matt. He asserts that he'd lose everything, and that he's probably already lost Matt as a friend. Peter says within himself, "Good luck, Matt"

13 Months Before Alexander Bont's Release from Ryker's Island

Matt is seen walking in a park, tapping his cain on the ground in trying to keep with the blind routine. Steve Rogers, AKA, Captain America, steps out from behind the trees to thank his friend for meeting him. Matt seems alarmed that he's still in a Captain America shirt, asserting that there are people all around that may see them together, furthering suspicions of his dual-identity. Matt refuses Cap's invitation into the Avengers' mansion to talk. Cap wonders why Matt didn't come to the Avengers for help and protection after his outting. Matt states that he refused to taint Captain America and the other Avengers like he has everyone else in his life over his alter-ego. Matt then informs him that he never even thought of contacting Cap for help. Captain America extends a hand to a shocked Matt, reassuring his friend that in his experience, everything happens for a reason, and he wouldn't be surprised if all of Matt's troubles turned out for the best. They shake hands. Cap gives Matt one last bit of advice, that "waking up" from his decades spent being frozen in a block of ice after WWII, was the "hard part", symbolically referring to Matt's own personal awakening that he must undergo to rise above the tragedy in his life. "Tell me about it" Matt replies. They walk away uncomfortable, and distraught.

12 Months Before Alexander Bont's Release from Ryker's Island

The Punisher, once Frank Castle, is interrogating a thug regarding the Kingpin of Crime, AKA, Wilson Fisk's recent rise back to power in the back of Jose's Bar when he hears a deafening crashing noise in the bar-room. We flash back to events from issue 50 (vol. II). Daredevil has just crashed the Kingpin's car through the front of the bar, and thrown down a beaten and unconscious Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin. He delivers a convicting speech to the bar patrons, rebuking the evil they allow to thrive in Hell's Kitchen, and declaring himself the new Kingpin, as Dardevil pulls his mask off to reveal himself to the entire bar, and finally states his new rule: "Get out or change, Tonight!" The Punisher listens intently.

2 Months Later, 10 Months Before Alexander Bont's Release from Ryker's Island

Daredevil busts up a weapons shipment in Hell's Kitchen, seemingly taking them for himself from the now beaten thugs. The Punisher walks out, gun in hand, to confront Daredevil about taking the weapons, and more importanly, why he's seemingly "lost it" and became the new Kingpin, essentially making the two Marvel Knights, Daredevil and Punisher, enemies. The Punisher fires upon Daredevil, and a battle ensues. Daredevil, being the superior combatant as admitted by the Punisher himself in "Welcome Back, Frank" is subdued after an intense battle. Daredevil approaches the now unconscious Punisher, stating that if he hadn't have pointed the gun in his face, he'd have told the Punisher why he was taking the weapons from the thugs. He then uses the Punisher's cell phone to call the FBI.

12 Months Before Alexander Bont's Release from Ryker's Island

Flashing back to events from issue 56 (vol. II), a superhero intervention of sorts takes place when Stephen Strange, AKA, Dr. Strange, Reed Richards, AKA, Mr. Fantastic, Luke Cage, AKA, Power Man, and Peter Parker, AKA, Spider-Man confront Matt Murdock over his recently self-declared status as Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen, feeling that he upset the balance of New York City crime-fighting when making that move. Stephen Strange begins to give Matt a proverb from the Ancient One, his old master, when Matt suddenly gets mad and storms away with a "Yeah, you know what? Fine." Matt's dissapointed in himself for disrespecting his friends, especially Stephen Strange. Matt goes to the Sanctum Sanctorum, Dr. Strange's home, and temple, to apologize. He is startled by Strange's etheral self inviting him to come in, but then proceeds to apologize for disrespecting his wisdom and teachings. Strange invites him to have some tea. Over tea, Strange asks him how things have been going, and why Matt really came to see him. Matt replies not only to apologize, but to hear what the Ancient One had said. Doctor Strange recites a proverb, then recites another sensing that Matt didn't get the first. He then smiles and states that he has 1,309 more, but that Matt mustn't be a "proverb type". He compliments Matt on seeking spiritual guidance, and asks when the last time was that he attended church. We see a flashback of Karen Page's death from "Guardian Devil" in the church. After Matt reveals he's not married to Karen as Strange assumed, he asks the master of mysticism a very crucial question. Does Dr. Strange possess any kind of spell or potion to reverse everything that has happened to destroy Matt's life in recent times. "No", being his grim reply. Matt stares in morbid acceptance out of Dr. Stranges window at the raging storm outside. "Guess this is it then. This is my life."

The Day of Alexander Bont's Release from Ryker's Island

We see Daredevil perched upon a cathedral, running alongside the Incredible Hulk, and defeating hordes of Hand Ninjas in a series of full page art pieces. We pull back to reveal that they are pictures of Daredevil in action being posted by the FBI as they try to piece together incriminating evidence in their case against Matt Murdock. Agent Del Toro, the woman who's been put on the Murdock case, stares transfixed at the photo chart. The FBI Director informs Del Toro that Alexander Bont, whom Del Toro is unfamiliar with, has been released from Ryker's Island prison that day. The Director explains that Bont was the Kingpin of Crime before Wilson Fisk was, and that it's probably nothing...

To be continued in Issue 66 (vol. II) Part one of "Golden Age"

 

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