Book of the Week 9/6/07 Daredevil: Battlin' Jack Murdock #4(of 4)

Written by Zeb Wells
Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Letters by Artmonkeys Studio


I've actually been reading this mini since it came out but I never mentioned it on the podcast because I felt like I had to read it all the way through to see if it would be a hit or miss.


This story was a hit.



Battlin' Jack Murdock is a re-telling of Daredevil's origin but through the view of his father. Matt Murdock got his powers when he was in an accident but he didn't become a hero until his father's death. Anyone who knows of Daredevil's origin know that his father is killed because he refuses to throw a fight and that's what is depicted in this story. Each issue takes place during that said fight and we get flashbacks into the life of Jack Murdock and how that leads to fight's end as we have known it.


The reason why I was so impressed with this book is because Wells and Di Giandomenico really point out that Jack Murdock is a normal guy. He's a drunk, he has a temper, and he can be a horrible father. But you also see this man fight against his demons and fight for his son. I really came away from this story feeling like I knew who Jack Murdock was and I truly believe that he loved his son.


It took me four issues to decide but go back and buy this book. If you're a Daredevil fan you'll love it, and if you're not, you'll love it too. The writing is solid, the art is beautiful and there's more heart in this story than I've seen in comics in a while, maybe ever.


Good fight Jack.