Comic Review – “Daredevil: Wake Up”

Brian Michael Bendis’ first story arc on Daredevil puts the
emphasis on Ben Urich instead. Does it work?

General Information

Title: Daredevil: Wake Up

Author: Brian Michael Bendis

Illustrator: David Mack

Original Publication Date: 2003 reprint of material first published
from 2001-2002.

ISBN: 0-7851-0948-X

Cover Price: $9.99 US, $15.95 Can

Buy from: Amazon.com
or Amazon.ca

Premise

Ben Urich investigates the link between Daredevil and the
catatonic
son of Leapfrog.

High Point

Daredevil’s commentary on his rogue gallery.

Low Point

Daredevil was caught off-guard by a man who lifted a metal pipe
off a
concrete surface? I don’t buy it.

The Scores

This is a very original storyline. The plot, delivery,
and
focus are all unlike anything I’ve seen in comics. I give it 6 out of
6.

The artwork had some nice looking faces, but some
downright
ugly backgrounds. The faces weren’t consistent, either. I give it
3
out of 6.

The story was well plotted and delivered. Apart from
the one
“Low Point” moment, it’s extremely well done. I give it 5 out of 6.



The characterization is excellent. Ben Urich, Leap
Frog, and
Leap Frog’s family all come through clearly. Leap Frog’s home
life is
clear and extremely plausible. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response this produced was also
great. The
reader can share Urich’s doubt and drive, while still getting a kick
out of the comedic moments. (“I blamed it all on Spider-Man.”) I
give it 5 out of 6.

The flow was impeded by the painted art. The
backgrounds
would sometimes shift in representation from panel to panel in a
jarring fashion, and painted art has a difficult time conveying a
sense of motion from one panel to the next. (Alex Ross is the
only
artist that seems able to overcome this problem.) I give it 4 out
of 6.

Overall, it’s a good story that’s also entertaining. If
you
don’t expect a superhero story, but instead a detective story in a
world with superheroes, you’ll be fine. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Daredevil: Wake Up receives 33 out of 42.