Daredevil #66-70 (2004-2005): Golden Age; 1st White Tiger (del Toro)

This tale takes place in the past, where we see a man named Alexander Bont kill a superhero called The Defender.

That part of the story is in black-and-white, but his murder of Defender elevates him to the boss of New York City crime.

In that role, he is linked to the murder of Jack Murdock and incurs the wrath of Golden Age Daredevil.

Bont hires Gladiator to kill Daredevil. Gladiator fails. Bont goes to prison. But of course, being who he is, Matt Murdock defends him in court.

While Bont’s doing time, a young Wilson Fisk decides to visit Hell’s Kitchen.

Released as an old man, Bont again forces Gladiator to attack Daredevil.

The fight is broken up by a new White Tiger character, who defeats poor Melvin Potter.

She’s one of the FBI agents investigating Matt Murdock, and the niece of the last White Tiger.

Daredevil helps her figure out how to use the amulet to get her super karate powers.

Cool. (Her uncle, Hector Ayala White Tiger, appears as well, in a flashback

After this, Bont takes mutant growth hormone, hulks out, and beats up Daredevil for a bit before his heart explodes and he dies.

As far as Bendis’ run goes, this is one of the more straightforward arcs–but it is rich with homage to the past and a great read. The stories of the past and present are woven together and revealed gradually, with the brilliant Alex Maleev employing a variety of art styles (black and white, dot matrix, etc.) to convey the various time periods.

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