REVIEW: ‘Daredevil: One More Day,’ Issue #1

Daredevil: One More Day #1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Chip Zdarsky, art by Manuel Garcia and Chris Mooneyham, inks by Le Beau Underwood, colors by Rachelle Rosenberg and letters by Clayton Cowles. Mike Murdock finds himself in an interesting position. He’s real, but only sort of. Willed into existence by accident, everything he remembers is false. He never was. But if something can make him real, can something else make him a past?

One of the most interesting things about science fiction and fantasy is considering what kinds of effects the fantastical situations would have on the characters they happen to. Daredevil: One More Day #1’s look at Mike Murdock is an excellent example of this. What would it be like to know, factually, you never had a childhood. That you never grew up? Not that you don’t remember it, but it flat out wasn’t there. That you could actually make an argument that you as a person should not exist. The psychological ramifications feel mind-bending to me. Luckily for Mike, he lives in the Marvel Universe. And anything can be rewritten if you can get your hands on the necessary power to do it with.

Daredevil: One More Day #1 gives Mike the opportunity to write himself that history. Happily, even before this opportunity occurs writer Zdarsky does a great job making Mike feel altogether real. While his situation is one that is completely un-relatable his writing of Mike allows the character to be sympathetic regardless. Even though he is currently working with the Hood as a criminal, this situation feels understandable. After all, how does one get those all too important life lessons about character and goodness growing up if one never actually grew up?

Upon acquiring the power to write his past for himself, Daredevil: One More Day #1 takes the reader through a speed run of Mike’s new life. seeing him growing up with Matt, being a bit of a problem child, and even being present at the infamous final fight of Battlin’ Jack Murdock was an interesting experience. The story here creates a strong setup for wherever Mike will go from here.

That setup, however, is the only reason I’d recommend picking up Daredevil: One More Day #1. It serves its character well, but has no payoff in and of itself. So if you are just looking for a one-shot Daredevil story to pick up, you should probably look elsewhere.

The art in this book is split into two. While Garcia handles the present-day art, Mooneyham provides the art for Mike’s newly minted backstory.  These two styles provide a distinctive divide between the two parts of the story, while not being so distant from each other as to be jarring. The art is further aided by Rosenberg’s colors. The colorwork augments the mood of the story nicely, further enhancing its emotional delivery.

And rounding out Daredevil: One More Day #1’s visual presentation is a solid lettering effort by Cowles. As always Cowles provides a clear and easy to follow the flow with his lettering.

When all is said and done Daredevil: One More Day #1 provides an interesting setup for Mike Murdock’s future. It gives the character a strong motivation for future stories. After all, he has a life to work for now.

Daredevil: One More Day #1 is available on August 26th wherever comics are sold.