First a note to those who are wondering why I’m only covering the early stuff: Don’t worry, volume 2 and subjects more relevant to the entire run of the book will all be covered, I guarantee it. It’s just that looking at some early things sparks new ideas for other topics also related to the earlier issues.
One such issue was the attention given to what it is Matt Murdock does with his suit when he’s busy being Daredevil. Back in those days, the cane was easy. It simply transformed into his billy club. While it has never been stated anywhere, I’m convinced that’s not the case anymore, but I’ll get to that in another post. The suit, however, was a bit of a problem. Just look (under the cut) at this delightful panel from Daredevil #3 of Daredevil bouncing his suit, rolled into a ball, across the roof tops.
Matt bouncing his clothes
Caption: Brimming with excitement, Matt Murdock leaves the office, changing back to Daredevil as soon as he is safely out of sight! And then, rolling his wrinkle-proof suit into a tight ball, he races towards his goal at breakneck speed…
Another interesting thing about the early issues – unrelated to the suit problem – is that we learn that the early Matt was very adamant about defending the bad guys as well as the good guys, with Foggy being the more selective one when deciding what cases to take, as we learn from Matt’s monologue:
I’ve been anxious to learn more about this mysterious Owl… and this is the chance of a lifetime! I’ve tried to explain to Foggy that every man is entitled to a lawyer! If we attorneys refuse to help accused people because we think they’re guilty, then we’re judging them without trial! Besides, the Owl intrigues me! I want to learn more about him! Ah, I hear the court house bell chiming! It’s time for me to change back to Matt Murdock, and call upon my new client! The suit problem finds a temporary solution in the following issue:
Matt thinking about where to store his clothes
Description: The caption reads “Later, as the man without fear returns to his office…” Matt thinks to himself: “I have a feeling that it will soon be time for Daredevil to go into action again, and I’ve just thought of a way to improve the efficiency of my costume! …I’m going to design a hood for my shoulders… then I’ll be able to fold my street clothes and conceal then under it so they’ll always be handy!”
Matt making a hood
Description: The caption reads “Anyone looking into Matt Murdock’s apartment that night would see the incredible sight of a man threading a needle and sewing in the dark!” Matt thinks to himself, while sewing: “It’s amazing how my other senses can compensate for my lack of sight! My sense of touch is so acute that this is child’s play for me! There! It seems to fit perfectly! And I can close it easily by using one of those new contact-type zippers! Now to see if all my outer clothes will fit!” Caption: “And fit they do! Again guided by his uncanny sense of touch, the sightless adventurer is able to contain a complete change of clothes within his cleverly designed new shoulder pouch!”
So, about that hood… I guess we haven’t seen that one in a while. At least it’s nice to see that even superheros aren’t above having some really mundane problems.
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