Issue(s): Daredevil #194
Cover Date: May 83
Title: "Judgement"
Credits:
Denny O'Neil - Writer
Klaus Janson - Penciler
Klaus Janson - Inker
Linda Grant - Editor

Review/plot:
Jeremiah Jenk is an old man, but he used to be an expert criminal counterfeiter.

Before that, he grew up in a religious community (a fictional analogue of the Amish), and he killed his abusive father when he was young. Now that he is near death, he wants redemption and re-admittance to his community. His brother is one of the Elders of the community, and he was there when Jeremiah killed their father (in fact, he was goading his father on)...

...and he's not interested in re-admitting Jeremiah.

Jeremiah hires Matt Murdock to argue his case for him. He also requests protection from the Kingpin...

...but the Kingpin's goons just complicate things.

In the end the plea is rejected, and Matt realizes that the candles that Jeremiah uses to light his room are actually poisoned. He rushes home in time to save Jeremiah's life. But in the end Jeremiah decides to return home anyway, and face whatever punishment his brother and his community will dish out to him.

An unusual sort of story. I liked it. Klaus Janson's art is great as usual; i really liked the smokey scenes with Daredevil fighting the Kingpin's goons.

Quality Rating: B-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• Jeremiah Jenk says that if Matt Murdock was able to free Melvin Potter (the Gladiator), "perhaps his great skill at arguing can soften the elders' wrath". Jenk must have his information wrong. Gladiator's trial ended in Daredevil #175, but it was Foggy who found the precedent that won the case.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A