Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America – #1

Marvel Comics

The Marvel Universe’s answer to “”Death of Superman”” yarn comes almost a decade too late, but means no less. The death of Captain America has been branded by many fanboys as a publicity move, but a lot of impending judgment will depend on how Marvel handles the aftermath of the icon’s murder. The “”Fallen Son”” series explores that aftermath, starting with scribe-vet Jeph Loeb offering a rare, humanizing look at hard-ass mutie Wolverine. But more importantly, the issue kicks off the crucial storyline that will undoubtedly be on every Marvel-centric shelf for ages to come.

Daredevil – #82-87

Marvel Comics

Hot-shot comic scribe Ed Brubaker understands readers’ tortured romance with Daredevil – it’s just as feverish as it is painful. Super-lawyer Matt Murdock has seen his life shattered, reformed, then obliterated again by the best in the business: Frank Miller bankrupts him, Kevin Smith kills his woman and Brian Michael Bendis jails him in issues leading up to #82. Brubaker continues that tradition of greatness – still entrenched in the character’s tenets of tragedy and rebirth – at one of the lowest points in Murdock’s life. The arc maneuvers jailhouse plots with sharp expertise, making for the best drama in the clink since “”Prison Break.””