Marvel Immersion Project: Daredevil #162-166

Writer Roger McKenzie broke into the comic book industry in 1976 with a story called "Ground Round" in Vampirella #50, published by Warren Publishing.  He worked for DC Comics, too, creating the western character Cinnamon.  He and artist Frank Miller first worked together on a story for Marvel's Weird War Tales #68.

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Daredevil #162

Originally Published January 1, 1980

Writer: Michael Fleisher

Artist: Steve Ditko

• The Daredevil/Hulk story promised at the end of the previous issue wasn't ready in time.  So, Fleisher and Ditko created a filler.
• In light of Frank Miller's recent debut with the series, it's especially interesting to see the art of Ditko, the most straight-laced of Marvel's old guard - back to the Joe Varsity aesthetic.
• Struck with amnesia, Matt Murdock stumbles into a boxing career with a shady promoter, Mr. Hyle.  All goes great until Hyle orders Murdock to throw a fight and Murdock refuses to do so.

Jack Murdock via Marvel Database

• His memory clicks back in when Murdock remembers his father Jack was also a professional boxer.  Jack's murder at the hands of gamblers in a similar situation prompted Matt to take on the Daredevil role in the first place.

Daredevil #163

March 1, 1980

Roger McKenzie/Frank Miller

• Murdock senses Hulk loose in the city and goes to confront him.
• Murdock talks him talk down to Bruce Banner calm but then the New York Subway commuters ramp him up to Hulk.
• Daredevil and Hulk brawl.  Hulk wins but doesn't finish DD off.
• At issue's end, Daredevil lays motionless in the street.

via Marvel Database

• My first encounter with Blake Tower, a friend of Murdock's, currently running for re-election as District Attorney.

Daredevil #164

May 1, 1980

McKenzie/Miller

• Daredevil is in the hospital, recovering from his battle with Hulk.  Many superheroes pay him well-wishing visits.
• Journalist Ben Urich also stops by, telling DD that he is put the pieces together: Matt Murdock and Daredevil are one and the same.
• DD fesses up and tells Urich the whole story of his childhood, his father's boxing career and how his father's murder led him to become Daredevil.
• Urich is convinced not to publish the story.

Daredevil #165

July 1, 1980

McKenzie/Miller

• Daredevil battles Doc Ock.
• Believing (correctly) that Matt is still in love with Heather Glenn, Black Widow leaves both him and New York.

Daredevil #166

September 1, 1980

McKenzie/Miller

• It is the day of Deborah and Foggy's wedding.  Matt Murdock is Best Man.

via Marvel Database

• Of course, there's a complication: Gladiator (alias: Melvin Potter; a different Gladiator from the one we met in X-Men #107) has taken a group of children hostage in a museum.  Can Daredevil rescue the children and still make it back in time for the nuptials? [Spoiler: yes]