Daredevil: "The Final Jest!"

Daredevil #46 (1968)

By Stan Lee, Gene Colan, George Klein

Background: Framed for murder, Daredevil is in police custody.

So, What Happens? Daredevil wakes up in the prison infirmary, kayoes the inmate who was about to take his mask off and steals a doctor's jacket to disguise himself. Thanks to some abysmal security and a couple of lucky breaks, he eventually manages to escape the prison, exchange clothes with a beggar and return to Nelson & Murdock under the pretence that he was mugged. Finally free to go back home after a quick word with Foggy and Debbie, Matt pieces everything together and realizes the Jester is the man he is supposed to have murdered, and whom he later met on the subway. Matt then sets up a trap: dressed like the Jester, he goes on live TV for interviews, certain that the original criminal won't let someone else steal his thunder. Predictably, the Jester goes to the studios where Daredevil can reveal himself and eventually take him down after a prolonged fight. Unmasked, the Jester is recognized as the man DD was supposed to have killed and confesses on live TV, clearing the hero. 

Daredevil: "The Dismal Dregs of Defeat!"

Daredevil #45 (1968)

By Stan Lee, Gene Colan, Vince Colletta

Background: Framed for murder, Daredevil has been captured by the Jester and about to be handed to the police.

So, What Happens? A groggy Daredevil manages to escape, but the police arrange a manhunt and the hero is forced on the run. Since his past affiliation with Nelson & Murdock is known and he apparently doesn't have a change of clothes, Daredevil is unable to get home or reach his office to switch back to his civilian identity. After a couple of narrow escapes, he steals a coat, takes his mask off and tries the subway, but fate has the Jester being on the very same carriage. Recognizing his boots, the Jester gives the alarm and forces Daredevil to escape again, but at least the hero has a chance to memorize the Jester's voice and aftershave scent. The two of them end up on Liberty Island where DD is about to win the ensuing fight but has to save a falling policeman, who proves his gratitude by injecting him with anaesthetic. The unconscious hero is taken to the prison infirmary, where an inmate tries to unmask him.

Daredevil: "I, Murderer!"

Daredevil #44 (1968)

By Stan Lee, Gene Colan, Vince Colletta*

Background: Matt felt forced to reject Karen and the two broke up. She then quit Nelson & Murdock.

So, What Happens? Daredevil is distraught after breaking up with Karen but can't find her or explain his feelings. The Jester crime spree continues with mixed results, until he realizes someone is eventually bound to discover his secret identity and decides to fake his own death and frame Daredevil for the crime. He visits the police in his civilian identity stating he will reveal DD's secret ID at midnight on the Washington Bridge. Daredevil hears the claim and goes to investigate, but the Jester first calls for help, then makes it look like Daredevil is attacking him. In front of the TV cameras, the Jester seems to fall to his death pushed by Daredevil, with everyone unaware he had hidden a little submarine under the bridge. Framed, Daredevil is shot at by the police and forced to escape. Later, the Jester - now back in costume - promises on TV to capture the "murderer" Daredevil. The hero tries to stop him, but is felled with gas and captured by the police.

Daredevil: "Nobody Laughs at The Jester!"

Daredevil #42 (1968)

By Stan Lee, Gene Colan, Dan Adkins

Background: Matt made everyone believe he had a twin brother named Mike who was secretly Daredevil and has now died. Foggy is running for DA. 

So, What Happens? At Nelson & Murdock, everyone is mourning the heroic death of Daredevil, whom they believe to be Matt's twin Mike. Everyone, that is, except for Matt himself, who came up with that story. In the meantime, a new masked criminal calling himself the Jester is on the loose, using modified toys for his robberies. He is a former failed stage actor, who eventually decided to get revenge for his public's lack of appreciation. Candidate major Richard Raleigh reads about him and hires him to take care of Foggy, who is running for DA and he fears would be too difficult to corrupt. The Jester attacks when Foggy is out for a walk with his fiancé Debby, Karen and Matt, kidnapping the latter for leverage. Matt announces that the original Daredevil had trained a replacement before dying and switches to his superhero alter-ego as soon as he is alone. The fight with the Jester goes on longer than usual since Daredevil had not been keeping up with his training, but eventually DD lets his foe escape to find out who had hired him. At Raleigh's office, they find the candidate dead, but Jester manages to escape. 

Daredevil: "The Owl, Ominous Overlord of Crime!"

Daredevil #3 (1964)

By Stan Lee, Joe Orlando, Vince Colletta

So, What Happens? An accountant framed by the unscrupulous businessman known as the Owl suicides. Having found papers connecting the Owl to the illegal proceedings, the police arrest the man, who randomly chooses Nelson and Murdock to represent him in court. Intrigued by the Owl and his reputation, Matt accepts and arranges for him to be set temporarily free, making sure to memorize the man's distinctive traits with his special senses. The Owl never comes back to court so a warrant for his arrest is issued. Daredevil scours the city to pick up his trail, but the Owl has left by boat and moved to a fortress across the Hudson, where he is testing two new underlings known for their strength and skills: Sad Sam and "Ape" Horgon. Having been exposed, he has decided to openly become a criminal. Satisfied by the two men, the Owl keeps them in line by showing off his ability to glide thanks to his special cape. He then decides to hire Matt as a front for his operations and goes to NY to get him, but Matt senses his scent and has time to change into Daredevil and get the drop on the Owl and his men. Daredevil's skills and agility are too match for Sad Sam and Horgon, but before he can tackle the Owl, Karen Page accidentally enters the room and is taken hostage. With no other choice, Daredevil surrenders. He and Karen are taken to the Owl's fortress, where the mobster wants to show his prisoner to every gangster in town in order to be acknowledged as their boss. Left alone, Daredevil quickly escapes his cage and frees Karen. He then sends her to call the police whilst he finally faces the Owl, who's no match in a physical contest but still manages to escape thanks to his traps and gliding cape.