‘Daredevil #1’ Review
Written by Chip Zdarsky | Art by Marco Checchetto | Published by Marvel Comics
I can’t remember the last time I reviewed a Daredevil book which, on the face of it, is unusual. Daredevil is one of my top three Marvel characters, and one I’ve been a huge fan of since the late 70’s/ early 80’s. That’s right, he existed pre-Frank Miller. Matt Murdock has always been a hugely interesting character to write, and for me the two personas are so different it is like writing two different characters. Daredevil is the swashbuckling defender of Hell’s Kitchen, Matt Murdock the lawyer who’ll defend anyone in need. Nearly as iconic as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Superman/ Clark Kent when you think of it. He is also as a character very adaptable, and most writers have a very personal take on him. This time round, Chip Zdarsky gets his shot.
Let’s take a look.
The first thing to mention here is that if you haven’t been following recent events concerning Wilson Fisk, you’ll be a tad confused with the beginning of this book, as stylish as it is. Fisk is no longer Kingpin. He’s faked his own death and left his son as the new Kingpin; a nice little gift I think you’ll agree. The book starts with Daredevil and Spider-Man making sure that if Kingpin Jr. doesn’t stick to his promise of being an all-round nicer guy that his father, they’ll be back to deal with him. Shots fired. I’ve always found the friendship between Spidey and Daredevil an interesting one, considering the difference in their temperaments. Street level buds I guess, there’s probably a club or something. Zdarsky here doubles down on that friendship by having Matt re-reveal his secret identity to Spidey, despite everyone’s knowledge of it having been recently erased.
We then launch into what is essentially Matt’s farewell tour. He’s leaving and wants the bad guys to know just because he won’t be around doesn’t mean plenty of others aren’t there to step up. Elektra being the most obvious of course. This is still bad luck Matt of course, so he still manages to miss saying goodbye to a former lover, and has a, um, interesting encounter with a former friend. Let’s just say he seems to be a lot more than Matt thought he was. That one’s going to be a thread running through the first few issues I’m willing to bet. So, Matt’s gone. Where? Why? Zdarsky doesn’t bother with such trifles; you go look it up. That’s confidence for you.
We also get a substantial back-up featuring Elektra, written by Zdarsky with art by Rafael De Latorre. She’s now on an island, with the ever friendly and talkative former mentor Stick. Just kidding, he’s still as grouchy as ever. The island in question, where I assume Daredevil will be arriving shortly, is Makanrushi, situated between Japan and Russia. Why are Elektra and Stick there? It’s where The Fist were first formed and will be the place for their rebirth to fight back against The Hand. If Matt, Elektra, and Stick can stop bickering of course.
Although mainly an issue re-setting the status quo, not much concession was made for new readers. The new direction is interesting, with Zdarsky obviously feeling urban warrior Matt needs a new challenge and new location to inject new life into the book. Be interesting to see if he succeeds, as generally these sorts of things fail. The art, by Marc Checchetto in the main story, is excellent, the squeezing of multiple panels onto the page making the city feel dirty and claustrophobic. The storytelling is paced beautifully too. The art in the Elektra back-up is equally impressive, the fight between Stick and Elektra especially well done.
An interesting new direction. Is it better the Devil you know, or is the Devil always in the detail? Only time, and Chip Zdarsky, can tell.
