Daredevil #1

Mark Waid - Writer

Chris Samnee - Artist

Javier Rodriguez - Colorist

VC’s Joe Caramagna - Letterer

 

Daredevil #1 may not be the radical next chapter in the series that I would have hoped for a new number one, but relaunching in todays market seems to be a necessary evil. The shift that this issue focuses around is Matt Murdock’s new residence. His new home is strange, as for any average superhero relocating would be hell, but for a blind man it is a special kind of hell. The book does a great job cutting the action in between the inner turmoil. Matt was in a very strange place towards the last issue of his own series, now he is back to his former mostly smiling self, which is a relief since the doom and gloom of the last series was starting to bubble to the surface in a big way. This tale functions as an entertaining superhero procedural television episode. There's a problem that is related to the overall plot which gets solved via a couple of twists towards the third act. Luckily this installment takes advantage of Daredevil’s radar sense and his new problem quite well, it also gives Kirsten McDuffie an entertaining role in this story.

 

In the first scene of the story, author Mark Waid does a good job making Murdock look both impressive and arrogant, as he is obviously attempting to show off for some of his new friends. There is also a great comparison drawn as to why the new location affects the hornhead differently from the previous one. Waid has mastered the art of showing and not telling as he obviously trusts his penciller, but is still willing to put down some small caption boxes as needed. This equates to the book skillfully not being overwritten like the comics of the past. Even though the story is wrapped up nicely in this chapter, there is a lingering question placed at the end that will be on the forefront of everyone’s mind. I won’t spoil it here, but it is definitely noticeable in this installment before the last page reveal, and it will leave many counting down the days until the next issue.

 

Samnee is a master storyteller, but you already knew that. Seriously though, he is without a doubt one of the greatest artists working in the in comics these days. The splash pages in this issue are killer, and recall the greats like  Steranko and company. The real talent of the artist, comes in his marked restraint. He never sacrifices storytelling for cool page layouts, and obviously thinks through the composition of each panel very carefully in relation to the tale being told. The artistry doesn’t stop in the layouts either, as the facial expressions are some of the most bold this side of Marvel comics. Readers will never be confused by what any character of this tale is thinking, whether it is Daredevil himself or the pedestrians he risks his life in order to save. There are many factors such as the penciller that make this tale so easy to read and enjoy.

This issue of Daredevil is a great new entry into the series by Samnee and Waid, even if it isn’t 100% worthy of a new #1.