Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The definative origin story, February 20, 2003
I bought these original issues that make up this trade paperback back when they first came out. Anyone who knows anything about comic books knows that when Frank Miller writes Daredevil, you don't miss it. Frank Miller carved his niche on Daredevil as an impressive artist, then later we discovered he was even more masterful as a writer when he took over the writing duties as well (see Daredevil Visionaries vol. 1, 2 and 3). Frank Miller's legendary run on Daredevil had long since past, and he had gone on to do works that he would become even more famous for; most notably his work on Batman for DC with Year One and The Dark Knight Returns (both equally fantastic). When it was announced that Miller would be doing a mini series called The Man Without Fear (essentially Daredevil: Year One) everyone interested in the medium knew it would be something special, and it was.Now Daredevil: The Movie is out after months and months of previews; previews that made me dread the release of this hollywood mucked up movie. Everytime I'd see a preview I'd think back to this definative Daredevil story. Not really knowing what the movie was going to be about, I would think there could be no better story for the film than this. Rather than digging the originals out of their storage, I decided to purchase the TPB not only so I could relive the magic, but so that I could let my girlfriend appreciate the real character and story before the film polluted her. She was interested in the movie (from the previews) and I knew we'd for sure be seing it. But I wanted her to see for herself, rather than have her suffer me trying to explain how the film missed. Needless to say, she read it (too fast I feel) and loved it, and I didn't have to explain anything. The movie missed the character and story just as I knew it would (see my review of the film) and now she's reading through the Daredevil Visionaries set. And this is someone who's never really read or been interested in comics. This book is amazing. The writing, while perhaps not Frank Miller's best, is deep and meaninful. He continues to prove to the world (that won't listen) that comics can be a legitimate medium of literature. John Romita Jr's art was just starting to come into it's own the time this series was drawn so is a litte rough around the edges in places, but wonderful none the less. If you know anything at all about the medium, you don't need to hear anything I just said. You already know it. But if you are new or curious about it, this book is for you. And it's 10 times better than the movie.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Man Without Fear" worth reading..., February 21, 1998
Most comic readers ignore Daredevil as a character, and most non-comic fans have never even heard of him. More's the pity, then, that they miss this retelling of Daredevil's origins by Frank Miller. The story is gritty, tough, and Miller knows what to do with it better than probably any writer out there today. If you're looking to get into Daredevil, or just want to check out a first class trade paperback, this one is for you.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Daredevil Year One, July 3, 2001
What it's about: Every Daredevil-reader knows about the accident that altered Matt Murdocks senses, and every Daredevil-reader knows that Matt later became Daredevil, but what about the time between the accident and Matt's turning superhero ? THAT's exactly what this book is about. We first see a young Matt living in New Yorks 'Hell's Kitchen' area, and how he gains his abilities. Nothing new so far. After that a lot of first meetings with essential characters take place (like Stick and Foggy Nelson) who all turn out to become major influences is Matt's life (especially Stick ). AND we get to see parts of his teenage relationship with Elektra (much referred to in the ongoing Daredevil series as of #168 and up), which I personally think is really the best part of the book. Certainly the most enhancing at least. The book concludes with the first rising of the Kingpin in the Daredevil title, who will once become the most important villain Daredevil ever had. The writing in this Kingpin element brings back memories to good stories like Daredevil "Child's Play" and "Born Again". I'll start off by saying that I definately think this book can be enjoyed best by people who have already been reading the ongoing Daredevil series, it being really a "Year One" in the Daredevil history. Not saying people who haven't read Daredevil before can't enjoy it, because there isn't much going on that neccesarily requires knowledge of past events, but you'll miss out on the essence of the story. If you're looking for your first Daredevil experience you're better off getting "Frank Miller visionaires vol.1 or "Kevin Smith visionaires vol.1". If you don't want to go into a lot of Daredevil stories but are just looking for a nice stand-alone story with Daredevil in it, just get the superb "Born Again" book (Note: If you ARE willing to get into Daredevil some more, read Born Again only AFTER the "Frank Miller visionaires" volumes !). If you HAVE been a Daredevil reader before (or currently off course) I think this will be a welcome book to your Daredevil collection which will clearify a lot of things in the Frank Miller run and Daredevil-history. Not essential things though, but still nice things to read about.
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