(Disclaimer: The thoughts and views presented here are my own, no outside parties involved.)
While in recent years I haven’t been a big reader of Marvel Comics and since shifted over to DC, I still have my favorite heroes over at the House of Ideas. My top heroes include Spider-Man, Iron Man, any member of the Avengers, and so on. But if there was a top ten list and I had to name my number 1 favorite hero, it would have to be old Hornhead himself, Daredevil.
Why is it that I like Daredevil? Up until recent years, I was skeptical of him since he was a blind hero who knew ninja moves and so on. But after reading through some well written stories about him, my opinion of him began to change upon realization that he is a tragic figure like most heroes in comics, it extends into his vigilante heroism, his actual profession of his alter ego, and into his personal faith clashing with brutality that he doles out to the bad guys. This is in part to Frank Miller. Miller’s first major comic work was on Daredevil as a penciller during the 80s run before he was put on the book as it’s writer which took the series to a more dramatic turn that saw Matt take his actions into account, turned a small-timed assassin named Bullseye into one of his formidable villains, and introduced Elektra into his life and as one of many lovers. After his run on Daredevil, Miller would go on to other projects in the comics industry, most notably with “300” and “Sin City” for Dark Horse Comics and his take on the Batman mythos with “The Dark Knight Returns” and “Batman: Year One.” Miller would come back and forth on Daredevil and would culminate in his last story with the character, the subject of today’s review: a six-issue miniseries that re-interprets Matt Murdock’s origins but as Frank Miller would do. Enter “Daredevil: The Man Without Fear.”
“The Man Without Fear” is another origin story akin to Miller’s aforementioned “Batman: Year One,” taking Stan Lee’s original established origin and brings it down to street level to see Hell’s Kitchen through Matt’s life. Over the course of the miniseries, Miller, along with artist John Romita, Jr., Present to readers that unlike the origin given by the first issue of “Daredevil,” what we get is a hero whose life was turbulent with emotional and physical abuse.
During his youth, Matt Murdock was a bit of a troublemaker, as depicted in the story’s opening pages, but is also a good kid as he takes care of his father, Jack Murdock, after his mother exited their lives and leaving Jack to support both of them. On the surface, Jack is an accomplished boxer, but sadly is also an enforcer for a mobster named The Fixer. Because of his current predicament, Jack makes Matt promise to use words instead of fists to handle his problems. Matt’s life suddenly upturns when after saving a man crossing the street from being struck by a truck, the chemicals being transported fall and blind Matt, permanently. Matt tries to cope without sight but is fruitless until a mysterious man named Stick taught him to harness his other senses to “see” the world around him. Stick’s training allow Matt to go beyond his normal senses and would lead to a path of revenge after his father is murdered by The Fixer and his henchmen. This one small event would stick with Matt for the rest of his days.
I’m won’t go further into the story as I would like people to experience it themselves. The overall story is fantastic and detailed. It does take some time for the real action to start, but it is all worth it.
Romita Jr.’s art is a treat to see and a bit of an acquired taste. On the one hand, the art gives a visceral and grounded look at Matt’s world and Daredevil at large. On the other hand, square chins. Look it up, if you know what I mean. If you’re not a fan of his art, more power to you, but I am partial to it and matched Miller’s writing.
Before I give my final thoughts, I would be remised not to mention the Netflix series using this story as an inspiration for it’s first season.
Season one of Netflix and Marvel’s “Daredevil” took a huge inspiration from the miniseries with Matt wearing the black costume throughout the season and ending with the famous red outfit that Daredevil is known for.
Overall thoughts? I love this story and is a valued piece of the Daredevil mythos at large. If you happen to stop by your local comic store or wherever they sell graphic novels, pick this up and read for a great Daredevil story.
Before I end today’s review, let me leave you with a teaser for the next one:
See you next time!
(All images retrieved from Google and Bing and are the property of their respective owners.)
The Pop Culture Guy 