Daredevil: The Man Without Fear [New Printing]

I was very skeptical about this book because I usually don't think of one-shots as being all too good. I wasnt dissapointed with this graphic novel at all. It had amazing art and enough interesting stories before Daredevil became the Man Without Fear; back when he was the boy with plenty of it. Unfortunately, the origins of how some things went down (like Elektra's introduction) are different than they were in Frank Miller's original comics in 1980 (also featured in Frank Miller Visionaries Vol. 2). I guess it's just filling in the blanks to what we did not know before. Either way, this book is a masterpiece to any Daredevil collector or just someone interested in his story.

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.

I have always been a DC fan first, but what's good is good and this is really good. They have to put this back in print because it is one of greatest comics Marvel ever published. It has a fast-paced cinematic style similar to the one Frank Miller used in Batman Year One and Ronin. I am not a big fan of John Romita Junior, but his style was perfect for this story. Its obvious that both Miller and Romita Jr worked very hard on this. Daredevil's origin has been told before but when you read this you don't feel like you are reading rehashed material. There are plenty of new plots and ideas to keep it interesting throughout. As usual, the character interplay between Matt Murdock and Electra is excellent and very foreboding since we already know what the future has in store for her.

Miller and Romita do a fantastic job on this book. Romita sites this as his favorite work he's ever done, and with good reason. He managed to draw over 100 pages of work without ONE costumed hero! Only the last page of the book has DD in costume, the rest is the updated story of Matt Murdock. And when I say updated, that's what I mean. DD's history has been changed or "retconned" as we say, it's just been made a little more deep and a little more realistic. It's quite tasteful and very respectful to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's original work. A must buy for all Daredevil fans.

This book is not to be missed by anyone who likes comic books, film noir, Tom Waits, or underworld drama. Frank Miller tells the MOST underestimated story of his life. The story adds depth and motivation to a second-string superhero. This book is not to be missed by ANYONE who is comic book reader (and non-comic readers should not pass it up !)