Essential Daredevil, Volume 1

It is truly a treat to read these Marvel Essentials. Daredevil is a blind crime fighter who fights using every sense but eye sight. His wits mixed with strength create quite the enjoyable read, also Matt Murdock's lawyer life is interesting too.

I'll admit that there is no use in denying that this review will be permeated with complete bias; though what can I say it was Daredevil that brought me into the wonderful world of comic books. Daredevil (though not so much in the early days) mixed some pretty gripping court room bouts with all the wild action of a superhero. How freaking sweet is that? The Essential itself is pretty much the establishment of Daredevil and the series trying to find it's footing but overall it's filled with some fun stories. Buy it!

It's a given that the early FF and Spiderman hold up well, but I was surprised to see that Daredevil fares well. Having only read one of these early issues(number 8 with Stiltman), I didn't have the highest expectations. Maybe it was just because I've been so comic deprived these past couple months in college, but it didn't take long for me to see things through Matt Murdock's...eyes. The early issues with Joe Orlando hold their own, but when Wally Wood comes around with Sub-mariner it gets even better. John Romita's first appearance in issue 12 with Ka-zar also improves upon his predecessor. There is nothing here that is going to take your breath away, but if villains such as the Owl, Gladiator, Electro, and the Fixer give you a warm fuzzy feeling, or at least some sort of memory, you need to have this. If you haven't really experienced the silver age of comics yet, you're probably better off starting with ol' Spidey and the FF first. The major problem I have with these early issues is not so much the lack of originality or redundancy, it's the cliche love triangle and occasional inconsistencies. The first 3 issues show promise, with Matt aloof and uninterested in Karen's feelings towards him. But in the next issue, Stan Lee decides to make him into an old softie, something that really clashes with DD and Matt. The inconsistencies are more forgivable, sloppy mistakes, such as when Foggy later mentions his proposal to Karen that was turned down, when in fact he never went through with asking her in the first place. Ah well, the meat of what's here is still great, and will go great between Captain America and Defenders Essentials on your shelf.

Another excellent item from Essential Series. Even if it is in black and white only, it is wonderful to read again these first issues of Daredevil. What a difference with stories of the present day ! In a Stan Lee story, we find action, caracter's personnality development, intelligent and super-powered vilain. It is not the case in the news stories, developped in more trouble situation, dark and where the hero is not the hero sometimes, with a lot of violence not justified. Drawings are simple, but dynamic, in the first part. But with Gene Colan as penciler, what a pleasure! Daredevil is really born with Gene.

I actually owned several of these early issues at one time and it has been great reading through them again. I am a long time DD fan and love this collection. The black and white format did not in any way detract from my enjoyment. I was relieved to find the paper and ink quality has greatly improved with this collection. Some of the other essential collections for other charaters has been awful. I personally feel the stories Stan Lee wrote for these early issues were some of his best. And the art is the best of its time period. In this collection we get to see pages penciled by the great Jack Kirby, Wally Wood (who designed DD's traditional red costume), John Romita Sr., and Gene Colon. These stories are just plain fun and adventure before DD became the intense, brooding and, often times, tragic character he is today. Take my word for it: if you love DD as much as I do pick up this first volume of twenty-five issues, it will not disappoint.