Daredevil has always been one of Marvel’s more underrated heroes. Legendary writers like Frank Miller, Ed Brubaker, and Mark Waid have cycled through him, with each one putting their own unique stamp on the Man Without Fear. New writer Stephanie Phillips is standing on the shoulders of giants, but she more than holds her own, setting a fresh status quo for our hero while teasing an exciting new villain.
- Title: Daredevil #1
- Creative Team: Stephanie Phillips (Writer), Lee Garbett (Artist), Frank Martin (Colors), and Ariana Maher (Letters)
- Characters: Daredevil (Matt Murdock), ESU Students, Faculty
- Villain: Unnamed Mysterious Antagonist
- Format: Debut Issue / Series Premiere
- Our Rating: 9/10 Stars
What’s Changed For Matt Murdock?
The issue opens with Daredevil doing what he does best. Stopping street-level crime. A car theft may seem mundane in the grand scheme of the Marvel universe, but artist Lee Garbett makes it as exciting as any cosmic-level threat. Matt’s acrobatics are on full display as he pursues the carjackers, with Garbett twisting his body in fluid and graceful motions that spill across the panel borders. Letterer Ariana Maher adds weight to the violence, layering each impact with sickening KRAAAKs, THUNKs, and WHUMPs. I don’t envy any criminal that’s unfortunate enough to cross his path.
Soon we get a glimpse into Matt’s public life. He’s taken a job as an adjunct law professor at Empire State University, teaching contracts to a fresh batch of students. This feels like a natural next step for the character, and it’s an exciting change from his previous role as a priest. Phillips smartly builds tension by showing how natural Matt is with his class versus the skepticism aimed towards him from a fellow professor. He’s not just going to have his hands full with criminals, he also has to build trust with his new colleagues.
How Does The Creative Team Handle Matt’s New Status Quo?
Phillips is exploring themes around how life is constantly in flux, yet manages to remain the same. Matt’s still fighting bad guys in Hell’s Kitchen even if they have different motivations. Garbett reinforces this in a series of four panels on page twenty-five, portraying Daredevil in similar situations but with different iterations of his costume in each. It’s a clever visual trick that shows the passing of time. It may be a new batch of criminals, yet it’s in the same familiar alleys and neighborhoods he’s been patrolling for years.
Colorist Frank Martin emphasizes why Daredevil’s so frightening, blanketing him in shadows with glowing red eyes as he descends upon his prey. Matt picked the devil persona for a reason, and that’s displayed throughout this issue. He resembles a demon freshly escaped from hell when he leaps into action on page twenty-one, and the shocked looks on his victims’ faces remind us why he’s so feared.
Is Daredevil Prepared For A Strange New Enemy?
The story ends with a confrontation against a mysterious new foe. The villain has found his way into Matt’s apartment, and issues a cryptic warning to Daredevil asserting that his alter-ego is going to die. A quick skirmish between the two finds our hero thrown from his window, landing violently on a car below. Garbett shows his body splayed across the crumpled roof with shattered glass surrounding him. It’s an intense way to end a debut issue.
Daredevil #1 proves that Matt Murdock adapts to the times. He may tackle the same street-level crimes, but the world around him has changed. Phillips understands that placing him in these scenarios highlights the qualities that define the character’s brilliance. Issue one is a perfect jumping-on point for anyone looking to experience one of Marvel’s greatest heroes.
