Though considered to be a "hot" artist amongst comic fans, I cannot sink my teeth into Joe Quesada's rendition of Daredevil. Where Daredevil should be sleek and balanced, Quesada's Daredevil is cartoony and awkward. He tries very hard to imitate his obvious hero, former Spider-man artist Todd McFarlane, with his use of funky, impossible proportions and hundreds of feet of chaotic rope no person could possibly manage. He should have studied the styles of Dave Mazzuchelli or even John Romita Jr. to see how it is done. Trying to turn Daredevil into Spider-man didn't fly.

Most serious of all, however, is that this trade paperback does not complete its intended story. Rather it reprints only 3 of 5 issues, leaving us not only dangling, but forcing us to purchase another trade paperback containing all 5 (3 of which we've already purchased). So, if you do not agree with my opinions of Kevin Smith and Joe Quesada, at the very least heed my warning not to purchase this incomplete tale, and instead pick up a copy of the completed version contained in MARVEL'S FINEST: DAREDEVIL VISIONARIES.


Wonderful hardback.   August 8, 2003
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

Most of the reviews listed for this title aren't accurate at all, since they're for a completely different edition, so I thought I'd chime in.

This hardback is part of Marvel's new oversized line. And as I've come to expect, it's of fantastic quality. From the glossy attractive cover to the vibrant coloring of the pages, Daredevil Vol. 1 screams for a spot on anyone's bookshelf or coffee table.

As a special treat, the inspiring introduction is written by Tom Sullivan. If the name isn't familiar to you, he's a blind man that has managed to lead a very productive life despite his disability. From skiing to bungie-jumping, Mr. Sullivan has happily experienced what life has to offer, blind or not. He was also a consultant on the Daredevil movie.

Included in this hardback are the issues of Daredevil #1-11, and #13-15, the Guardian Devil (Smith/Quesada) and Parts of a Hole (Mack/Quesada) storylines. Nothing will probably ever compare to Miller's sagas (Elektra, Born Again, Man Without Fear), but these are wonderful reads, with a huge impact on recent continuity. Also, while Smith's Guardian Devil storyline seems like a rehash of the Elektra saga, there's still an incredible emotional impact, that's still being discussed today (see Daredevil: Yellow for more).

Many cameos are present, including a touching appearance by Spider-man, who is one of the few people that can truly understand what Matt has gone through at the end of Guardian Devil.

The "special features" featured after the collected issues are lacking, though that's hardly something to dock the book for. And the few sketches and artwork included are great to see. Still, comments from the writers/artists would have been wonderful.

Pick this edition up soon, or risk not being able to find it later. Besides, sales for this and Vol 2 could inspire Marvel to release the Miller sagas as oversized hardcovers. ;)


Blind Love   August 13, 2002
 6 out of 10 found this review helpful

Daredevil, blind hero of Hell's Kitchen in New York City, unexpectedly finds love in a deaf woman named Maya Lopez, who has as many secrets and complications as he does. In this graphic novel, Matt Murdock is recovering from the loss of Karen Page, his lover, and feels empty inside. Even though he and Foggy Nelson, his law partner, are stepping out into their own and about to start doing great things, Murdock's life isn't complete. He stands in the shadow of Wilson Fisk, a gargantuan crime figure known as the Kingpin. When a witness comes forward to the offices of Nelson & Murdock hoping to testify against the Kingpin, an assassin murders him, wounding Murdock as well. Donning his crimson suit, knowing that Fisk deliberately had the man murdered there because he knows who he is, Daredevil sets out in pursuit. As this story line progresses, the reader is also informed of Maya Lopez, the deaf prodigy that is the daughter of Fisk's partner. Maya has the uncanny ability to duplicate any skill she's ever seen, from piano playing to martial arts to ballet. Maya is also driven to find the man who killed her father and make him pay. The Kingpin puts Maya on a collision course with Matt Murdock, claiming that the blind attorney's alter-ego Daredevil was the one that killed her father. Even as Maya follows the assignments that Fisk has designed to pull her into Daredevil's orbit and eventually lead her to attempt to kill him, Matt Murdock falls in love, head over heels.

David Mack has been nominated for several awards as writer, artist, and creator. His creation, KABUKI, has garnered much professional attention as well as support from fans. In addition to DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE, he did the painting for another recent Daredevil graphic novel, DAREDEVIL: WAKE UP. Joe Quesada is currently editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, and he has a host of work--writing and editing--behind him. Quesada has been a driving force behind Daredevil's current popularity. While over at DC Comics, Quesada helped birth and develop Azrael with Batman powerhouse, Denny O'Neil.

DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE without a doubt is beautifully written. The three principal characters--Daredevil, Maya, and Wilson Fisk--are superbly drawn out in their own voices. The narrative structure, subjects, and presentation is evocative, and--like Maya's own secret identity--leaves the reader with an echo of the story long after the tale is finished. David Mack is an exemplary story-teller, and the three stories of the characters are deftly interwoven to create a cohesive whole while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the individuals. Mack worked from layout sketches, laying his vision of the panel breakdowns out for Quesada and Ross. In addition to the writing, the art is absolutely striking. The reader can feel the stillness of a frozen moment, or see the blur of movement as the protagonists battle each other. The colors, well presented in the comics that this story was compiled from, are beautifully rendered in the graphic novel. The Kingpin comes across as a dual force of emotions for the reader: the scariest person who ever lived, and yet one of the most tragic.

The only quibble about the graphic novel would be in regards to the last story. An editorial note said that Quesada and Mack felt the story should be left in the graphic novel collection to preserve the full run of the series (it was originally published as a fill-in issue) in graphic novels. But the story, even though it takes place in a few minutes during the next to the last issue and telescopes the action and the meaning, simply doesn't belong with DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE. The addition of the story is like an after-dinner mint that really warps the memory of the taste of a good meal.

DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE is definitely a keeper for the fans of Daredevil, David Mack, and Joe Quesada. For anyone brought back into the fold by Kevin Smith's work, Mack's Daredevil and insights into character and story will continue to be a lodestone for anyone looking for a good tale.


More hype then story   August 5, 1999
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I think this series of Daredevil stories caught more attention because Kevin Smith wrote it, not because long time DD readers wanted to see a good story with Daredevil in it. Indeed this story is quite over-written with a story that goes no where but in endless circles. Several supporting DD cast members get trashed in this story and you might be repulsed by how out of character Daredevil is in this book. In one scene, he throws a child off the roof. I don't care how much praise has been given to Smith. He can not make good movies and he can not write comics. I hope a future writer is able to repair the damage caused by Smith and make Daredevil a great comic again.


The Man Without Fear Is Back : In full force   October 8, 1999
 3 out of 8 found this review helpful

The reason that I give this book only four stars is because it is a reprint of the first three issues in an eight issue story arc. Othe than that the book is perfect. Kevin Smith really does this book justice. Anyone who wants to read a comic that is as good as the great Frank miller's run should absolutely pick this up. Kevin finally makes a character truly interesting and exciting for the first time in years. and Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti's art make a very striking visual statement. It is very exciting and fun to look at. Overall a very impressive book but i felt that it was more for the people who have the first issues signed or something and do not want to read them for fear of damage. Also check out Daredevil: Visionaries for the full eight issue storyline