Broken Frontier

The Man Without Fear is back and it’s as if he never left. Matt Murdock has donned the crimson cowl again, and once more is fighting crime, both in the courts and on the street . . . or at least, he’s trying to. Daredevil #1 picks up some time after the events of Shadowland and Daredevil: Reborn, and after reading a Daredevil who wore black and brooded, it’s extremely nice to see Matt Murdock smiling again.

Mark Waid’s take on Daredevil and his supporting cast is pitch perfect. He writes a Matt Murdock who is carefree, and smiles, takes pleasure in his job, and for once, just seems happy to be out there living again. For a man who has gone through some severely traumatic events over the past couple of years, he seems to be taking it all in stride. Though as he explains in the back-up story, he may just be in a state of extreme denial, the only way to stay sane is by moving forward as best he can and not dwelling on the past. While not healthy, it is going to lead to some interesting stories.

It’s not as though Matt can just wipe the slate clean; the world is still naming him Daredevil and his court life is hurting because of it. Not only that, but a guest appearance on the last page is going to hold Matt Murdock accountable for his actions, whether he likes it or not.

Joining Mark Waid on this book are Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin, two artists whom I consider to be among the top in the industry. Both evoke an old school style reminiscent of Romita Sr., which fits in perfectly with the tone Waid has set for this book. Both artists put an immense amount of detail into their work, and with the help of their inkers and colorists, the art pops on each and every page. From the dynamic page compositions, to the beautiful characters and settings on every page, their artwork was made for a book like this.

If you were turned away by the darker turns Daredevil has taken these past few years, now is the time to jump back on board. Waid writes a refreshing story that takes everything we love about the Man Without Fear, and with the beauty of Rivera and Martin’s artwork, makes it seem new again. Highly recommended.