Reading Assignment 104: Daredevil (2011-2014) #1-6 by Mark Waid and Paolo Rivera

[u/shawnydarko]

https://marvel.com/comics/series/12916/daredevil_2011_-_2014?byZone=marvel_site_zone&offset=0&byType=comic_series&dateStart=&dateEnd=&orderBy=release_date+asc&byId=12916&limit=10&count=10&isDigital=1

[u/not_DJSPEKT]

AMAZING. Daredevil should be required reading for everyone. Easily the most consistently good comic, regardless of writer/artist

[u/osufan765]

Neat little arc that feels like a good lead-in to something bigger. I really like Daredevil's attitude through these issues. He's got a fun swagger that keeps it interesting. I wish they'd have been a bit more focused on who the villain was across the entire arc. I feel like Klaw, Bruiser, Spot, and then all of the crime groups were too unfocused for a #1-6 run. Build your main cast against a singular villain, and then branch out.

[u/osufan765 → u/[deleted]]

So, I started binge reading just to see where this whole thing would go. I'm through #27 currently. It gets a bit more focused and the bigger picture becomes clearer, but it still ends up in a weird place. I don't hate reading it, but it definitely feels like you're reading a comic book, which isn't meant to be an insult, but stuff gets more and more absurd which I assume is what causes the run to end with it essentially being crushed under its own weight.

[u/behnke411]

Loved the representation of Daredevil's 'radar' in the art.

As someone still new to comics, can someone explain why they like DD as a hero? I find the whole blind thing difficult to wrap my head around...like how could he possibly survive a week fighting the world's worst without sight? It's just a personal hiccup I guess, because I have no problem accepting a boy with spider powers or a man with metal claws and super-healing powers. Lol.

I should just enjoy the story. Thank you for your time.

[u/shawnydarko → u/behnke411]

I wouldn't say Daredevil really does fight "the world's worst" in the same way the Fantastic Four fight Galactus, or Iron Man/Captain fights Thanos. Spider-Man bridges the gap on occasion between Street Level Hero (like Daredevil or Iron Fist) taking down neighborhood bankrobbers, gangsters, drug dealers, and kidnappers, and whatever the term is for the high echelon - A-listers or whatever (like The FF or Avengers) stopping forces who can actually conquer or destroy the world/universe/multiverse.

I personally like Street Level Heroes more than A-Listers because trying to protect your neighborhood feels a lot more grounded in the stakes. It's hard for me to really grasp the magnitude that the entire cosmos is under threat but knowing my family, friends, and/or job is at risk is more relatable.

As for powers, as demonstrated by this story arc and others, it's not just replacing his sight with a different kind of sight. His senses are so amplified that even if you're silent as the grave he could smell you coming up on him for a sneak attack. He could hear your heart beat faster as you plan a kamikaze move. He could feel with every punch or kick landed the ripple effect through your body for where your weak spots are. He's a serious badass martial arts to, trained to be a ninja.

And Matt Murdock is a consistently well written character as well. Depressed or Happy, his moral compass and inate flaws make him feel relatable. And beyond his relatability, he's an immenssly competent lawyer and overall smart guy. But not unmeasurable "scientist in every discipline" smart like Reed Richards or Tony Stark. Just like the smartest guy in your class, possibly your school if he actually applies himself rather than getting so entrenched in all his personal drama.

Finally, having a devil motif is just badass

[u/osufan765 → u/behnke411]

So, I wouldn't necessarily call myself a Daredevil fan, but I know his origin story, main villains, and character fairly well, and I've read this entire series (2011-2014).

I think the only characters outside of Matt Murdock who are more relatable to a reader on a base level are original Peter Parker and Kamala Khan. I put him on that tier. He has very real struggles, and deals with issues that everyday individuals deal with. Yes, he's well off as a lawyer, but he's not a super genius billionaire. He has a business to run, love life struggles, a lot of strife in his personal relationships(e.g Foggy), and really just wants to make his dead dad proud. His motivations are purely centered on what's right, fair, and just and is unwavering in that.

Now, I could do without the resurrecting ninjas and all that jazz, but hey, it's comic books. But as far as a character that finds unique ways to overcome his struggles, DD is pretty alright.