Daredevil, Vol. 1 [Hardcover]

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. ;)

This run by Kevin Smith & Joe Quesada (#1-8) is the definitive Daredevil. This storyarc by Kevin Smith is titled "the Guardian Devil" is about an infant who turns up under Matt Murdock care after an unceasing & unexpected turn of events. Matt was influenced to think the baby was a savior predestined by God to save mankind, or/but perhaps the baby is an antithesis, an omen, a veritable anti-christ that will agonizes him with myriad of problems ? Or perhaps, the infant is neither of them all, but a concoction and confederation by his long-time enemies ?

The story characteristic elements that are relative to being the best & exemplary of all Daredevil books ever created are slow-moving, gloomy & poignant ,talky & dialogue-heavy.These characteristics is a conclusive statement resulted to being a hardcore thread, yet though quite heavy & intense, the book turns out to be a must & definitive reading.It should stand as the quintessential reference and keepsake hardcover tome for collector & daredevil fans alike. But especially recommended for new readers to Daredevil, as this GN is a stand-alone & aptly, as an introductory reading to get acquainted to Daredevil mythos.

The book other high points come from smaller scenes & tender moments like, Matt is having a small talk with her mother,a nun. Their conversation is thoughtful,metaphoric,& poignant mixed together, as they debated about Matt being a son to her, & about her being a mother or not to Matt.But the best part, is when her mother narrates to Matt a parable about God, having faith or not having faith.Do God exist or not. To extract a small portion of her story, she recounted "if you did not believe in God, then you died and happen there is an afterlife,it will be too late for sorry".That statement is a reply to Matt as he opined there is no God nor a Heaven.

The other high points worth elaborating about is Karen Page, the lead female protagonist. Her participation in this story commence from the opening page of the story, up until the last page, long after she died.The book is well-organized and deftly-crafted, as her implicit appearance from page one is solely from her voice alone reading a diary placed in the captions. Those scenes I think is poignantly & meticulously written by the author as she fondly recounted her personal & memorable moments with Matt Murdock.Her words alone, can give you an initial background to the long-time character; Her startling involvement in a physical confrontation between Daredevil & his long-time nemesis Bullseye which inevitably resulted to her demise as an act of self-sacrifice to his beloved Matt; And in the end pages,where she gave something personal & valuable for her, to Matt as her last will, where again, everything were told in the same manner as the opening pages,with her woice alone reading her last will placed via captions.Karen Page, her part in this definitive story, consisted a large chunk of alloted space, as her character & role is critical to the success of this endeavor.

Bullseye, Black widow & Foggy Nelson, also are accorded a big chunk of alloted space for their character developement.They also play a significant parts in contribution to being the best Daredevil story ever.

My opinion regarding heralding Frank Miller's Daredevil efforts, such as his " Daredevil: Year one" & "Daredevil: Born again". I had read them both. His endeavor does not merit being called the definitive Dardevil. I found his works not strong & inadequate. Not strong because, Frank Miller, in my obsevation has a propensity to slacked off or weakened especially, often at the end part(or issues)of the story.Particulary, Iam referring to his work on "Born Again", to substantiate my point. Inadequate because, unlike Kevin Smith's, he did not exercise proficient story-related characteristic elements or moods to ameliorate and supplement his storytelling, such as dark & depressing, heartwarming & poignant or anything of intellectually stirring. Also, the artworks on both books, in my thinking, are below par as in not particulary eye-pleasing and especially look dirty and unfinished.

Daredevil vol. 1 HC personifies Kevin Smith as a top-notch and quality writer, who has a profound talent to write hardcore, heavy, poignant and memorable stories.Writng them is not easy, as it requires a writer of top-caliber skills. A good book to own for it's historical value of being a timeless masterwork. This book, I rate as the very best in the superhero genre, rank up there,in parallel with Origin, Marvel Masterworks, Rise of Apocalypse, Villainy of Dr. Doom & Thor, Gods on Earth TPBs.

Highest possible recommendation.