Daredevil: The Man Without Fear

Every few years, we have to have a new telling of a hero's origin story. Sometimes the hero has been around so long that it's worth updating to make the character's origin in line with changes in technology and society; sometimes the character himself is given a different background to reach new audiences; sometimes a movie portrayal creates new interest in the character; usually, it feels like an attempted cash grab for the publisher, and sometimes even a minor betrayal of long time fans. Daredevil has seen his own share of revisited origin stories. I've only gotten into the character in the past few years, I've loved his adventures, but reading his early exploits, back in Daredevil #1, you have to wonder what happened to make Daredevil one of Marvel's most enduring characters. It was tough to get too excited about Daredevil taking on the Purple Man, or Stiltman(!), or even Namor. Daredevil: Yellow was my favorite retelling of the Daredevil origin, focusing more on the character than his abilities, mostly sweet but hinting at tragedies to come. Then I read Frank Miller's take. I had read and enjoyed other Frank Miller Daredevil stories, but The Man Without Fear is a tour de force, writer and artist collaborating to give a legendary character an iconic beginning. The basic story is familiar: son of Battlin' Jack Murdock, blinded in a tragic accident, loses his father when Jack refuses to take a fall for the gamblers, goes to law school, fights for justice day and night (mostly night). So what makes this story special? I suppose, since he was working with an established character, Miller could cut out the cheese that dominated the first issues, could draw connections to the characters who would be most important in Matt Murdock's epic. Of course Foggy is there, though they Don meet until college; college also brings Elektra into Matt's life, for better or worse. Stick readies Matt to become Daredevil, but questions his usefulness; Kingpin is pulling all the strings behind the scenes, and is no conflicted bad guy - Kingpin is ruthless, merciless, a character who would make Don Corleone nervous. And it is the confrontation with this pure evil that forces Matt to finally become the protector of Hell's Kitchen. Like I said, it's a familiar story - but you've never seen it like this. Miller and Romita remake the template - this is the style the current series adopted, the gritty realism that would change everything in comics. Daredevil is the hero for the underdog, the blind man who can do things few superheroes manage. There are no "powers," though, no radiation that gave young Matt a "radar sense" as an informal power; Miller's Daredevil is the result of a boy refusing to accept his blindness as a limitation, who enhances his other senses through intense training until he has a vision of the world that exceeds those who allow their sight to define a more limited world. So if you've ever wondered, "Why Daredevil?", pick up The Man Without Fear, and answer the question for yourself.

Great story and excellent tpb, would recommend for Daredevil fans

A classic read from great creators. The team of Miller and Romita give us a 'Year One' of the best Marvel character on par with Miller and Mazuchelli's other 'Year One' staple.

I haven’t read a Daredevil story in a while and this did the job. JRJR’s artwork awesome as usual

The definitive origin story for Daredevil. With the new show getting popular this is a great way to get introduced to the character.

Excellent

As a daredevil fan, I loved this. It has drama, action and set piece moments that had me excitedly flipping the pages. Loved the artwork too, there’s a reason this book is considered a classic. If you’re daredevil fan, or getting into the character: do not miss!

Bold title, I know, given TDKR, TDK:SA, Ronin, and countless others, but The Man Without Fear is just that. Maybe his best work. The detail in the artwork makes you feel as if you're in the hazy streets of Hell's Kitchen, leaping across rooftops, and smashing skulls with your own fists. It's gritty and puts you right in the thick of it. The classic tale of Daredevil is told fantastically well, and I can't recommend this to you highly enough

Amazing origin story and the art style is just the best one of the best comics I’ve read

Não tem como, o Demolidor é o herói mais interessante da Marvel. Ótimo enredo de Frank Miller e belas ilustrações de Romita Jr.

Muy buena calidad de impresión

Great origin to daredevil besides the fact that he murders that man at the end and that is no accident

This is awesome!! A great origin story. Classic Frank Miller at his best.