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ladydewinter's review against another edition
4.0
Whenever I read "Daredevil" I'm always surprised by just how much I like it. This was no exception. Frank Miller only wrote the last couple of issues collected in this book; he was the penciller for the others. I have to say that the transition in writing took some getting used to, but by the last issue I was convinced that I have to read more, and read more I shall. It's dark and gritty, and how can you resist a superhero who "can taste the exact number of grains of salt on a pretzel"?
(And if, like me, you're not much of a Miller fan usually, I can recommend this nonetheless.)
(And if, like me, you're not much of a Miller fan usually, I can recommend this nonetheless.)
jwlahn's review against another edition
3.0
The back half of the collection is much stronger than the first. The quality definitely improves when Frank Miller takes over the writing. I still have difficulty connecting with the 80s art style, and the constant narration and overly drawn out dialogue. That being said, I enjoyed the last couple of stories enough to motivate me to read the next collection.
justinermd's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating to see the switch in storytelling quality once Miller takes over writing duties. Prior to that it was pretty run-of-the-mill (though I wasn't aware he also did pencils, so that was nice to see) but as other reviewers have mentioned, Miller's run immediately begins to explore darker themes and more complex storytelling. Great epilogue.
andyshute's review against another edition
4.0
Over the last couple of years DD has become one of my favourite Marvel characters (second to Spider-man) and after reading Mark Waid's fantastic run and Miller's famous stories I decided to hunt down the collected volumes of his main run.
The majority of this volume has Miller confined to pencils. He's got a great style but the stories are a little villain of the week. However, once he takes over writing duties there's a clear step up in quality with the introduction of Elektra, the return of the Kingpin and a new crime syndicate. The stores are dark, tightly paced and brutal albeit with a humorous streak.
Great stuff and given some of the other comics of the era, very readable. I flew though this. Bring on volume 2!
The majority of this volume has Miller confined to pencils. He's got a great style but the stories are a little villain of the week. However, once he takes over writing duties there's a clear step up in quality with the introduction of Elektra, the return of the Kingpin and a new crime syndicate. The stores are dark, tightly paced and brutal albeit with a humorous streak.
Great stuff and given some of the other comics of the era, very readable. I flew though this. Bring on volume 2!
miss_johnsto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vidumor's review against another edition
4.0
What a fascinating piece of comic book history when it comes to not only the character of Daredevil, but also the career of Frank Miller. It is so crazy to see his art improve literally from issue to issue. And once he takes the reins on the writing in issue 168? It's game over. He instantly elevates the narrative and complicates all characters involved.
It is so good to go and read the foundational pillars of what makes DD so great. This covers the introduction of Elektra to the marvel universe, Bullseye's single-minded approach to defeating DD, and Kingpin meeting DD for the first time! Very fun all around.
However, the rampant sexism and fat-shaming in these pages does very quickly suck out some of that fun. One could argue that this is a product of its time... except I've read classic x-men comics and they know how to handle that sort of things with grace. At the very least, I don't want to see our main hero be a passive misogynist to literally all of his love interests.
Thoughts while reading:
Spectacular Spider-Man #27
- oooh immediately in love with these 80s covers!
- every sentence ends in an exclamation point! Who edited this!! (who do you think you are? Me writing random thoughts down??)
- gosh I love you so much when you're having a temper tantrum, Spidey
- how in the world did Peter Parker manage to get himself, not one, but two girlfriends? Who are both redheads???
- okay, one outburst is fine, but destroying an eye doctor's office is a little bit too whiny for me Spidey
Spectacular Spider-Man #28
- oooh DD making death threats during the Comics Code era, love to see it!
- awww Matty just seems so stable and supportive in comparison to Peter lol. The usage of the word "fella"... why did men stop using it?
- surprisingly wasn't really into spider-man's side of the story. I think I am still getting used to this older colouring style and the dialogue that ends with exclamation points.
Daredevil #158
- very cool, we get to see Black Widow!
- y'know I do kind of like the idea of Nat and Matt together. Don't hate it for sure.
- already the colouring of this issue compared to the last two spider-man are much better. The night actually looks dark!
- "By Lenin's beard!" Natasha, I am digging these swear words!
- Death Stalker, you've already paid for an engraved tombstone? A little too overconfident in my opnion!
- ahh, monologuing villains. They don't make them like they used to!
- oh you goons, never count the money at the crime scene when you boss (who is called Death Stalker!!) is still there. Take the money and run
- the angel statue behind DD while he's making his big move. What? Symbolism? In this title? Nah
- of course, #1 DD move, turn off the lights. Cool, but I want to see other stuff plz
- ah dang we don't get to actually see him die stuck in the tombstone. Curse you comics code authority!
Daredevil #159
- oh c'mon his death should at least be a million, even in 80s standards... I think
- why are they fat shaming Foggy so much?
- I do like that they point out the sensitive ears as being a disadvantage sometimes. Feel like that's looked over a lot in TV and perhaps even the newer comics (idk yet)
- yup, I'm super into this now. The shadowy action scenes in the pier ending with Bullseye orchestrating everything for his game. Cannot wait!
Daredevil #160
- Already not buying that Nat wouldn't know that bullseye was in her apartment. Unless maybe her power levels significantly increased in the newer comics.
- Matty, never a good idea to mansplain grief. However, the rainy cemetary scene in New York is giving Tobey Maguire Spider-Man.
- haha love that Urich already knows the ID
- gotta get a good bar fight in there!
- liking the steady development of this Bullseye arc! Matt gathering info from bar goonies was great.
It is so good to go and read the foundational pillars of what makes DD so great. This covers the introduction of Elektra to the marvel universe, Bullseye's single-minded approach to defeating DD, and Kingpin meeting DD for the first time! Very fun all around.
However, the rampant sexism and fat-shaming in these pages does very quickly suck out some of that fun. One could argue that this is a product of its time... except I've read classic x-men comics and they know how to handle that sort of things with grace. At the very least, I don't want to see our main hero be a passive misogynist to literally all of his love interests.
Spoiler
Thoughts while reading:
Spectacular Spider-Man #27
- oooh immediately in love with these 80s covers!
- every sentence ends in an exclamation point! Who edited this!! (who do you think you are? Me writing random thoughts down??)
- gosh I love you so much when you're having a temper tantrum, Spidey
- how in the world did Peter Parker manage to get himself, not one, but two girlfriends? Who are both redheads???
- okay, one outburst is fine, but destroying an eye doctor's office is a little bit too whiny for me Spidey
Spectacular Spider-Man #28
- oooh DD making death threats during the Comics Code era, love to see it!
- awww Matty just seems so stable and supportive in comparison to Peter lol. The usage of the word "fella"... why did men stop using it?
- surprisingly wasn't really into spider-man's side of the story. I think I am still getting used to this older colouring style and the dialogue that ends with exclamation points.
Daredevil #158
- very cool, we get to see Black Widow!
- y'know I do kind of like the idea of Nat and Matt together. Don't hate it for sure.
- already the colouring of this issue compared to the last two spider-man are much better. The night actually looks dark!
- "By Lenin's beard!" Natasha, I am digging these swear words!
- Death Stalker, you've already paid for an engraved tombstone? A little too overconfident in my opnion!
- ahh, monologuing villains. They don't make them like they used to!
- oh you goons, never count the money at the crime scene when you boss (who is called Death Stalker!!) is still there. Take the money and run
- the angel statue behind DD while he's making his big move. What? Symbolism? In this title? Nah
- of course, #1 DD move, turn off the lights. Cool, but I want to see other stuff plz
- ah dang we don't get to actually see him die stuck in the tombstone. Curse you comics code authority!
Daredevil #159
- oh c'mon his death should at least be a million, even in 80s standards... I think
- why are they fat shaming Foggy so much?
- I do like that they point out the sensitive ears as being a disadvantage sometimes. Feel like that's looked over a lot in TV and perhaps even the newer comics (idk yet)
- yup, I'm super into this now. The shadowy action scenes in the pier ending with Bullseye orchestrating everything for his game. Cannot wait!
Daredevil #160
- Already not buying that Nat wouldn't know that bullseye was in her apartment. Unless maybe her power levels significantly increased in the newer comics.
- Matty, never a good idea to mansplain grief. However, the rainy cemetary scene in New York is giving Tobey Maguire Spider-Man.
- haha love that Urich already knows the ID
- gotta get a good bar fight in there!
- liking the steady development of this Bullseye arc! Matt gathering info from bar goonies was great.
Spoiler
stalecooper's review against another edition
2.0
Once Miller takes over as writer, this collection takes off, but too much of it consists of pretty pointless stories which Miller penciled (and in some cases co-plotted) but was not the main writer on.
mattingtonbear's review against another edition
4.0
a very solid collection of some good to great Daredevil stories. the back half is a lot stronger as Miller took over writing duties and things got a little more grim but the art was stellar throughout. I'm used to the hyper stylized Frank Miller of the last couple of years so it's pretty great to see where he started out. the other thing that I loved about this collection and it's pretty indicative of comics of this era was just how much story and enjoyment you got from a single issue which I think is missing in modern comics as stories have become so serialized. either way whether you're a DD fan or a Miller fan looking to see where he got his start this book is definitely worth your time.
emmaisbored's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the_dork_knight's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0