RRP £75.00 Lowest New Price £44.91

Marvel Comics Number of pages: 848 Language: English (Original Language) Language: English (Unknown) Language: English (Published)

RRP: £75.00
Approach without fear.
Review date: 2008-11-26 Rating: 8 out of 10

I'm a Daredevil rather than a Bendis fan and so approached this with some trepidation, despite the hype. The first story arc 'Wake Up' is incredible with stunning art from David Mack but as Bendis himself admits his run proper didn't begin until the later pairing with Alex Maleev and an major criticism is that this section of the book begins slowly, taking time to build into a more interesting and satisfying narrative. But it must be stressed that it does pay off. Additionally Alex Maleev's artwork is possibly the best and most appropriate that the title has ever seen, capturing the pulp vibe of the book and making you feel as if you really know Matt Murdock's Hell's Kitchen.
However the book is always going to be compared to Frank Miller's legendary run (which I read for myself for the first time this year) and though it compares favourably it is perhaps a little too familiar.
Bendis' method of taking Matt Murdock apart piece by piece until he is forced by the situation to get his act together again is too reminiscent of what every writer since has done since the greatest Daredevil storyline: Frank Miller's 'Born Again'.
All in all this probably deserves five stars as some of the best superhero writing in a long time (forget Brubaker) and perhaps unfairly gets four for failing to reach the impossible heights of the title's legendary past.