Review- DAREDEVIL BY MARK WAID VOL. 1

DAREDEVIL BY MARK WAID VOL. 1 (Marvel, 2012; Softcover)

Collects Daredevil Nos. 1-6 (cover dates September, 2011- January, 2012)

Writer: Mark Waid

Artists: Marcos Martin and Paolo Rivera

I enjoy Mark Waid's writing, absolutely adore Marcos Martin's artwork, and really like Paolo Rivera's artwork. I am a casual Daredevil fan, having read the first Masterwork (I have Vols. 2 and 3 in queue), all three Frank Miller trade paperbacks, and several other issues along the way. I feel like I have a fair grasp of the character, enough to know when the vibe is right.

And the vibe is completely right. Good creators plus a good character equal a great read. This is a somewhat whimsical take on ol' hornhead, more in line with the Silver Age incarnation than the darker, brooding version of the character that people are more accustomed to. There's enough doom and gloom in this here real world, and I sure as heck don't need it in my escapist superhero comic books. Don't think of this a throwback affair, though. It is firmly entrenched in modern storytelling sensibilities, which is a good thing in this instance. Many folks think that I only like old comics and hate new comics. This is false. I hate bad new comics, which many mainstream superhero comic books seem to be these days.

I bought this on a whim, and am so glad that I did. We get to C-lister the Spot in the first issue in the book. I remember buying the issue of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man where he debuted off of the spinner rack at 7-11 way back when. Klaw and Bruiser are the main villains in this arc. We also get to see the Ox and the Flying Gambonnos (although the FG deserved more than a one panel scene). There is a lot going on here. I loved this and I'll be along for the ride. I don't use the word great often, or lightly, but this book is great.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5. 

The OCD zone- This book has really nice, thick, coated stock paper and the same nice coated cardstock cover that all Marvel trade paperbacks have. The paper is a smidgen too shiny and difficult to photograph.

Paper rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Binding rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Cardstock cover rating: 5 out of 5.

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