Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • Picks of the Week: December 17, 2014

      Jeannie Deej
      December 14, 2014
      Columns, Picks of the Week
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • JLA: "New World Order" Gives Us the Best Justice League

      Jeannie Deej
      March 23, 2016
      DC Comics, The Long-Form
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2020
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • What Looks Good for 12/16: Indies

      Jeannie Deej
      December 15, 2015
      Boom! Studios, Columns, Indie, What Looks Good
    Recent
    • 4.0

      Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

      Stephen Cook
      March 3, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 5.0

      Doctor Who #11

      Jeannie Deej
      November 26, 2011
      Reviews
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • 2.3

      Review: SAVAGE #1 Needs Taming

      Daniel Gehen
      February 16, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Gerard Way: Flexing His Writing Muscles with Umbrella Academy

      Jeannie Deej
      August 27, 2007
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • 'Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel' is a Great Tribute to the Master Cartoonist

      Jeannie Deej
      May 23, 2017
      Books, Classic Comics, Classic Comics Cavalcade
    Recent
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Reliving the Craziest Decade in Comics History: An interview with Jason Sacks

      Mark Stack
      January 2, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • Comics Bulletin Exclusive Preview – Scarlet Spiders #2 from Marvel

      Jeannie Deej
      December 10, 2014
      News
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Review: 'Cartoon County' is a Breezy, Fun Burst of Comics Nostalgia

      Jeannie Deej
      November 13, 2017
      Books
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past
  • Collecting Profile: Blue Beetle
  • Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia
  • Collecting Profile: Kraven the Hunter
  • Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good
  • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Columns

Daredevil’s Advocate

Jeannie Deej
May 3, 2015
Columns, Shot for Shot
“The Devil’s most devilish when respectable.” – E.B. Browning

The Man Without Fear braves his next attempt at joining the world of (successful) live action entertainment. With the masses’ figuratively unanimous decision in, the verdict is: third time’s a charm, Daredevil fans. Not that Marvel or Netflix are in need of such magical assistance of late. The comic book industry staple, Daredevil, has never had a lot to live up to off its inked pages. But, as of the April 2015 release of his 13 episode Netflix series (and the speedy green-lighting of a second season) Double D has seen his way to the front of the pack in a hurry, setting the new standard in the small screen superhero race along the way.

Daredevil's first daring TV appearance in the NBC film, The Trial of The Incredible Hulk (1989).

Daredevil’s first daring TV appearance in the NBC film, The Trial of The Incredible Hulk (1989).

Daredevil (who daylights as morally-sound lawyer, Matthew Murdock), has an extensive, respectable cannon in the world of comic books. Created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett (with a nod for Jack Kirby), he first premiered in Daredevil #1 (April 1964). The character has endured for numerous and diverse decades, through a multitude of multiplying universes. He regularly lands modest rankings on Best All-Time Superhero lists (a quick search shows him 10th on IGN, 17th at Ranker, and so on and so forth). He’s heavily touted as a superhero with a disability, since the classic-comic book-toxic-waste-accident left him blind. While he represents a refreshing dose of diversity in mainstream comic culture, the accident did, of course, also amplify the rest of his senses to the point of super-abilities.

His first attempt at live-action only produced sampler-size roles as Daredevil tried and failed to find footing in the television market from the 70s to the 90s. His cameos often involved helping out flashier names like Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, and the Fantastic Four. He even had an unaired pilot produced and canned along the way. For the twenty plus years that followed, Daredevil has shown up in his best pixelated suits for numerous Marvel video games (like these). He’s definitely been a popular guy, sporting a history with the sultry, talented Elektra and a camaraderie with the fun, neighbourly Spidey. Daredevil, by all accounts, has waited patiently for his big screen appearance.

Brian Marcon sells this educcational evolutionary breakdown of Daredevil through Comic Book MintWhich brings us to attempt number two: Daredevil (2003), written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Enter Affleck. Exit Affleck. It’s said that Ben Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms (yo). And it’s equally postulated that Ben Affleck bombed in Daredevil (no?). Skipping all the negative rants owed to this movie (of which Affleck is nowhere near the most damning), it *did* check off a lot of iconic boxes (red outfit included). Not a believer? Here’s a whole article from EW making the case. The film did have key canonized building blocks in the inventory, even if they were pieced together to create a specatcular boondoggle.

Today, after standing on the rooftops, echolocating the sources of our grumbles and excitement, Daredevil takes his first, seriously badass steps off paper and into show business. Attempt number three starts with step one: align yourself with the juggernaut crew leading the entertainment business’s streaming revolution. Netflix, the superpower of its industry (whether hero or villain depends on how you see such large and successful intellectual property libraries for hire), has busted onto the scene guns a blazin’: House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Marco Polo. They run short seasons with big budgets, and the high production value is always palpable. They’ve stepped into big name stand up, comedies with podium-topping writers, keen acquisitions like Arrested Development and Trailer Park Boys. Netflix makes smart decisions.(A soon-to-be-dynasty? Check out Netflix’saccomplishments to date and to come). Their foray into the world of superheroes has maintained their momentum, with Daredevil the first of many Marvel series’ already in the works.

Regarding his vision for the Netflix Daredevil series, Marvel Television’s head, Jeph Loeb, told Entertainment Weekly that “there aren’t going to be people flying through the sky; there are no magic hammers. We’ve always approached this as a crime drama first, superhero show second.” (Here’s the January 2015article for further envisioning.) The reality is that most of the initial viewers will be fans of Daredevil, fans of comics, or at least fans of this burgeoning action genre. Word of mouth, pushed by the show’s critical success, will undoubtedly attract additional demographics with it’s duality as a crime drama. Subtle references to the Avengers film continuity, will do their darndest to draw new eyes to the Marvel franchise as a whole,  whilst diligently feeding crumbs to the ever-hungry already-present fandom.

It’s too soon after Daredevil’s full season release to cover specifics of the Netflix show without spoilers. So instead, if you haven’t yet watched the show, here are are plethora of comparisons and talking points:

The dark alley grit that, heretofore, has been done best by Arrow? Surpassed in it’s dirtiness and grittiness by Daredevil. Both heroes do enjoy banishing men from “their city”, and while the Arrow more regularly leans on stunts to razzle, the action in Hell’s Kitchen is done seamlessly (and often seemingly without wires), and although less frequent, is impressively successful in its dazzle.

Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk - hiding an entire barrel in his chest.

Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk – hiding an entire barrel in his chest.

Barry Allen’s chirpy voice welcomes us into the family-friendly CW world where his alter ego, The Flash, battles meta-humans with super-abilities. While Daredevil’s segue walks us through bloody silhouettes, into the paths of a bloodier criminal element, grounded in our current evolutionary perimeters and adult content. The Flash’s gang has fun making up villain’s monikers for a new demographic with superpowers in Starling City. Daredevil deals with less fun villains, involving super graphic knifing scenes and enough angry-adrenaline-power to decapitate a man with a car door in Hell’s Kitchen.

The scope of Daredevil is currently much more narrow than the meandering plots of The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. It’s hard to find a character as likable as Agent Coulson. But, Vincent D’Onofrio put on, like, 100 pounds of meat and lost 10 pounds of hair to portray DD’s nemesis, Wilson Fisk. All those quirks that fell flat with Vince’s portrayal of Detective Robert Goren in Law & Order, have found a home in his slow, deliberate take on this thunderous, multi-dimensional bad guy, Kingpin.

Matthew Murdock & Romo Lampkin: Twinsies

Matthew Murdock & Romo Lampkin: Twinsies

With a dedication to its classic comic continuity (noticeably lacking in the choices of Fox’s Gotham) Marvel Television still successfully prioritizes the crime show elements of the Daredevil series. There is a sombre, three dimensional element to character exposition. The pace is digestible and methodical, in a way that does pay homage to The Wire as intended by the production crew. The script doesn’t dumb down its clever turns. Common sense in uncommonly present throughout. Matthew Murdock (portrayed by Charlie Cox), with his soft gruff tone, (literal) rose-coloured glasses, and petit unassuming frame, smacks of Battlestar Galactica’s lawyer, Romo Lampkin (portrayed by Mark Sheppard) and his quietly brilliant, unorthodox approach to justice. Murdock’s sidekick, Foggy Nelson, as comic relief is passable (and improving), even if the actor, Elden Henson, still looks unshakably like he did as Fulton Reed, the “enforcer” from Disney’s The Mighty Ducks..

Daredevil, like Elden, has broken away from its kid-friendly origins in a successful and promising manner. Netflix is building a roster of quality productions, with unique cinematography, focused story development, pertinent dialogue, worthwhile character development, and a sense of realism that rivals the DC universe while maintaining Marvel’s dedication towards its own cannon.

We’ve grown accustomed to watching five bad guys bobbing around in a breakdancing circle while the protagonists takes on one fighter at a time. Well, Daredevil pulls out all the stops to ensure that doesn’t happen in this show. Watch Season 1, Episode 2, from 0:40:00  to 0:44:55 (ish). Consider it a taste test. In essence, it’s a satiating microcosm of all the reasons why I’m a Daredevil Advocate.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.ArrowBen AffleckCharlie CoxDaredevilDevil's AdvocateGothamKingpinMarvelMarvel TelevisionMatthew MurdockNetflixRomo LampkinSuperheroesThe FlashVincent D'OnofrioWilson Fisk

Share On:
Tweet
Kickstarter Spotlight: E.X.O. — The Legend of Wale Williams Part One
Bizarre New World: “Sky Patrol”

About The Author

<a href="https://comicsbulletin.com/byline/jeannie-deej/" rel="tag">Jeannie Deej</a>
Jeannie Deej

Jeannie Di Giacomo is a human. She is nice, curious, enjoys the written word and a competitive game of hot hands. She has authentic prescription glasses, worn unironically while exploring her attraction to Science and the Arts. Trained in English Lit and Creative Writing, competent in Philosophy, and present in Psychology, her post-graduate works have focused heavily on scripts, fiction, and content creation. New to the world of journalism, Jeannie is titillated by the opportunity to ask others the questions she asks herself. And then write about it.

Related Posts

  • Collecting Profile: Kraven the Hunter

    nguyen ly
    February 20, 2021
  • Collecting Profile: Jessica Jones

    nguyen ly
    February 6, 2021

Latest Columns

  • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

    Daniel Gehen
    February 8, 2021
  • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

    Daniel Gehen
    December 4, 2020
  • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

    Daniel Gehen
    October 30, 2020
  • Comictober 2020: DRACULA MOTHERF**KER

    Daniel Gehen
    October 27, 2020
  • What Looks Good for the Week of 10/14/2020

    Daniel Gehen
    October 12, 2020
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders