Reviewed by Gregory Dickens. Strongly Recommended.
DAREDEVIL #1-8
"Guardian Devil"
Writer: Kevin Smith
Artist: Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti
Letterer: Comicraft
Colorist: Avalon Studios
Published January-August 1999 by Marvel
Comics
Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, has some problems. His longtime love, Karen Page, has left him, and he confesses he "has a hard time remebering the Lord." It doesn't help at all that he finds himself in custody of an infant who could be either the Antichrist or Christ himself reborn. A representative of a shadowy organization called Sheol claims the child will bring harm to all those it comes in contact with, including Daredevil's friends. Sure enough, Karen returns to him with a serious illness, and law partner Foggy Nelson is jailed on murder charges. Torn between protecting and surrendering the child, Daredevil finds himself acting erraticly, encountering Black Widow, Dr Strange and Bullseye along the way. The mission takes a dark turn for our hero, and giving away any more would be criminal. Suffice to say, our hero takes from all this a stronger sense of faith. But, as always, it comes at a cost...
This is filmamker Kevin Smith's first foray into comic writing without his own characters, which you'll find in various books from Oni Press. The writer and director of CLERKS, MALLRATS, CHASING AMY, and the upcoming DOGMA, Smith brings to the comic a wicked sense of dialogue and character and a love of comics. It's no surprise, then, to find a comic dripping with double entendres, quips and snappy word flow. Black Widow has never sounded as alluring as her character has always been described. Here we get to see it in her word choice and use. Marvel's great vixen is finally shown as one. Conversations practically bounce across the page. Monologes offer great character depth.
What is a surprise is the depth of religious imagery and personal turmoil. This is a dark story where Daredevil agonizes over the next step and weighs the consquences of his actions. As a lover, a hero, a friend and a religious man, Murdock comes across as a full man, one who must act with a conviction he can't muster. Daredevil uses his abilities to the utmost, punishing the random mugger or tackling the criminal mastermind with his agility, club and senses. It's not just convincing but compelling. When the worst happens, (which I won't tell here) it carries real weight. He hurts and we hurt alongside him.
Smith's story ranks right up there with those by Frank Miller and Ann Nocenti in action and feel. This reads as no writer's experiment but as a rich tale made all the better by the medium. This is a gorgeous comic book story. Artists Quesada and Palmiotti craft a bleak, stark atmosphere, drenching pages in deep black to build form and tone. It's a lively style. Daredevil's club line is as animated as Todd McFarlane's webstrings and capes. Art nouveau frames mix with icons and prints by Gustav Dore in gutter backgrounds. The colors are lush, casting the pages in tone gradations that support the scenes well.
This is a beautiful comic, and it hits its zenith with the fifth issue. Daredevil seeks the aid of Dr. Strange. Magic floats and zips about and Mephisto - depicted in the lizardlike form, not the slim, wild-haired, theatrical appearance - is summoned to spill his secrets. He and Daredevil have a history, and it's a moment played for all the tension it can bear. That is followed by a slaughter in a mission and a battle with Bullseye that ends with a tragedy that stirs even the most heartless bastard. This is possibly the best single issue this year of any comic book.
Comic fans may be put off by the story's density. It's not one to scan. You can't get by just marveling at the pretty pictures, kids. No no no; you're going to have to read it. Smith spares no word balloon his full talent, and his word-per-issue ratio looks like the rupiah-to-dollar exchange rate. Fear not, the book is as entertaining as it is verbose, and it'll be worth your while. The villain's confession in issue 7 is a great read; you may have to go back and look at the art you missed.
You may also, like I, have some questions afterward like how the hell Bullseye's alive again after being killed, resurrected and beheaded by Elektra in Miller's ELEKTRA LIVES AGAIN graphic novel. There's also a huge fallacy in a conversation Daredevil has with Spider-Man. To comfort DD, Spider-man says that despite all the upheaval and sadness caused by villainy, Daredevil saved the baby. DD accepts that. I would expect his lawyer mind would argue that the baby would never have been endangered and its family killed had not Daredevil been targeted by the bad guy. Maybe our hero finds what happiness he can. Maybe in that search he passes by that train of thought. Maybe. But it sticks in my mind as a weak link, especially in the story's conclusion.
But notice how faith and Christian doctrine are used here, compared to how its mythology is used in DC's DAY OF JUDGMENT crossover. While the trappings and figures are used there for setting, Smith uses them here for personal support, faith and comfort. It's a wide swing of the pendulum, where the separation of religion and faith is revealed. That's what "Guardian Angel" is about. A monumental story told on a small scale, Smith's arc shows us a great Marvel hero, the best currently delivered by that publisher. Empowered but burdened, noble and imperfect, Daredevil takes on his mission in the best tradition of a crusade. But you musn't skim over the story; each scene places another brick in the structure, and each obstacle adds to DD's character. It's a finely tuned architecture everyone creates here.
The 'Devil is in the details.
Strongly Recommended.
Issues #1-3 of "Guardian Devil" are collected in a Marvel's Finest edition. A full collection of all eight issues is yet to be released.
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