Rating: 
Summary: Definitive Daredevil ;
Review: "Daredevil vol. 1 HC" comprises comic compilation culled from Daredevil(vol. 2) issues # 1-8, &9-15(I forgotten what one issue skip here, perhaps #l3?).This is the original title of this hardcover GN as solicited by Marvel, not the title indicated above.The writer & artist respectively are Kevin Smith & Joe Quesada for #1-8, which I want to explore here. Other issues are #9-15, & is written by David Mack, it is lamentable I have yet to read these issues, but I heard they are also very good tales & I concur, since David Mack is one of the most talented storytellers in this medium as he excel on writing psychological & intellectual stories.And, with Quesada again as his artist.This run by Kevin Smith & Joe Quesada (#1-8) is the definitive Daredevil. This storyarc by Kevin Smith is titled "the Guardian Devil" is about an infant who turns up under Matt Murdock care after an unceasing & unexpected turn of events. Matt was influenced to think the baby was a savior predestined by God to save mankind, or/but perhaps the baby is an antithesis, an omen, a veritable anti-christ that will agonizes him with myriad of problems ? Or perhaps, the infant is neither of them all, but a concoction and confederation by his long-time enemies ? The story characteristic elements that are relative to being the best & exemplary of all Daredevil books ever created are slow-moving, gloomy & poignant ,talky & dialogue-heavy.These characteristics is a conclusive statement resulted to being a hardcore thread, yet though quite heavy & intense, the book turns out to be a must & definitive reading.It should stand as the quintessential reference and keepsake hardcover tome for collector & daredevil fans alike. But especially recommended for new readers to Daredevil, as this GN is a stand-alone & aptly, as an introductory reading to get acquainted to Daredevil mythos. The book other high points come from smaller scenes & tender moments like, Matt is having a small talk with her mother,a nun. Their conversation is thoughtful,metaphoric,& poignant mixed together, as they debated about Matt being a son to her, & about her being a mother or not to Matt.But the best part, is when her mother narrates to Matt a parable about God, having faith or not having faith.Do God exist or not. To extract a small portion of her story, she recounted "if you did not believe in God, then you died and happen there is an afterlife,it will be too late for sorry".That statement is a reply to Matt as he opined there is no God nor a Heaven. The other high points worth elaborating about is Karen Page, the lead female protagonist. Her participation in this story commence from the opening page of the story, up until the last page, long after she died.The book is well-organized and deftly-crafted, as her implicit appearance from page one is solely from her voice alone reading a diary placed in the captions. Those scenes I think is poignantly & meticulously written by the author as she fondly recounted her personal & memorable moments with Matt Murdock.Her words alone, can give you an initial background to the long-time character; Her startling involvement in a physical confrontation between Daredevil & his long-time nemesis Bullseye which inevitably resulted to her demise as an act of self-sacrifice to his beloved Matt; And in the end pages,where she gave something personal & valuable for her, to Matt as her last will, where again, everything were told in the same manner as the opening pages,with her woice alone reading her last will placed via captions.Karen Page, her part in this definitive story, consisted a large chunk of alloted space, as her character & role is critical to the success of this endeavor. Bullseye, Black widow & Foggy Nelson, also are accorded a big chunk of alloted space for their character developement.They also play a significant parts in contribution to being the best Daredevil story ever. My opinion regarding heralding Frank Miller's Daredevil efforts, such as his " Daredevil: Year one" & "Daredevil: Born again". I had read them both. His endeavor does not merit being called the definitive Dardevil. I found his works not strong & inadequate. Not strong because, Frank Miller, in my obsevation has a propensity to slacked off or weakened especially, often at the end part(or issues)of the story.Particulary, Iam referring to his work on "Born Again", to substantiate my point. Inadequate because, unlike Kevin Smith's, he did not exercise proficient story-related characteristic elements or moods to ameliorate and supplement his storytelling, such as dark & depressing, heartwarming & poignant or anything of intellectually stirring. Also, the artworks on both books, in my thinking, are below par as in not particulary eye-pleasing and especially look dirty and unfinished. Daredevil vol. 1 HC personifies Kevin Smith as a top-notch and quality writer, who has a profound talent to write hardcore, heavy, poignant and memorable stories.Writng them is not easy, as it requires a writer of top-caliber skills. A good book to own for it's historical value of being a timeless masterwork. This book, I rate as the very best in the superhero genre, rank up there,in parallel with Origin, Marvel Masterworks, Rise of Apocalypse, Villainy of Dr. Doom & Thor, Gods on Earth TPBs. Highest possible recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Blind Love
Review: Daredevil, blind hero of Hell's Kitchen in New York City, unexpectedly finds love in a deaf woman named Maya Lopez, who has as many secrets and complications as he does. In this graphic novel, Matt Murdock is recovering from the loss of Karen Page, his lover, and feels empty inside. Even though he and Foggy Nelson, his law partner, are stepping out into their own and about to start doing great things, Murdock's life isn't complete. He stands in the shadow of Wilson Fisk, a gargantuan crime figure known as the Kingpin. When a witness comes forward to the offices of Nelson & Murdock hoping to testify against the Kingpin, an assassin murders him, wounding Murdock as well. Donning his crimson suit, knowing that Fisk deliberately had the man murdered there because he knows who he is, Daredevil sets out in pursuit. As this story line progresses, the reader is also informed of Maya Lopez, the deaf prodigy that is the daughter of Fisk's partner. Maya has the uncanny ability to duplicate any skill she's ever seen, from piano playing to martial arts to ballet. Maya is also driven to find the man who killed her father and make him pay. The Kingpin puts Maya on a collision course with Matt Murdock, claiming that the blind attorney's alter-ego Daredevil was the one that killed her father. Even as Maya follows the assignments that Fisk has designed to pull her into Daredevil's orbit and eventually lead her to attempt to kill him, Matt Murdock falls in love, head over heels. David Mack has been nominated for several awards as writer, artist, and creator. His creation, KABUKI, has garnered much professional attention as well as support from fans. In addition to DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE, he did the painting for another recent Daredevil graphic novel, DAREDEVIL: WAKE UP. Joe Quesada is currently editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, and he has a host of work--writing and editing--behind him. Quesada has been a driving force behind Daredevil's current popularity. While over at DC Comics, Quesada helped birth and develop Azrael with Batman powerhouse, Denny O'Neil. DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE without a doubt is beautifully written. The three principal characters--Daredevil, Maya, and Wilson Fisk--are superbly drawn out in their own voices. The narrative structure, subjects, and presentation is evocative, and--like Maya's own secret identity--leaves the reader with an echo of the story long after the tale is finished. David Mack is an exemplary story-teller, and the three stories of the characters are deftly interwoven to create a cohesive whole while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the individuals. Mack worked from layout sketches, laying his vision of the panel breakdowns out for Quesada and Ross. In addition to the writing, the art is absolutely striking. The reader can feel the stillness of a frozen moment, or see the blur of movement as the protagonists battle each other. The colors, well presented in the comics that this story was compiled from, are beautifully rendered in the graphic novel. The Kingpin comes across as a dual force of emotions for the reader: the scariest person who ever lived, and yet one of the most tragic. The only quibble about the graphic novel would be in regards to the last story. An editorial note said that Quesada and Mack felt the story should be left in the graphic novel collection to preserve the full run of the series (it was originally published as a fill-in issue) in graphic novels. But the story, even though it takes place in a few minutes during the next to the last issue and telescopes the action and the meaning, simply doesn't belong with DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE. The addition of the story is like an after-dinner mint that really warps the memory of the taste of a good meal. DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE is definitely a keeper for the fans of Daredevil, David Mack, and Joe Quesada. For anyone brought back into the fold by Kevin Smith's work, Mack's Daredevil and insights into character and story will continue to be a lodestone for anyone looking for a good tale.
Rating:
Summary: Blind Love
Review: Daredevil, blind hero of Hell's Kitchen in New York City, unexpectedly finds love in a deaf woman named Maya Lopez, who has as many secrets and complications as he does. In this graphic novel, Matt Murdock is recovering from the loss of Karen Page, his lover, and feels empty inside. Even though he and Foggy Nelson, his law partner, are stepping out into their own and about to start doing great things, Murdock's life isn't complete. He stands in the shadow of Wilson Fisk, a gargantuan crime figure known as the Kingpin. When a witness comes forward to the offices of Nelson & Murdock hoping to testify against the Kingpin, an assassin murders him, wounding Murdock as well. Donning his crimson suit, knowing that Fisk deliberately had the man murdered there because he knows who he is, Daredevil sets out in pursuit. As this story line progresses, the reader is also informed of Maya Lopez, the deaf prodigy that is the daughter of Fisk's partner. Maya has the uncanny ability to duplicate any skill she's ever seen, from piano playing to martial arts to ballet. Maya is also driven to find the man who killed her father and make him pay. The Kingpin puts Maya on a collision course with Matt Murdock, claiming that the blind attorney's alter-ego Daredevil was the one that killed her father. Even as Maya follows the assignments that Fisk has designed to pull her into Daredevil's orbit and eventually lead her to attempt to kill him, Matt Murdock falls in love, head over heels. David Mack has been nominated for several awards as writer, artist, and creator. His creation, KABUKI, has garnered much professional attention as well as support from fans. In addition to DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE, he did the painting for another recent Daredevil graphic novel, DAREDEVIL: WAKE UP. Joe Quesada is currently editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, and he has a host of work--writing and editing--behind him. Quesada has been a driving force behind Daredevil's current popularity. While over at DC Comics, Quesada helped birth and develop Azrael with Batman powerhouse, Denny O'Neil. DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE without a doubt is beautifully written. The three principal characters--Daredevil, Maya, and Wilson Fisk--are superbly drawn out in their own voices. The narrative structure, subjects, and presentation is evocative, and--like Maya's own secret identity--leaves the reader with an echo of the story long after the tale is finished. David Mack is an exemplary story-teller, and the three stories of the characters are deftly interwoven to create a cohesive whole while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the individuals. Mack worked from layout sketches, laying his vision of the panel breakdowns out for Quesada and Ross. In addition to the writing, the art is absolutely striking. The reader can feel the stillness of a frozen moment, or see the blur of movement as the protagonists battle each other. The colors, well presented in the comics that this story was compiled from, are beautifully rendered in the graphic novel. The Kingpin comes across as a dual force of emotions for the reader: the scariest person who ever lived, and yet one of the most tragic. The only quibble about the graphic novel would be in regards to the last story. An editorial note said that Quesada and Mack felt the story should be left in the graphic novel collection to preserve the full run of the series (it was originally published as a fill-in issue) in graphic novels. But the story, even though it takes place in a few minutes during the next to the last issue and telescopes the action and the meaning, simply doesn't belong with DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE. The addition of the story is like an after-dinner mint that really warps the memory of the taste of a good meal. DAREDEVIL: PARTS OF A HOLE is definitely a keeper for the fans of Daredevil, David Mack, and Joe Quesada. For anyone brought back into the fold by Kevin Smith's work, Mack's Daredevil and insights into character and story will continue to be a lodestone for anyone looking for a good tale.
Rating:
Summary: Kevin Smith's Daredevil is a modern masterpiece!
Review: For anyone who is a longtime fan of DD, or even for those just discovering the "man without fear," this collection is a MUST HAVE! Kevin Smith's writing is nothing short of Brilliant, and is perfectly complemented by Quesada and Palmiotti's moody art! Check it out!
Rating:
Summary: As good as The Watchmen or Dark Knight Returns!
Review: I picked up this series a couple of days ago and I can not say enough about it. The art is truly breathtaking and the inking is equally (if not even more) stunning. But the story is the meat for the mind to chew on, too. Kevin Smith, this is perhaps the best series I have read in the past year. This reminds me what this genre is capable of doing. You involve spirituality, romance, loyalty, betrayal... and it is all so well-written. Do yourself a favor. BUY THIS ISSUE! It will NOT disappoint you, I believe.
Rating: 
Summary: More hype then story
Review: I think this series of Daredevil stories caught more attention because Kevin Smith wrote it, not because long time DD readers wanted to see a good story with Daredevil in it. Indeed this story is quite over-written with a story that goes no where but in endless circles. Several supporting DD cast members get trashed in this story and you might be repulsed by how out of character Daredevil is in this book. In one scene, he throws a child off the roof. I don't care how much praise has been given to Smith. He can not make good movies and he can not write comics. I hope a future writer is able to repair the damage caused by Smith and make Daredevil a great comic again.
Rating: 
Summary: Marvel gets moody again
Review: It probably cost them a fist full of cash and the deadlines Kevin Smith and the gang kept made Amtrak look good, but they pulled off something people were starting to think Marvel was incapable of anymore: creating a dark brooding version of one of their popular but sinking heroes. Now if they can only hire somebody on the same par to save Spiderman. With that said, yes, the story had a slightly off ending. Yes, it broke some rules. But, you know, that's what rules are for when you're dealing with costumed vigilantes. All around, the series deserves a couple big ol'e devil horns up in my book. The art was some of the best on the comic shelves; the dialogue actually sounded human and there was never a story that showed Bullseye looking as freakishly insane before. Marvel needs to see what the boys in the Daredevil corner are doing as a wake up call. The long-standing characters need to mature a little more to keep up with their audience. Create some new ones to attract the next generation, but let the adults have the super heroes they grew up with. The only thing I want to know is, are we going to have to wait as long as we did for issue 8 for the movie version of DD?
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Kevin has brought DareDevil back in action whit a brilliant story, a must for all comic enjoyers!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful hardback.
Review: Most of the reviews listed for this title aren't accurate at all, since they're for a completely different edition, so I thought I'd chime in. This hardback is part of Marvel's new oversized line. And as I've come to expect, it's of fantastic quality. From the glossy attractive cover to the vibrant coloring of the pages, Daredevil Vol. 1 screams for a spot on anyone's bookshelf or coffee table. As a special treat, the inspiring introduction is written by Tom Sullivan. If the name isn't familiar to you, he's a blind man that has managed to lead a very productive life despite his disability. From skiing to bungie-jumping, Mr. Sullivan has happily experienced what life has to offer, blind or not. He was also a consultant on the Daredevil movie. Included in this hardback are the issues of Daredevil #1-11, and #13-15, the Guardian Devil (Smith/Quesada) and Parts of a Hole (Mack/Quesada) storylines. Nothing will probably ever compare to Miller's sagas (Elektra, Born Again, Man Without Fear), but these are wonderful reads, with a huge impact on recent continuity. Also, while Smith's Guardian Devil storyline seems like a rehash of the Elektra saga, there's still an incredible emotional impact, that's still being discussed today (see Daredevil: Yellow for more). Many cameos are present, including a touching appearance by Spider-man, who is one of the few people that can truly understand what Matt has gone through at the end of Guardian Devil. The "special features" featured after the collected issues are lacking, though that's hardly something to dock the book for. And the few sketches and artwork included are great to see. Still, comments from the writers/artists would have been wonderful. Pick this edition up soon, or risk not being able to find it later. Besides, sales for this and Vol 2 could inspire Marvel to release the Miller sagas as oversized hardcovers. ;)
Rating: 
Summary: Incomplete and unnecessary
Review: No, Marvel Comics should NOT have released this in paperback form. The story was inconsistent and unfinished. Not a single trace of a true "ending." I was disappointed with the way this book was rushed to publication without the thoughts of the reader's confusement. I would gladly return this book for a full refund if I could. I would recommend "Daredevil: Visionaries" as an alternative.
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