Rating: 
Summary: MILLER'S EVOLUTION
Review: Way back in the early '80s, when I was not yet a teenager and was still an avid comic reader, I picked up issue #181 of Daredevil. Was it the fact that it was a double-issue that drew me to it? Was it the hopes that it would be a collector's item? Was it the cool splahpage depicting DD getting shot right through the head (in Bulleye's imagination)?Who knows. But I remember thinking that there was an unusual and well-handled amount of violence (I still wonder how it all got past the Comics Code at the time) in the book and a minimal amount of actual dialogue and narrative. Which shouldn't be so surprising, since Frank Miller started out as an artist. But that's why it's so great to have these issues - #168-182 - collected in this volume. Volume 1 collects the issues where Miller handled the artistic chores on the series, and feature pretty second-rate writing, and are really only for completions sake. Volume #2 picks up with the onset of Frank Miller as writer and artist, and forever changed the tone and importance of Daredevil in the Marvel universe. The first issue's writing - featuring the debut of Elektra - is actually pretty clumsy and over-eager in places. It's obvious Miller really wanted to prove that he was able to write. But as the issues progress, Miller becomes more confident and sure of his abilities and his voice and progressively the storytelling leans more and more towards showing rather than telling. Not only were these issues a breakthrough for Miller in becoming a unique writer, it was a major shift in the Mrvel style of comics. Marvel superheroes were always the wose-cracking, hip, and cool characters. Suddenly, Miller was exploring DD's fears and motivations and how he 's willing to bend and even break the rules when he gets emotional enough. The best part of the story here is the Kingpin and his attempts to get influence in New York's political arena. I would've preferred more emphasis on that then all the ninja oriented stuff (and Kirigi - the energizer bunny of assasins). I think Miller would've too, judging from how his writing has progressed over the years. Volume #3 collects some of the most important works in Daredevil history (and also some of Miller's sloppiest and laziest), but this volume is the more consistent and linear of the two. (oh - but best of all is Born Again - an ABSOLUTE must) Check 'em all out, whether it's to introduce yourself or re-read Miller's origins as a writer and Daredevil's history. Ultimately, the worst thing you can say about Miller, is that DD took years to find a quality scribe again after he left the book. And that's a pretty impressive feat...for an artist.
Rating: 
Summary: These are the Daredevil stories not to be missed
Review: When Frank Miller was only drawing and co-plotting "Daredevil" in the late 70's and early 80's the issues were a lot of fun, but once he took over the writing chores... wow. "Daredevil Visionaries: Frank Miller, Volume 2" reprints the first dozen or so "Daredevil" issues featuring Miller as both writer and artist, and wait 'til you see the leap in quality from the undeniably entertaining stories seen in volume 1, where Miller was only the artist and sometimes plotter. How good are these stories? Well, right out of the box, we meet Daredevil's first love turned killer-for-hire Electra (in Miller's FIRST issue as writer!); get plunged into a major gangwar featuring the Kingpin, Bullseye, and the mysterious group of ninja assassins known only as "The Hand"; meet yet another previously unseen figure from Daredevil's past, his streetwise and battle-scarred teacher and mentor "Stick"; and experience all kinds of other fun stuff still talked about twenty years after the stories first appeared. And I haven't even talked about the memorable, operatic Daredevil #'s 180, 181, and 182, the classic issues that close this volume. By the way, the storyline of the upcoming Daredevil movie was heavily influenced by this fan-favorite run of stories, so why not experience them in their original form first? Great stories, great art, and even some humor (in the form of recurring, not-very-efficient crooks Turk and Grotto)-- what more can you want?
Rating:
Summary: These are the Daredevil stories not to be missed
Review: When Frank Miller was only drawing and co-plotting "Daredevil" in the late 70's and early 80's the issues were a lot of fun, but once he took over the writing chores... wow. "Daredevil Visionaries: Frank Miller, Volume 2" reprints the first dozen or so "Daredevil" issues featuring Miller as both writer and artist, and wait 'til you see the leap in quality from the undeniably entertaining stories seen in volume 1, where Miller was only the artist and sometimes plotter. How good are these stories? Well, right out of the box, we meet Daredevil's first love turned killer-for-hire Electra (in Miller's FIRST issue as writer!); get plunged into a major gangwar featuring the Kingpin, Bullseye, and the mysterious group of ninja assassins known only as "The Hand"; meet yet another previously unseen figure from Daredevil's past, his streetwise and battle-scarred teacher and mentor "Stick"; and experience all kinds of other fun stuff still talked about twenty years after the stories first appeared. And I haven't even talked about the memorable, operatic Daredevil #'s 180, 181, and 182, the classic issues that close this volume. By the way, the storyline of the upcoming Daredevil movie was heavily influenced by this fan-favorite run of stories, so why not experience them in their original form first? Great stories, great art, and even some humor (in the form of recurring, not-very-efficient crooks Turk and Grotto)-- what more can you want?
Rating:
Summary: Often Imitated, Never Duplicated
Review: With Daredevil, Frank Miller basically changed the way comics were viewed. He single-handedly ushered in the "grim and gritty" era of art and storytelling. This was for adults, not for kids. Although his style has been copied by countless others (Bendis just for a start) this now 20+ year old saga is still fresh.
I have not seen the movie yet, but sincerely doubt it will be as good as this and volume 2.
Rating:
Summary: Miller Time
Review: Yes, I know Frank Miller's Batman and I know his work in SIn City. I know his contribution to the comic medium. Yet, I felt underwhelmed everytime I read his work. Why? His legend is guge. The Dark Knight Returns is regarded as the best Batman story ever. Yeah, I like it...but it felt like something was missing after I read it. That is why I felt apprehensive about reading Daredevil, a series I wanted to read for a while. Luckly, I pickd this book up...and I was blown away. I spent more time with this book than any other...and I was in the middle of finals when I picked it up. Yes, I knew the ending before I read it. Yes, I had a idea about what was to happen. Yet, I was shocked and amazed when I read it the first time. This is without a dobut one of the cream of the comic crop.
Rating: 
Summary: Miller's early beginnings
Review: [NOTE: This review is actually for Daredevil Visionaries: Frank Miller Volume One, but for some reason, Amazon keeps posting it as volume two.] When it comes to Daredevil, there is only one name you need to know; Frank Miller. Over 20 years ago, Frank Miller began his immortal run (and indeed his career) on a lesser known comic called Daredevil: The Man Without Fear. No other writer (with the exception of Chris Claremont's historic run on X-Men) has so completely owned and placed such a big stamp on another's creative property. Stan Lee may have come up with the idea Daredevil, but it was Miller who made him. Frank Miller may be better known for his work on Batman, but his work on Daredevil is far more extensive. Everything Daredevil is today since 1980 is because of Frank Miller, and Marvel Comics has wisely captured it in a three volume series aptly named Daredevil Visionaries. This is where it all began. There are a few things I must point out to newcomers. First and most importantly, Frank Miller is a fantastic artist and few artists can compare to his skill at storytelling (the comic term for telling the story in pictures). But, the reason Frank Miller is so reveared is because of his writing. That said, this first volume only features Frank Miller's art (and early art at that). It isn't until vol. 2 that you really get to experience the wonder. This is the reason for only 3 stars (the book is not bad by a longshot, but neither is it magnificent). Second and also important, is that not all of Frank Miller's work on Daredevil can be found in these volumes. In the storylinee, chronologically, there is another tradepaperback that you should read first. It's simply called, The Man Without Fear, and it is ironically the last work Miller ever did on Daredevil. Daredevil Visionaries: Frank Miller Vol 1 is a good, but not great tradepaperback collecting Frank Miller's early beginnings in comics as a hot young artist. It's worth having to complete the three volume set, of which volumes 2 and 3 are must owns. Just, whatever you do, don't stop with this volume if you are unimpressed. It only get's better; much better.
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