Here we have one of my all-time favorite comic books, ever.I got this issue of Daredevil in trade from my friend Bruce when I was very young, and I've held onto it tightly ever since - the poor comic is terribly threadbare and barely holding together, but it's just a good a "read" as ever.
Cover dated April 1965, this issue features the first appearance of Daredevil's red-and-black costume, courtesy of Hall of Fame artist Wally Wood. He's at the top of his game here (and boy, is that saying something), as he takes us from the undersea splendor of Atlantis to the middle of Manhattan, throwing in one of the greatest fight sequences ever just for fun. When it came to detailed art, dramatic poses, powerful characters and amazing battles, Wood couldn't be beat.
Written by Stan Lee, the story begins with Namor the Sub-Mariner being coaxed into finding a way to allow Atlantis to find its rightful place in the surface world. Rather than declare war, Namor decides to try to find a peaceful solution - so he goes to New York to hire a lawyer so he can sue the human race!
By an amazing coincidence, he arrives at the law firm of Nelson and Murdock, but doesn't appreciate their advice (you can imagine what it is). Namor decides to force the surface men to take him to court by going on a rampage in the town (obviously Namor hasn't thought this thing through), which brings him into conflict with Daredevil.
The contrast between the characters is entertaining all by itself - Daredevil is light-hearted, joking, but intent on protecting the city, while Namor is a noble but destructive force of nature - and Lee and Wood get the maximum out of the humorous potential of Namor being a "fish out of water," as he struggles to cope with revolving doors and elevators, ultimately dealing with them in a straightforward (if destructive) manner.
When DD and Namor first fight, it's a relatively short battle, and as expected, Namor has little trouble dealing with the Man Without Fear. Namor surrenders to the authorities and awaits his day in court, when urgent news forces him to leave (as he proves the adage, "Iron bars do not a prison make").
Fearing Namor will hurt innocent bystanders, Daredevil again tries to stop him, and stages a battle that's amazing for its ingenuity and for the incredible courage and determination exhibited by DD.
It's easy to be a hero when you have the advantage, but as Daredevil shows here, it takes something extra to stand up against an opponent who much more powerful.
I won't spoil the ending, but up to this issue Daredevil had always been just another comic book character. After reading this adventure, I thought of him as a hero.
Grade: A+
5 comments:
This issue premiers what may be the best superhero costume in existence: the Wally Wood redesign of Daredevil.
The costume parts are separated by parts, but not by color: all monochrome red. The gloves and boots are short on the limbs, like a boxer, referencing Daredevil's father.
It's all so simple. Add in the minimal horns and DD logo, and it's just so sleek, elegant and extremely powerful.
Krod, I agree, the costume was like no other I'd ever seen - especially the combination of red and black, where the shadows shifted depending on how DD was standing. If it had just been a plain red costume (which happened under some of the artists who followed), it wouldn't have been nearly as dramatic. A classic Wood design.
well shoot... I just saw an Essential Daredevil Vol 1 at the used bookstore last weekend ($8.50), but passed on it... I had heard the early Daredevil issues were not so good. But I had no idea Wally Wood was one of the artists! If it is still there this weekend I might have to pick it up afterall... of course won't be able to enjoy the color of the new costume design... :)
Kyle, those stories are always better in color, but Wood had a great run of about a half-dozen issues. The other artists in those early issues (as I recall) include Bill Everett, Joe Orlando and John Romita - not too shabby!
LOVED this issue, and I remember buying it new on the newsstand and being blown away... wow
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