The Good
Lee Weeks' brand new limited-series staring the Man Without Fear steps out of the traditional superhero ring. You won't see Daredevil flipping across the rooftops as he battles the latest themed villain. You won't see someone like Stilt-Man screaming, "You haven't seen the last of me!" as he waddles off into the distance. Instead, it's far more grounded, dives super deep into Murdock's head, and puts a bright light on the every day people who are often overlooked as the heroes swing past them. And you know what? It's glorious.
Weeks is presenting a truly captivating and emotional down to Earth tale surrounding Daredevil. The pacing and use of captions is brilliant, keeping a tight grip on my focus the entire time. Weeks jumps between stories as he into devotes our affection to ordinary people Daredevil will encounter and does it extraordinarily well. There's an overwhelming sensation that the hero will save the day, but when it comes to a tale like this, you simply don't know when he could indeed fail and the consequences will be dire. It's that sense of uncertainty and realism which helps this issue stand out from the crowd.
Weeks also full immerses us in Daredevil's mind, painting the picture for everything the man with superhuman senses is experiencing. The writer goes into great detail helping us see what a difficult day in the life of Murdock is like, even when it's something as simple as laying down in a hospital bed and being overwhelming by the conversations taking place throughout the building.
Also helping this series stand out: the ridiculously good visuals by Weeks and colorist Lee Loughridge. The panels of an injured Daredevil laying in the snow or a blizzard covered New York is dark yet disturbingly gorgeous and detailed. But it's not just scenery where the art excels -- the duo delivers big time on the few moments of action. There's a great sense of motion behind the combat and they pack one helluva punch when they do manage to connect. Simply put, it's a stellar looking issue.
The Bad
Considering Daredevil's crazy history of encounters with superhuman foes and withstanding hits from characters who can lift multiple tons, it's a tad difficult to believe he'd be in such terrible condition after that strike. I imagine that's something certain fans won't be able to overlook and if so, it'll ruin the experience for them. But if you can appreciate the fact this is a much more grounded approach, I think you'll soak it in and be just fine with the development.
The Verdict
This issue was an unexpected delight for me. I had no idea what to expect going into Murdock's latest limited-series, but after reading it I can only describe it as beautiful, engrossing, and heartfelt. I already can't wait to get my hands on the second chapter. This more "realistic" approach may not be for everyone, but I highly recommend it for everyone else. Do yourself a favor and give this issue an honest chance.