REVIEW: ‘Daredevil’ Issue #1

Daredevil #1 is published by Marvel, written by Saladin Ahmed, art by Aaron Kuder, colors by Jesus Arburtov and letters by Clayton Cowles. Matt Murdock has returned from Hell, but as a priest with seemingly no memory of his past life. 

A new era is here, but there is a near seamless continuation from how Chip Zdarsky left the book. There’s a fresh angle to this story, allowing a sense of peace to precede a character that is usually steeped in rage and violence. The pacing is methodically slow, but the issue is also double-sized, so it has the time to build and expand. It isn’t long before Matt’s old life begins to seep into his new one. Ahmed does a brilliant job of taking steps within Daredevil #1. At first, Matt is exposed to things that Daredevil would regularly face. Street-level crime is pretty run-of-the-mill for this hero. But then something else enters the story that alters the book entirely. It is fascinating to see what the ramifications could be for Daredevil’s release from Hell, and a glimpse is shown that makes what might come next extremely daunting. It transforms the action comic into a twisted horror, and sets up a series that appears to treat consequences with the seriousness that they deserve. 

What Ahmed enforces beautifully is the duo of Daredevils that exist in Hell’s Kitchen now. The focus for much of the issue is Matt of course, due to questions of why and how he had returned. Many of those queries have not been answered yet, but the investigation has begun. Becoming a priest feels like a poetic stage for a reincarnated, amnesiac Matt Murdock. If he is trying to do good, then where better as a man who is not only delivering words of wisdom, but also actively raising orphaned children with nowhere else to go. That peaceful, content side to Murdock is wonderful. 

Ahmed delivers excellent narration, detailing both the biblical contemplation and the sensory analysis that feel like signature thought processes from Daredevil. But Elektra, the new Daredevil, is also highly present, still keeping watch over her changed husband. This is a woman who is accustomed to pain and loss, but this version seems more brutal than other times. It’s still early, so there aren’t many glimpses around how her reign as Daredevil is going, but the vulnerability around having to let Matt go is evident. The dialogue by the end of the issue becomes unrelenting and terrifying, pushing on his temptation.

The art is stunning. Kuder’s interpretation of Hell’s Kitchen recognises the inherent danger that is created around this area of New York City. It’s amazing to get new designs, or at least a new artist’s approach to the existing ones. They aren’t drastic, but Elektra in particular has had a makeover under Kuder’s pen. What works best is the thick lines around the eyes in the mask, as it allows for more expression. Like Checchetto as the lead artist in the previous run, Kuder is a master of body language. Elektra’s movement and poses are amazing. The second half of the comic brings some truly frightening changes, and some of the imagery is utterly traumatising but immensely creative. It’s delightfully sinister, and unsettling, but there can also be subtlety. Using heavier line weights and playing with shadows creates the suspicion that something isn’t right, and there are even multiple jump scares.

The colors too are interesting. The Hell’s Kitchen streets at nighttime aren’t just lit up by street lights, there are interludes that come out of background windows or signs that break up the patterns. Matt’s red hair, and later the costume of Elektra, stand out dramatically within the backdrop. There also seems to be more black in Elektra’s costume in the new design which actually fits really nicely with the scarlet. The radar sense has also been updated, with a much more vibrant and pulsating look. The letterer remains the same in the run, but the caption boxes have been replaced. The white text on a red background could be difficult to read for some.

Daredevil #1 is a unique first issue. Being the newest creator developing the next steps for a huge character like Daredevil is never easy, and Ahmed has simply blown up all the expectations and conventions. The sudden switch is mind-blowing and gives the book an immediate distinction from previous iterations. Both Daredevils show their individuality and unquantifiable connection, wholly unprepared for what’s coming. Daredevil and horror go hand in hand, and there is a spectacular artist capable of exploring that avenue.

Daredevil #1 is available where comics are sold.