supeskenobi's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Daredevil: Born Again was released at quiet possibly the most seminal times in comic book history. Released during the same time as Batman: Year One, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (both by Frank Miller), Watchmen, V For Vendetta, Swamp Thing, Batman: The Killing Joke (Alan Moore), Born Again marries well into its family of contemporaries that ushered in the Modern Age of Comics; famously a more darker and grittier era (especially in the 80's and 90's).

Delving deeper into the psyche of Matt Murdock than that of his vigilante alter ego: Daredevil, Born Again deftly tells the story of a man driven to breaking point and beyond, and his fight back out from the dark. In Matt Murdock we see the indomitable human spirit, fighting against the pure evil that is Wilson Fisk. 

Because some of it was plundered for inspiration for the third season of 'Netflix's Daredevil' I must say it was hard not to hear the actors voices in my head when reading. But what TV Series isn't afforded is the insights into Matt's mind as he tries he best to untangle this web of conspiracy and lies that he has found himself mercilessly caught up in. This to me is where Miller's writing is at it's strongest. At it's weakest is with Karen Page, having turned her into a heroin addled, former porn star who sells Matt's secret for one more fix.

Whilst there are plenty of fantastic moments, action scenes and character beats in this story, it must be said that Frank Miller is not a writer that one should find oneself reading not without breaks between works, due to his somewhat needlessly pessimistic outlook on life and human society. Yet, that being said however, despite everything that Matt is put through in this story; he never once truly loses hope and sight of his goal. Vindication, rehabilitation and the downfall of the 'Kingpin' of New York.

Does this book deserve the praise it has been given over the past nearly forty years since publication? I believe it does. A great story of man overcoming the darkness within himself and the world.

4.75/5 

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