Quesada returns to the craft that made him a name in the comic-book industry: pencilling. It's clear here why his linework made him a big fish in this particular little pond. His efforts here demonstrate what an amazing eye for perspective and dynamic detail Quesada has. Of course, that Quesada can draw is far from news, but what about the writing? The plot is entertaining but a little awkward, using convenience to set up a consistent theme throughout the story. The script is much stronger, bringing an edge and intensity that's in keeping with the title character and the crime drama that's about to unfold.
Matt Murdock is driven like no other man. Thanks to an accident that granted him superhuman sense, Murdock refuses to allow his blindness to hold him back, and he stalks the criminal element in New York as Daredevil. Bur Murdock is forever haunted by the memory of his father and the harsh lessons he taught him. Nestor Rodriguez is haunted by the memory of his father as well. For a time, Nestor followed in his dad's footsteps as a community leader and activist, but in the wake of his death, Nestor has become NeRo, media mogul. Someone else in New York has been transformed as well... into a killer.
This book is all about the art. Quesada grabs the reader right away with an impressive series of splash-page vignettes from the title character's past, all from his point of view. It's an interesting experiment in perspective. Quesada presents Daredevil as an almost inhuman, bulky figure. He reinforces the intimidating quality of the character by presenting him as power personified. His take on the hero reminds one of the style of Frank (The Dark Knight Strikes Again) Miller, a creator who carved out his reputation in the industry on the bones of DD characters. Quesada's depiction of Daredevil here also reminds me a bit of that of John (Amazing Spider-Man) Romita Jr., and one can see a Todd McFarlane influence at play here as well.
Quesada introduces a new character who just happens to have a lot in common with the protagonist. It's not an uncommon approach in super-hero plotting, but it's a huge coincidence that requires a lot of the reader's suspension of disbelief. Quesada tells us little about NeRo save for his background. We don't get a strong sense of him here, which is unfortunate. The scene with Murdock's new clients, though, is much stronger. These are well-realized characters, and I look forward to learning more about them.
The narration, presented in the title character's "voice," really shows how the clients are ordinary people who have wandered into Murdock's extraordinary world. The script overall is quite strong, bringing a tense and edgy quality to the story. Daredevil's reverence of his father shines through... as does his disdain for the man as well.
