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Daredevil (1964) #227-233
Daredevil: Born Again
In this larger-than-life theater, the forces of corruption and redemption have at one another with a Wagnerian intensity that rivals the very best this medium has ever produced. At stake - one man's immortal, indestructible soul.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
About the author
Frank Miller
1,312 books4,518 followersFrank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 548 reviews
August 26, 2017
This was good. Really good, even. Yet what’s frustrating about “Born Again” is how SO FREAKIN’ CLOSE it comes to greatness…but ultimately, in the final stretch, falls short.
The first half of the arc, I would argue, is undeniably great–Frank Miller was born to write Daredevil, and the set-up of the story–which centers around the Kingpin finally learning Daredevil’s secret identity, and proceeding to make Matt Murdock’s life a complete and utter living hell–is sublimely done, especially as it’s narrated in that great, hard boiled voice that Miller nailed to perfection in the late 80s/early 90s. Which is why, when the narrative starts to go off the rails (one word: Nuke) the aftertaste it leaves is ESPECIALLY bitter: it’s like watching a virtuoso chess player spend hours meticulously arrange his chess pieces for the perfect maneuver, only to toss the whole board right as the moment of attack arrives.
Am I glad I finally got around to reading “Born Again?” Definitely. Do I hope that Season 3 of the Netflix show pilfers certain elements of it? You bet. Do I think it’s one of the great Frank Miller stories, up there with the likes of 300, Sin City, and Ronin?
The first half of the arc, I would argue, is undeniably great–Frank Miller was born to write Daredevil, and the set-up of the story–which centers around the Kingpin finally learning Daredevil’s secret identity, and proceeding to make Matt Murdock’s life a complete and utter living hell–is sublimely done, especially as it’s narrated in that great, hard boiled voice that Miller nailed to perfection in the late 80s/early 90s. Which is why, when the narrative starts to go off the rails (one word: Nuke) the aftertaste it leaves is ESPECIALLY bitter: it’s like watching a virtuoso chess player spend hours meticulously arrange his chess pieces for the perfect maneuver, only to toss the whole board right as the moment of attack arrives.
Am I glad I finally got around to reading “Born Again?” Definitely. Do I hope that Season 3 of the Netflix show pilfers certain elements of it? You bet. Do I think it’s one of the great Frank Miller stories, up there with the likes of 300, Sin City, and Ronin?
November 28, 2021
8.6/10
Wilson Fisk can't defeat Daredevil but he might break down Matt Murdock.
Excellent storytelling.
A very dark tale by Miller who was on top of his game back then. The first couple of issues are absolutely brilliant, the quality drops a bit in the last couple of issues, but overall 'Born again' is a great story.
Wilson Fisk can't defeat Daredevil but he might break down Matt Murdock.
Excellent storytelling.
A very dark tale by Miller who was on top of his game back then. The first couple of issues are absolutely brilliant, the quality drops a bit in the last couple of issues, but overall 'Born again' is a great story.
April 5, 2023
[ESP/ENG]
Muchas veces se habla de clásicos o de novelas y cómics fundacionales. A veces con demasiada ligereza. En el caso de esta obra, desde luego que lo es, y por méritos propios. Es un clásico del noveno arte, y es una obra fundacional del personaje, ese abogado ciego que por las noches patea culos embutido en un traje rojo llamado Daredevil.
El personaje de Daredevil se diferencia de muchos de los otros héroes en un aspecto, y es que Matt es profundamente religioso, y eso es algo que hay que aprovechar, y Frank Miller aquí lo hace y de qué manera, desde el mismo título (renacido en su traducción, menos mal que dejaron el nombre original que suena mejor) y los títulos de los capítulos individuales. David Mazzucchelli por su parte aporta a esto mismo con muchas composiciones realmente vistosas, como esa Piedad o una escena en la que Matt está tumbado y parece un cristo crucificado.
La obra trata de la caída a los infiernos del diablo guardián de la Cocina del infierno y su posterior renacimiento. Cuando Kingpin se entera de la identidad civil de Daredevil urde un plan a largo plazo para causarle todo el sufrimiento que pueda antes de matarlo. Todo lo que va sucediendo hace que Matt vaya perdiendo la cabeza poco a poco hasta convertirse en poco más que un desquiciado. Ambos autores hacen un gran trabajo, Miller al guión demostrando que los superhéroes pueden ser algo más que una cosa para niños, y Mazzuccheli representando a un personaje en declive, en un barrio sucio y maltratado que solo puede tocar fondo.
El tomo en sí es una edición muy buena, con tapa dura y una portada fantástica (una composición en formato vidriera colorida que muestra cosas que sucederán dentro), que incluye los 5 números que conforman la saga propiamente dicha y dos números más que cierran el arco, que tienen un nivel un pelín más bajo pero que tienen apariciones sorpresa y se leen muy bien. Un obligatorio para todo fan del cómic y sobre todo para fans del cuernecitos.
---------------------
Many times we talk about classics or foundational novels and comics. Sometimes too lightly. In the case of this work, of course it is, and on its own merits. It is a classic of the ninth art, and it is a founding work of the character, that blind lawyer who kicks ass at night stuffed in a red suit called Daredevil.
The character of Daredevil differs from many of the other heroes in one aspect, and that is that Matt is deeply religious, and Frank Miller uses this here and in a wonderful way, from the very title to the titles of the individual chapters. For his part, David Mazzucchelli contributes to this with many really showy compositions, like that Pietà or a scene in which Matt is lying down and looks like a crucified Christ.
The work deals with the fall to hell of the devil guardian of Hell's Kitchen and his subsequent rebirth. When the Kingpin learns Daredevil's civilian identity, he hatches a long-term plan to cause him as much suffering as he can before killing him. Everything that is happening makes Matt lose his mind little by little until he becomes little more than a madman. Both authors do a great job, Miller writing the script showing that superheroes can be more than just a kid's thing, and Mazzuccheli portraying a character on the decline, in a dirty, rundown neighborhood that can only hit rock bottom.
The volume itself is a very good edition, with hard cover and a fantastic cover (a composition in a colorful stained glass format that shows things that will happen inside), which includes the 5 issues that make up the saga itself and two more issues that close the arch, which have a slightly lower level but have surprise appearances and reads very well. A must have (pun intended) for every comic fan and especially for fans of Daredevil.
Muchas veces se habla de clásicos o de novelas y cómics fundacionales. A veces con demasiada ligereza. En el caso de esta obra, desde luego que lo es, y por méritos propios. Es un clásico del noveno arte, y es una obra fundacional del personaje, ese abogado ciego que por las noches patea culos embutido en un traje rojo llamado Daredevil.
El personaje de Daredevil se diferencia de muchos de los otros héroes en un aspecto, y es que Matt es profundamente religioso, y eso es algo que hay que aprovechar, y Frank Miller aquí lo hace y de qué manera, desde el mismo título (renacido en su traducción, menos mal que dejaron el nombre original que suena mejor) y los títulos de los capítulos individuales. David Mazzucchelli por su parte aporta a esto mismo con muchas composiciones realmente vistosas, como esa Piedad o una escena en la que Matt está tumbado y parece un cristo crucificado.
La obra trata de la caída a los infiernos del diablo guardián de la Cocina del infierno y su posterior renacimiento. Cuando Kingpin se entera de la identidad civil de Daredevil urde un plan a largo plazo para causarle todo el sufrimiento que pueda antes de matarlo. Todo lo que va sucediendo hace que Matt vaya perdiendo la cabeza poco a poco hasta convertirse en poco más que un desquiciado. Ambos autores hacen un gran trabajo, Miller al guión demostrando que los superhéroes pueden ser algo más que una cosa para niños, y Mazzuccheli representando a un personaje en declive, en un barrio sucio y maltratado que solo puede tocar fondo.
El tomo en sí es una edición muy buena, con tapa dura y una portada fantástica (una composición en formato vidriera colorida que muestra cosas que sucederán dentro), que incluye los 5 números que conforman la saga propiamente dicha y dos números más que cierran el arco, que tienen un nivel un pelín más bajo pero que tienen apariciones sorpresa y se leen muy bien. Un obligatorio para todo fan del cómic y sobre todo para fans del cuernecitos.
---------------------
Many times we talk about classics or foundational novels and comics. Sometimes too lightly. In the case of this work, of course it is, and on its own merits. It is a classic of the ninth art, and it is a founding work of the character, that blind lawyer who kicks ass at night stuffed in a red suit called Daredevil.
The character of Daredevil differs from many of the other heroes in one aspect, and that is that Matt is deeply religious, and Frank Miller uses this here and in a wonderful way, from the very title to the titles of the individual chapters. For his part, David Mazzucchelli contributes to this with many really showy compositions, like that Pietà or a scene in which Matt is lying down and looks like a crucified Christ.
The work deals with the fall to hell of the devil guardian of Hell's Kitchen and his subsequent rebirth. When the Kingpin learns Daredevil's civilian identity, he hatches a long-term plan to cause him as much suffering as he can before killing him. Everything that is happening makes Matt lose his mind little by little until he becomes little more than a madman. Both authors do a great job, Miller writing the script showing that superheroes can be more than just a kid's thing, and Mazzuccheli portraying a character on the decline, in a dirty, rundown neighborhood that can only hit rock bottom.
The volume itself is a very good edition, with hard cover and a fantastic cover (a composition in a colorful stained glass format that shows things that will happen inside), which includes the 5 issues that make up the saga itself and two more issues that close the arch, which have a slightly lower level but have surprise appearances and reads very well. A must have (pun intended) for every comic fan and especially for fans of Daredevil.
October 30, 2022
9/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“La cocina del infierno es una sinfonía compuesta de músculos doloridos y estómagos rugientes... de pies de niños que caminan sobre cristales rotos... y de una risa desesperanzada que reverbera por todo un solar vacío.”
“Yo nací... y renací en la cocina del infierno.”
Una joya atemporal gracias al guión de Frank Miller. La extraordinaria capacidad narrativa de Miller, con influencias de género negro y una gran carga de simbolismo cristiano, dejan un guión más propio de gente de a pie que de superheroes.
Dibujo "ochentero" de David Mazzuccheli, con la paleta de colores de la época, destilando aire de clásico al leerlo en la actualidad. Aportando, para mi gusto, más encanto y valor a esta obra.
¡Un clásico imprescindible!
“La cocina del infierno es una sinfonía compuesta de músculos doloridos y estómagos rugientes... de pies de niños que caminan sobre cristales rotos... y de una risa desesperanzada que reverbera por todo un solar vacío.”
“Yo nací... y renací en la cocina del infierno.”
Una joya atemporal gracias al guión de Frank Miller. La extraordinaria capacidad narrativa de Miller, con influencias de género negro y una gran carga de simbolismo cristiano, dejan un guión más propio de gente de a pie que de superheroes.
Dibujo "ochentero" de David Mazzuccheli, con la paleta de colores de la época, destilando aire de clásico al leerlo en la actualidad. Aportando, para mi gusto, más encanto y valor a esta obra.
¡Un clásico imprescindible!
April 29, 2022
I can remember in 1980 when Frank Miller took over Daredevil. I was twelve years old and I was stunned by the changes that he implemented. Suddenly one of my favorite costumed crime-fighters had moved into the world of adult crime fiction - or so it seemed to me at the time. Back in 1980 we weren't using the term "re-boot" for such an action, but that's exactly what Miller did. Throughout the decade other characters would undergo the same treatment by Miller and others, but Daredevil was one of the first.
In 1986 when the Born Again storyline took place I was in my senior year of high-school and hadn't picked up a comic-book in years. However the following year I was in college and discovered that comics were changing. That was a great time for the medium. The Watchmen, The Darknight Returns and others were in print and it was cool to read "graphic novels". I picked up the compilation of the Born Again storyline in 1988. I was impressed - very impressed. Little did I know that this was going to establish the framework for the character for the next several decades.
This is still a very good story. It's held up well and is deserving of its status as a seminal work in comics. The atmosphere and attitude of Miller's Daredevil can be experienced in the Netflix Daredevil series. If you haven't read this one yet I suggest you do so. It's well done.
In 1986 when the Born Again storyline took place I was in my senior year of high-school and hadn't picked up a comic-book in years. However the following year I was in college and discovered that comics were changing. That was a great time for the medium. The Watchmen, The Darknight Returns and others were in print and it was cool to read "graphic novels". I picked up the compilation of the Born Again storyline in 1988. I was impressed - very impressed. Little did I know that this was going to establish the framework for the character for the next several decades.
This is still a very good story. It's held up well and is deserving of its status as a seminal work in comics. The atmosphere and attitude of Miller's Daredevil can be experienced in the Netflix Daredevil series. If you haven't read this one yet I suggest you do so. It's well done.
September 18, 2017
The Best Daredevil story arc of them all!
I remember reading these issues years ago when they were first published and it felt so good to re-read them in this most excellent collection. Miller's writing is fantastic. Matt Murdock goes thru hell and then redemption. I need to read this again in a few years. I never get tired of this story.
I remember reading these issues years ago when they were first published and it felt so good to re-read them in this most excellent collection. Miller's writing is fantastic. Matt Murdock goes thru hell and then redemption. I need to read this again in a few years. I never get tired of this story.
April 3, 2016
Trang reviewing a comic ?! ITS BEEN LIKE YEARS LOL Of course it had to beDaredevil. Not any ordinary volumes. This graphic novel is a must for any Daredevil Fans. Although, it picks up wayy wayy after the incidents from Netflix's show so if you don't want to get spoiled. Do not read this graphic novel hahaha. A marvelous classic and having plunged into the Marvel Universe there are familiar faces that came back in this volume and different details referencing to other series from Marvel. The action was amazing. But what STOOD UP FOR ME WAS THE WRITING. So beautiful !
Trang Tran- Book Blogger
http://bookidote.wordpress.com
April 25, 2020
Τον Ιούλιο του 2017 διάβασα και απόλαυσα το φοβερό "Daredevil: Ο ατρόμητος", το οποίο αποτέλεσε και την πρώτη μου επαφή με αυτόν τον εξαιρετικά συναρπαστικό σούπερ ήρωα. Ε, λοιπόν, τώρα δηλώνω ακόμα παραπάνω ενθουσιασμένος, μιας και το "Αναγέννηση" μου άρεσε ένα κλικ περισσότερο. Θα έλεγα ότι είναι από τα καλύτερα κόμικς της Marvel που είχα την τύχη να διαβάσω μέχρι σήμερα, αλλά και γενικά από τα καλύτερα με σούπερ ήρωες ανεξαρτήτου εκδοτικής εταιρείας (και, εντάξει, μπορεί να μην έχω διαβάσει εκατοντάδες τόμους, αλλά έχω διαβάσει κάποια πολύ κλασικά κομμάτια). Από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα με κράτησε δέσμιό του και δεν ένιωσα ότι διάβαζα ένα ακόμα υπερηρωικό κόμικ με απλοϊκή πλοκή και ρηχούς χαρακτήρες, αλλά ένα καλογραμμένο μυθιστόρημα σε μορφή κόμικ, με ουσία και βάθος σε χαρακτήρες και συναισθήματα. Το σενάριο είναι πολύ ενδιαφέρον και καλογραμμένο, με όλες τις απαραίτητες δόσεις δράσης, βίας και αγωνίας, η γραφή στους διαλόγους και τις σκέψεις των χαρακτήρων γλαφυρή και λογοτεχνική, ενώ και το σχέδιο απογειώνει την όλη ιστορία, με τις ωραίες φιγούρες, τις... χορογραφίες των σκηνών δράσης, τα φοβερά κινηματογραφικά πλάνα και τα υπέροχα χρώματα. Βέβαια, οφείλω να παραδεχτώ ότι οι τελευταίες σελίδες, με όλο τον χαμό και τις μπλοκμπάστερ σκηνές καταστροφής, είναι μάλλον υποδεέστερες αυτών που προηγήθηκαν, όμως σε καμία περίπτωση δεν μου χάλασαν την αναγνωστική απόλαυση. Άλλωστε, τέτοιες σκηνές υπερβολής θα έλεγε κανείς ότι είναι άκρως απαραίτητες σε μια ιστορία με σούπερ ήρωες, και αν μη τι άλλο οι συγκεκριμένες είναι ωραία σχεδιασμένες και αρκετά ουσιώδεις. Ναι, είναι ένα κόμικ που με ενθουσίασε και σίγουρα θα το πρότεινα στους λάτρεις του είδους.
December 29, 2021
Fue entretenido, Daredevil es uno de mis personajes favs de Marvel. Peeero prefiero la serie de Netflix because 🧚🏻Charlie Cox🧚🏻
August 31, 2020
When the Kingpin learns about the secret identity of the Man Without Fear, he sets up some elaborate plans to destroy the life of the Blind Devil.
The writing is gritty and hard-boiled, that grips the readers' interest. Every character is written perfectly, even the supporting ones. The Kingpin is shown as a ruthless gangster and is the perfect villain for Daredevil. Although he is super strong, he is just as big of a criminal mastermind. I loved how he breaks down the hero, not physically, but psychologically (and financially).
Frank Miller proves yet again, why he's a great Daredevil writer. Accompanied by beautiful artwork from David Mazzucchelli, Daredevil: Born Again is an essential Daredevil story and a must read for any fans of the character.
The writing is gritty and hard-boiled, that grips the readers' interest. Every character is written perfectly, even the supporting ones. The Kingpin is shown as a ruthless gangster and is the perfect villain for Daredevil. Although he is super strong, he is just as big of a criminal mastermind. I loved how he breaks down the hero, not physically, but psychologically (and financially).
Frank Miller proves yet again, why he's a great Daredevil writer. Accompanied by beautiful artwork from David Mazzucchelli, Daredevil: Born Again is an essential Daredevil story and a must read for any fans of the character.
September 22, 2008
As soon as I finished reading Born Again, I knew that I had finished a very special story. Not only my favorite comic book story (and I've read a few!) this seven issue run, in which the Kingpin of Crime discovers that his archenemy Daredevil is in fact the lawyer Matt Murdock, is a cantidate for my favorite work of fiction in any medium. It offers romance-- not two beautiful people falling in love because it makes a good panel to close the story with, but a ruined, homeless ex-lawyer who is reunited with his former secretary and lover, now reduced to selling pieces of her soul on a regular basis for heroin. There is a drama of redemption-- a great man who has fallen, and fights against overwhelming odds to rise again. There is action as well, and what action. Miller (who can write pain like no one else in the industry) and Mazzuchelli (among the most realistic of all comic book artists) give us fight scenes that show Daredevil not as an unbeatable force for good who destroys five bad guys in a few panels of story, but as a man who who can bleed, who could die, and who feels (and fights for) a range of emotions from anger to protectiveness to self preservation.
Perhaps the element of the story which stands next to its redemptive quality as most notable is the villain. Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, makes Matt Murdock's life a living hell in these issues. Instead of using the typical comic book villian method of putting on a costume and using super weapons or powers to attack the hero or his loved ones, Fisk instead uses his political leverage to destroy Murdock professionally and financially. As a villain who holds immense power in New York City and prefers to use that power rather than physcial force, though he is capable beating Daredevil hand to hand, Miller's take on the Kingpin makes him a cantidate for the greatest villain of all time.
Perhaps the element of the story which stands next to its redemptive quality as most notable is the villain. Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, makes Matt Murdock's life a living hell in these issues. Instead of using the typical comic book villian method of putting on a costume and using super weapons or powers to attack the hero or his loved ones, Fisk instead uses his political leverage to destroy Murdock professionally and financially. As a villain who holds immense power in New York City and prefers to use that power rather than physcial force, though he is capable beating Daredevil hand to hand, Miller's take on the Kingpin makes him a cantidate for the greatest villain of all time.
February 12, 2022
Chic writing, complemented by blocky art. Cheesy for pages on end, riddled with plot conveniences, but only quality cheese and quality conveniences are applied. Provides popcorn entertainment while asking the bigger questions. Marvel's Daredevil show is, in my opinion, the best thing they've ever put out. So I wanted to check out comics on the Man Without Fear and I wasn't disappointed. Except maybe a little by ending, where things get a little too American.
February 26, 2017
I just realized this is my only 5 star review for a superhero book.
I haven't read it in a long time, but I do recall loving it and reading it more than once. I love, love, love Mazzucchelli. I think he does a good job with formalist style with rigid perspective and consistency between frames. But he combines that with a loose line that allows the characters to come alive. Or something like that. He's certainly one of my favourite cartoonists, which was solidified in his future work like Rubber Blankets and Asterios Polyp.
I read the book early in my comicbook reading, and it was probably the first 'classic' I read. I read it immediately after reading Miller's original run on Daredevil. Some of the criticism I've read states that the characters are one dimensional. So, being apologetic here, I think reading the original run and a few of the preceding issues to this story arc fleshes out the characters. This isn't really a defense of the book per se, but I think it needs to be acknowledged that this book is ripped out of an ongoing comic book series (which is an element that plagues many superhero "graphic novels").
I haven't read it in a long time, but I do recall loving it and reading it more than once. I love, love, love Mazzucchelli. I think he does a good job with formalist style with rigid perspective and consistency between frames. But he combines that with a loose line that allows the characters to come alive. Or something like that. He's certainly one of my favourite cartoonists, which was solidified in his future work like Rubber Blankets and Asterios Polyp.
I read the book early in my comicbook reading, and it was probably the first 'classic' I read. I read it immediately after reading Miller's original run on Daredevil. Some of the criticism I've read states that the characters are one dimensional. So, being apologetic here, I think reading the original run and a few of the preceding issues to this story arc fleshes out the characters. This isn't really a defense of the book per se, but I think it needs to be acknowledged that this book is ripped out of an ongoing comic book series (which is an element that plagues many superhero "graphic novels").
January 29, 2021
La saga definitiva de Daredevil, el relato del principio y del fin de su carrera como vigilante. Solo por el arte del gran, enorme Mazzuchelli ya amerita su lectura. Por ahora le dejo 4 estrellas porque no me cerraron algunas partes de la trama y sobre todo el final, pero es probable que cuando lo relea cambie el puntaje. En resumen, otro indispensable de nuestro querido Miller. Es el equivalente para Daredevil de "El regreso del caballero oscuro" de Batman
November 9, 2022
Hacía años que no lo releía y me sigue pareciendo maravilloso. Un gran guión (Karen, siempre te he odiado) y un buen dibujo, con páginas para enmarcar.
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December 21, 2021"A man without hope is a man without fear."
I pick on Frank Miller a lot, mainly because people give him the lion's share of credit for revitalizing Batman for the modern age with titles like Batman: Year One (which I do recommend by the way) and The Dark Knight Returns despite the fact that guys like O'Neil and Adams were already putting out work that brought the Caped Crusader back to his gothic noir roots. But the character that Miller really revitalized was the character of Daredevil, and for that he deserves all of the credit for giving this formerly C-note Marvel hero new life.
He took a rather generic swashbuckler and made him into Marvel's version of Batman. Though Miller made Daredevil grungier, more dangerous, and more sexy with his hard boiled noir take on the character. While Frank has faltered hard over the years, you can count on him to be on tip top shape when writing Daredevil, and I'd say that Born Again is the apotheosis of his storied career with the Man With No Fear.
I think it's fair to say that Born Again, along with Year One, is one of Frank's most polished stories. It has none of the more goofy aspects that plague some of his other works, such as blocky, ugly art work, ridiculous characters, and an obsession with tough guys and prostitutes. I suppose that he's like Morrison where he writes extremely well when he has a good editor to rein him in. Much like his contemporary Alan Moore, Miller, at his best, finds a way to make this world of superheroes and gods walking among us feel like a real and 'lived in' universe. The character dynamics and themes of death and rebirth still hold true all of these years later, and Miller manages to find a way to weave these themes into the story without feeling too preachy or heavy-handed.
The biggest strength of this book, and the thing that Frank Miller understands so keenly about the character of Matt Murdock is that he is someone who will never give up, despite all of the things you could throw at him. It's his perseverance that keeps him from completely breaking under the constant pressure that's thrown his way. Matt Murdock's life and existence is completely and ruthlessly stripped from him as the story moves along, yet Murdock continues to push on. It is this where the Kingpin makes his fatal mistake: once you've taken everything from a man, you will have made him into someone without anything to lose.
Much like Year One, Miller paces Born Again at an almost pitch perfect speed. He does have his habit of repetition littered through the story, but it isn't bothersome as it is in some of his other stories. Frank understands Daredevil well, and he has a keen mind for what makes Daredevil tick. It's this understanding that makes his Daredevil stories, including this one, so appealing. In his own words:
"How many superheroes are known for what they can’t do? I mean Superman can fly, lift a building and all that, Batman’s ridiculously smart and he’s got all the technology in the world, and Spider-Man can spin webs and swing across buildings. Daredevil, he’s blind. He can’t see. That’s his distinguishing feature."
The other great feature in this comic is David Mazzucchelli's stunning artwork, it retains that cartoon-like, yet grounded style that was so prevalent in Year One. Yet the artwork looks cleaner, crisp, and filled with personality. It takes a different approach from the gothic noir tones of Batman: Year One. He makes New York into a far grungier, dirtier place, yet he also gives it life and personality. Mazzucchelli's New York is a place brimming with character, while also being grimy and disgusting as well. Mazzucchelli might have outdone himself with this story.
It is not perfect though, as no story ever is. The climax of the story is considerably overblown in complete contrast to the more personal tone that the series takes. It sadly isn't as grounded as the brilliant climax in Miller and Mazzucchelli's other collaboration in Year One. The final battle is rather over the top and has a deranged nutcase who's obsessed with America trying to kill Matthew Murdock and his love interest Karen Page. But luckily it is saved by a fittingly quiet ending that serves the narrative well. With that being said, the climax is the only reason that this story isn't a 5 star read for me.
Despite its faults and the fact that I hold Year One to still be superior, Born Again proves to be one of Miller's, alongside the Man Without Fear's finest outings.
Happy Darecember everyone!
I pick on Frank Miller a lot, mainly because people give him the lion's share of credit for revitalizing Batman for the modern age with titles like Batman: Year One (which I do recommend by the way) and The Dark Knight Returns despite the fact that guys like O'Neil and Adams were already putting out work that brought the Caped Crusader back to his gothic noir roots. But the character that Miller really revitalized was the character of Daredevil, and for that he deserves all of the credit for giving this formerly C-note Marvel hero new life.
He took a rather generic swashbuckler and made him into Marvel's version of Batman. Though Miller made Daredevil grungier, more dangerous, and more sexy with his hard boiled noir take on the character. While Frank has faltered hard over the years, you can count on him to be on tip top shape when writing Daredevil, and I'd say that Born Again is the apotheosis of his storied career with the Man With No Fear.
I think it's fair to say that Born Again, along with Year One, is one of Frank's most polished stories. It has none of the more goofy aspects that plague some of his other works, such as blocky, ugly art work, ridiculous characters, and an obsession with tough guys and prostitutes. I suppose that he's like Morrison where he writes extremely well when he has a good editor to rein him in. Much like his contemporary Alan Moore, Miller, at his best, finds a way to make this world of superheroes and gods walking among us feel like a real and 'lived in' universe. The character dynamics and themes of death and rebirth still hold true all of these years later, and Miller manages to find a way to weave these themes into the story without feeling too preachy or heavy-handed.
The biggest strength of this book, and the thing that Frank Miller understands so keenly about the character of Matt Murdock is that he is someone who will never give up, despite all of the things you could throw at him. It's his perseverance that keeps him from completely breaking under the constant pressure that's thrown his way. Matt Murdock's life and existence is completely and ruthlessly stripped from him as the story moves along, yet Murdock continues to push on. It is this where the Kingpin makes his fatal mistake: once you've taken everything from a man, you will have made him into someone without anything to lose.
Much like Year One, Miller paces Born Again at an almost pitch perfect speed. He does have his habit of repetition littered through the story, but it isn't bothersome as it is in some of his other stories. Frank understands Daredevil well, and he has a keen mind for what makes Daredevil tick. It's this understanding that makes his Daredevil stories, including this one, so appealing. In his own words:
"How many superheroes are known for what they can’t do? I mean Superman can fly, lift a building and all that, Batman’s ridiculously smart and he’s got all the technology in the world, and Spider-Man can spin webs and swing across buildings. Daredevil, he’s blind. He can’t see. That’s his distinguishing feature."
The other great feature in this comic is David Mazzucchelli's stunning artwork, it retains that cartoon-like, yet grounded style that was so prevalent in Year One. Yet the artwork looks cleaner, crisp, and filled with personality. It takes a different approach from the gothic noir tones of Batman: Year One. He makes New York into a far grungier, dirtier place, yet he also gives it life and personality. Mazzucchelli's New York is a place brimming with character, while also being grimy and disgusting as well. Mazzucchelli might have outdone himself with this story.
It is not perfect though, as no story ever is. The climax of the story is considerably overblown in complete contrast to the more personal tone that the series takes. It sadly isn't as grounded as the brilliant climax in Miller and Mazzucchelli's other collaboration in Year One. The final battle is rather over the top and has a deranged nutcase who's obsessed with America trying to kill Matthew Murdock and his love interest Karen Page. But luckily it is saved by a fittingly quiet ending that serves the narrative well. With that being said, the climax is the only reason that this story isn't a 5 star read for me.
Despite its faults and the fact that I hold Year One to still be superior, Born Again proves to be one of Miller's, alongside the Man Without Fear's finest outings.
Happy Darecember everyone!
February 3, 2021
Daredevil: Born Again es un arco argumental del hombre sin miedo editado a mediados de los 80 con guión de Frank Miller y dibujo de David Mazzuchelli. Está considerada como la mejor historia de Daredevil y una de las mejores historias publicadas por marvel, un clásico que a día de hoy mantiene su valor y se lee igual de agusto que hace 30 años. Born again es una historia de venganza, renacimiento y redención, con una estructura imitada mil veces en cómics posteriores, y que el propio Miller ha vuelto a emplear en sus cómics de batman, en lobezno: honor, en sin city...
La historia comienza con Karen Paige, la antigua novia de Matt Murdock, que viajó a los angeles para iniciar una carrera cinematográfica, pero todo terminó torciéndose y en la actualidad es una drogadicta... Karen desvela que Daredevil es en realidad Matt Murdock para conseguir una dosis, y esa noticia va circulando por los bajos fondos hasta llegar a los oídos de Kingpin.
Tras estos sucesos kingpin se toma 6 meses para preparar una encerrona a Matt Murdock, Kingpin conspira usando todos sus contactos empresariales y en el mundo del hampa para concentrar en unos días una serie de circunstancias que dejarán a Matt Murdock investigado por corrupción y evasión de impuestos, sin licencia para ejercer la abogacía e incluso con la reputación de su alter-ego en entredicho y finalmente en la calle, sin hogar ni dinero. todas estas situaciones hacen que toque fondo .
Matt Murdock, después de pasar un infierno tendrá que renacer y buscar la forma de devolverle la jugada a Kingpin, que está dispuesto a cualquier cosa con tal de acabar con Murdock.
Estructuralmente esta historia tiene dos partes bien diferenciadas, la caída en desgracia de Murdock, y tras su renacimiento, su resurgir y venganza, pero la grandeza de esta historia no reside en su estructura, ni siquiera en su argumento, sino en la forma de contarla... Miller sabe mezclar las escenas de sufrimiento de Murdock, con el nacimiento de la relación de Foggy y Glori, la caída en desgracia de uno con la felicidad del otro, mientras nos cuenta cómo Kingpin va moviendo sus hilos (y demostrando ser uno de los grandes villanos de los cómics Marvel), y los personajes secundarios (Manolis, Urich) van viviendo su parte de la historia con una gran intensidad. Todo desemboca en los dos últimos números en un gran despliegue de acción y violencia, que precipita la historia hasta un final que no es que sea sorprendente, pero si está muy bien hilado.
Hablando del dibujo David Mazzuchelli nos deja una gran cantidad de viñetas para enmarcar, quizás no sea el ilustrador más virtuoso ni el mejor narrador de escenas de acción, pero si sabe imprimir el aura y el significado necesario en cada escena, dejándonos decenas de imágenes icónicas, representaciones de actitudes, sentimientos... como un buen fotógrafo sabe captar el momento adecuado en cada escena y nos sorprende página tras página con viñetas que quedarán impresas en nuestras mentes.
En definitiva, un cómic que no debe faltar en cualquier colección de superhéroes, que no por ser de hace 30 años pierde su significado y que, aun siendo una historia dura, deja lugar para la esperanza.
La historia comienza con Karen Paige, la antigua novia de Matt Murdock, que viajó a los angeles para iniciar una carrera cinematográfica, pero todo terminó torciéndose y en la actualidad es una drogadicta... Karen desvela que Daredevil es en realidad Matt Murdock para conseguir una dosis, y esa noticia va circulando por los bajos fondos hasta llegar a los oídos de Kingpin.
Tras estos sucesos kingpin se toma 6 meses para preparar una encerrona a Matt Murdock, Kingpin conspira usando todos sus contactos empresariales y en el mundo del hampa para concentrar en unos días una serie de circunstancias que dejarán a Matt Murdock investigado por corrupción y evasión de impuestos, sin licencia para ejercer la abogacía e incluso con la reputación de su alter-ego en entredicho y finalmente en la calle, sin hogar ni dinero. todas estas situaciones hacen que toque fondo .
Matt Murdock, después de pasar un infierno tendrá que renacer y buscar la forma de devolverle la jugada a Kingpin, que está dispuesto a cualquier cosa con tal de acabar con Murdock.
And I... I have shown him... that a man without hope.... ... is a man without fear
Estructuralmente esta historia tiene dos partes bien diferenciadas, la caída en desgracia de Murdock, y tras su renacimiento, su resurgir y venganza, pero la grandeza de esta historia no reside en su estructura, ni siquiera en su argumento, sino en la forma de contarla... Miller sabe mezclar las escenas de sufrimiento de Murdock, con el nacimiento de la relación de Foggy y Glori, la caída en desgracia de uno con la felicidad del otro, mientras nos cuenta cómo Kingpin va moviendo sus hilos (y demostrando ser uno de los grandes villanos de los cómics Marvel), y los personajes secundarios (Manolis, Urich) van viviendo su parte de la historia con una gran intensidad. Todo desemboca en los dos últimos números en un gran despliegue de acción y violencia, que precipita la historia hasta un final que no es que sea sorprendente, pero si está muy bien hilado.
Hablando del dibujo David Mazzuchelli nos deja una gran cantidad de viñetas para enmarcar, quizás no sea el ilustrador más virtuoso ni el mejor narrador de escenas de acción, pero si sabe imprimir el aura y el significado necesario en cada escena, dejándonos decenas de imágenes icónicas, representaciones de actitudes, sentimientos... como un buen fotógrafo sabe captar el momento adecuado en cada escena y nos sorprende página tras página con viñetas que quedarán impresas en nuestras mentes.
En definitiva, un cómic que no debe faltar en cualquier colección de superhéroes, que no por ser de hace 30 años pierde su significado y que, aun siendo una historia dura, deja lugar para la esperanza.
May 26, 2021
No te pierdas mi reseña en Youtube!:
https://youtu.be/F9vPROHbITI
https://youtu.be/F9vPROHbITI
Shelved as 'gave-up-on'
December 9, 2015My Brief Bookshelf Overview: feels-realistic-or-credible, gave-up-before-finishing, grim, mature, steady-storytelling-style, unrealized-potential
Other Useful Reviews: Mike's review
Additional Notes: This collection contains Daredevil issues #226-233.
Probable Rating (if I had finished this) : {3/5 stars}
When drug addict Karen Page – also a former lover of Matt's – divulges Daredevil's secret identity to the Kingpin in exchange for a fix, Matt Murdock's whole life is turned upside down, and he starts to lose his grip on reality. Although somewhat rushed, I found the premise to be very gripping and dark for an '80s comic. Although I was nearly hooked from the start, but things quickly started to lose some steam over time. But perhaps most of all, I just couldn't buy Matt's insanity; it didn't feel like a natural progression. I think I got the frustration and rage driving some of his actions, but when he started becoming suspicious of his own friends, I felt that was pushing things a little too far, too soon. Perhaps if it took two issues (rather than one) for Kingpin to lay his trap, and to show more closely Matt's reactions to his changing circumstances, it would have been more believable for me. Plus, the overly-descriptive narrations and the less-interesting side-stories helped to kill the vibe, and I eventually lost patience waiting to find out how things were resolved. And that's a shame, since – after skimming through the rest of the volume – it really looks like things pick up quite a bit by issue #231.
Other Useful Reviews: Mike's review
Additional Notes: This collection contains Daredevil issues #226-233.
Probable Rating (if I had finished this) : {3/5 stars}
When drug addict Karen Page – also a former lover of Matt's – divulges Daredevil's secret identity to the Kingpin in exchange for a fix, Matt Murdock's whole life is turned upside down, and he starts to lose his grip on reality. Although somewhat rushed, I found the premise to be very gripping and dark for an '80s comic. Although I was nearly hooked from the start, but things quickly started to lose some steam over time. But perhaps most of all, I just couldn't buy Matt's insanity; it didn't feel like a natural progression. I think I got the frustration and rage driving some of his actions, but when he started becoming suspicious of his own friends, I felt that was pushing things a little too far, too soon. Perhaps if it took two issues (rather than one) for Kingpin to lay his trap, and to show more closely Matt's reactions to his changing circumstances, it would have been more believable for me. Plus, the overly-descriptive narrations and the less-interesting side-stories helped to kill the vibe, and I eventually lost patience waiting to find out how things were resolved. And that's a shame, since – after skimming through the rest of the volume – it really looks like things pick up quite a bit by issue #231.
July 28, 2008
When I was younger I remember liking this story and then getting a little bored with it. Daredevil at the time was my favorite comic book, and for seven issues, or seven months the story took a break so that Daredevil's life could be utterly destoryed. I got a little bored and wanted the good stuff to come back, but that was only because seven months is a long time when you're twelve years old (or however old I was).
Re-reading this now is great. Possibly darker than Miller's Batman work that he would soon do, this is a story that doesn't seem in place anywhere in the Marvel universe at the time. My only complaint would be the returning of outside superheros towards the end of the story, Captain America and Iron man appearing doesn't fit into the feeling of story, and cheapens the gritty realism that had been so carefully laid out for five issues before their arrival.
Re-reading this now is great. Possibly darker than Miller's Batman work that he would soon do, this is a story that doesn't seem in place anywhere in the Marvel universe at the time. My only complaint would be the returning of outside superheros towards the end of the story, Captain America and Iron man appearing doesn't fit into the feeling of story, and cheapens the gritty realism that had been so carefully laid out for five issues before their arrival.
July 25, 2022
'Daredevil: Born Again' (Daredevil #226 to #233) by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli.
Rating: 5/5.
Review:
This was my first foray into the Daredevil comics and, oh boy, it was worth it. This is, perhaps, one of the best comic runs that I have read so far.
We encounter Matt Murdock who has hit a rock bottom. A Daredevil who has grown weary of his heroics. A Matt Murdock, who has lost everything, is wary of his friends and close associates. This is the story of his downfall and his eventual rebirth.
The writing, and even the art, is so brilliant that it portrays Matt Murdock's depression as his life crumbles down around him. Besides Matt Murdock, the book manages to brilliantly portray the metaphoric rebirth of Karen Page and Ben Urich. The budding relationship between Foggy and Glorianna was a much-needed light side to the predominantly dark themes of this comic arc.
The themes of spiritual death, rebirth, redemption, forgiveness, faith, and love are heavily explored in these comics. While Christian imagery is central to the storyline, the ruminations on forgiveness, healing, love, and eventual redemption can resonate with almost everyone regardless of personal faith.
Mazzucchelli's art adds more depth to the story. The covers for the middle five books (of the 8 book arc) have religious symbolism as they gradually depict Matt's descent (slowly curling into a fetal position), followed by his crucifixion, and then his eventual rebirth.
The last two books end up serving as an epic conclusion to an amazing comic run. The Thor and Iron Man cameos, as well as an expanded role of Captain America, are the cherry on the cake. But these guest appearances don't shift the focus away from Daredevil. This is Matt Murdock's story from the start to finish.
An amazing comic run that has a satisfying ending. I would recommend every Daredevil fan to read this arc at least once.
"And I - I have shown him... that a man without hope... is a man without fear."
Rating: 5/5.
Review:
This was my first foray into the Daredevil comics and, oh boy, it was worth it. This is, perhaps, one of the best comic runs that I have read so far.
We encounter Matt Murdock who has hit a rock bottom. A Daredevil who has grown weary of his heroics. A Matt Murdock, who has lost everything, is wary of his friends and close associates. This is the story of his downfall and his eventual rebirth.
The writing, and even the art, is so brilliant that it portrays Matt Murdock's depression as his life crumbles down around him. Besides Matt Murdock, the book manages to brilliantly portray the metaphoric rebirth of Karen Page and Ben Urich. The budding relationship between Foggy and Glorianna was a much-needed light side to the predominantly dark themes of this comic arc.
The themes of spiritual death, rebirth, redemption, forgiveness, faith, and love are heavily explored in these comics. While Christian imagery is central to the storyline, the ruminations on forgiveness, healing, love, and eventual redemption can resonate with almost everyone regardless of personal faith.
Mazzucchelli's art adds more depth to the story. The covers for the middle five books (of the 8 book arc) have religious symbolism as they gradually depict Matt's descent (slowly curling into a fetal position), followed by his crucifixion, and then his eventual rebirth.
The last two books end up serving as an epic conclusion to an amazing comic run. The Thor and Iron Man cameos, as well as an expanded role of Captain America, are the cherry on the cake. But these guest appearances don't shift the focus away from Daredevil. This is Matt Murdock's story from the start to finish.
An amazing comic run that has a satisfying ending. I would recommend every Daredevil fan to read this arc at least once.
Read
May 15, 2022
paused @59% // final review to come
Daredevil ... he rolls the name across the bruise that is his mind. Comforting, it isn’t. But it is real.
Matt Murdock is one of my favourite superheroes for sure. As a huge fan of the show, but not having grown up with Daredevil, I didn’t quite know where to start with the comic books. Charlie Cox mentioned this one in an interview about the third season of the show, so I figured I’d dive straight in to see how 1987 Daredevil compares to 2018 Daredevil.
Also, I’m 100% here for Matt/Karen. I love them. Not quite as much as I love Matt and Elektra, but it’s almost tied. I mean, who couldn’t ship these two?
CUTIE PIES, HONESTLY.
Firstly, the artwork is really exquisite in this story. I really love how art can add on to a story and the art in this is gritty, noir, grunge. Which is fitting, because the story starts from a dark, grim place.
Born Again opens with Karen selling Matt’s identity as Daredevil to an associate of Kingpin’s in exchange for drugs.
Local pusher down there says he met Daredevil’s old lady. His old old lady, I mean. Says for a armful she sold his name ...
Oh dear, I have a feeling the OTP might be in danger in this one. >.> Karen in the show was a dealer, but it’s hard to imagine her selling out Matt. And I really like Karen’s character in the show, so this act of total betrayal was a tough one to start with.
Not long after Karen sells Matt out, his money vanishes, his career disintegrates and he’s investigated and almost thrown into jail. Only Foggy, his avocado at law, manages to keep him free. But he’s broke and bewildered- until he connects the dots and realises who’s behind everything.
I do find the differences between Foggy and Matt a little jarring in this one. Foggy clearly worries about Matt, but I did find it so strange that Matt's entire life falls apart, he's left with money and Foggy just ... hopes he's okay? Like, dude, his life is falling apart. Ask him to sleep on your sofa! >.>
One of the biggest differences I noticed was how Karen is characterised. In the show she's got a past with drugs, yes, but she's smart, witty, loyal, scrappy. In this one, she betrays Matt, does drugs, feels bad about Matt, and gets in one upsetting situation after another. It's really quite depressing and feels a bit dated, honestly. She's very much the damsel-in-distress. And she's clearly going to end up with Matt - they're on the back cover - but she's relegated to the background in this one. She's a catalyst for the destruction of Matt's life and then in every scene in the first few issues of the volume, all she's thinking about is how Matt's going to save her. It's not quite the Karen I know from the show.
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
Daredevil ... he rolls the name across the bruise that is his mind. Comforting, it isn’t. But it is real.
Matt Murdock is one of my favourite superheroes for sure. As a huge fan of the show, but not having grown up with Daredevil, I didn’t quite know where to start with the comic books. Charlie Cox mentioned this one in an interview about the third season of the show, so I figured I’d dive straight in to see how 1987 Daredevil compares to 2018 Daredevil.
Also, I’m 100% here for Matt/Karen. I love them. Not quite as much as I love Matt and Elektra, but it’s almost tied. I mean, who couldn’t ship these two?
CUTIE PIES, HONESTLY.
Firstly, the artwork is really exquisite in this story. I really love how art can add on to a story and the art in this is gritty, noir, grunge. Which is fitting, because the story starts from a dark, grim place.
Born Again opens with Karen selling Matt’s identity as Daredevil to an associate of Kingpin’s in exchange for drugs.
Local pusher down there says he met Daredevil’s old lady. His old old lady, I mean. Says for a armful she sold his name ...
Oh dear, I have a feeling the OTP might be in danger in this one. >.> Karen in the show was a dealer, but it’s hard to imagine her selling out Matt. And I really like Karen’s character in the show, so this act of total betrayal was a tough one to start with.
Not long after Karen sells Matt out, his money vanishes, his career disintegrates and he’s investigated and almost thrown into jail. Only Foggy, his avocado at law, manages to keep him free. But he’s broke and bewildered- until he connects the dots and realises who’s behind everything.
I do find the differences between Foggy and Matt a little jarring in this one. Foggy clearly worries about Matt, but I did find it so strange that Matt's entire life falls apart, he's left with money and Foggy just ... hopes he's okay? Like, dude, his life is falling apart. Ask him to sleep on your sofa! >.>
One of the biggest differences I noticed was how Karen is characterised. In the show she's got a past with drugs, yes, but she's smart, witty, loyal, scrappy. In this one, she betrays Matt, does drugs, feels bad about Matt, and gets in one upsetting situation after another. It's really quite depressing and feels a bit dated, honestly. She's very much the damsel-in-distress. And she's clearly going to end up with Matt - they're on the back cover - but she's relegated to the background in this one. She's a catalyst for the destruction of Matt's life and then in every scene in the first few issues of the volume, all she's thinking about is how Matt's going to save her. It's not quite the Karen I know from the show.
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
February 5, 2022
“Y yo le he demostrado que un hombre sin esperanza es un hombre sin miedo”
Carajo, que buena historia. Daredevil Born Again es el que según la gran mayoría de los fans es el mejor cómic del diablo de Hell´s Kitchen y vaya si tienen motivos para creerlo pues la narrativa sombría de Frank Miller (cuando su trabajo era bueno y relevante) y los lápices de David Mazzucchelli se combinan para traernos una trama tortuosa y terrible para el pobre diablo de Matt Murdock pues el Kingpin se ha enterado de su identidad gracias a que una ex novia suya reveló su nombre al mafioso por una dosis de heroína. Aunque claro, tratándose del mayor enemigo del Kingpin, este no se conformara solo con su muerte, pues este va a trazar un enrevesado plan de varios meses en los que el monstruoso rey del crimen lo va a hacer mierda financiera, laboral, y psicológicamente hablando para ahora si destruirlo.
La verdad es que no tengo nada nuevo que agregar a las cientos de reseñas positivas que hay por ahí, la historia es en su primera parte una oda a la depresión y a la locura pero también tiene un fuerte significado pues el guion de Frank Miller nos demuestra en su segunda mitad que cuando ya no se puede caer más bajo lo único que le queda a Matt es aprender a levantarse con una nueva fuerza y determinación de lograr lo que sea pues un hombre sin esperanza es un hombre sin miedo, Born Again es un cómic que tiene un ritmo trepidante y que no te dejara soltarlo hasta el final. Por otro lado el arte de Mazzucchelli es increíble en todo momento, quizá no sea el mejor pero su estilo es muy expresivo y ambos artistas logran contar un argumento simple pero dotado de momentos desgarradores que juegan mucho con varios elementos dramáticos que están muy bien hilados, incluso los personajes secundarios tienen algo que decir y sus historias en solitario son interesantes agregándole mucho a la trama principal.
La conclusión es que lo leas y punto, no tengo nada más que decir, esta más que recomendado.
Carajo, que buena historia. Daredevil Born Again es el que según la gran mayoría de los fans es el mejor cómic del diablo de Hell´s Kitchen y vaya si tienen motivos para creerlo pues la narrativa sombría de Frank Miller (cuando su trabajo era bueno y relevante) y los lápices de David Mazzucchelli se combinan para traernos una trama tortuosa y terrible para el pobre diablo de Matt Murdock pues el Kingpin se ha enterado de su identidad gracias a que una ex novia suya reveló su nombre al mafioso por una dosis de heroína. Aunque claro, tratándose del mayor enemigo del Kingpin, este no se conformara solo con su muerte, pues este va a trazar un enrevesado plan de varios meses en los que el monstruoso rey del crimen lo va a hacer mierda financiera, laboral, y psicológicamente hablando para ahora si destruirlo.
La verdad es que no tengo nada nuevo que agregar a las cientos de reseñas positivas que hay por ahí, la historia es en su primera parte una oda a la depresión y a la locura pero también tiene un fuerte significado pues el guion de Frank Miller nos demuestra en su segunda mitad que cuando ya no se puede caer más bajo lo único que le queda a Matt es aprender a levantarse con una nueva fuerza y determinación de lograr lo que sea pues un hombre sin esperanza es un hombre sin miedo, Born Again es un cómic que tiene un ritmo trepidante y que no te dejara soltarlo hasta el final. Por otro lado el arte de Mazzucchelli es increíble en todo momento, quizá no sea el mejor pero su estilo es muy expresivo y ambos artistas logran contar un argumento simple pero dotado de momentos desgarradores que juegan mucho con varios elementos dramáticos que están muy bien hilados, incluso los personajes secundarios tienen algo que decir y sus historias en solitario son interesantes agregándole mucho a la trama principal.
La conclusión es que lo leas y punto, no tengo nada más que decir, esta más que recomendado.
August 31, 2021
7/10
One of the best works written by Frank Miller, here supported by the great art of David Mazzucchelli. Definitely less episodic than Miller's previous long run on Daredevil, back when he was also drawing the comic book.
The theme of fall and redemption is not investigated very deeply nor in a particularly original way - how could it be? This is a superhero comics after all! - but it is expressed in a visually impactful way. Also, I love that the fall touches in different forms and degrees the whole supporting cast (Karen, Nelson, Ulrich), not only the protagonist Matt Murdock.
The miniseries has six chapters, of which the first four are the actually core of the story. That's the part worth reading. By the end of chapter four the main serious dilemmas are solved, and Matt Murdock has concluded his psychological and moral parabola of fall and rise. But the main knot of the plot - the inevitable first fight between Daredevil and Kingpin - is not solved. So, they need to add two more chapters, which go back into the routine of the Daredevil series: Kingpin hires a weirdo super-soldier to hit Daredevil, and the latter takes him down with the help of Captain America. This is my main problem with the book: it is actually two consecutive stories, and it feels anticlimactic towards the end if read as a single one.
From a storytelling perspective, the comic abounds with Miller's usual syncopate boxed inner monologues. It is inevitable with him, that's what the man does. Anyhow, at this stage of his career he was not yet the parody of himself, so all in all the narration patterns serve the story well.
In any case, the real protagonist of the miniseries is Mazzucchelli's art. Already quite solid and stylised for the genre and the period, you can already perceive it slightly evolving towards the more abstract essential style of his future works.
One of the best works written by Frank Miller, here supported by the great art of David Mazzucchelli. Definitely less episodic than Miller's previous long run on Daredevil, back when he was also drawing the comic book.
The theme of fall and redemption is not investigated very deeply nor in a particularly original way - how could it be? This is a superhero comics after all! - but it is expressed in a visually impactful way. Also, I love that the fall touches in different forms and degrees the whole supporting cast (Karen, Nelson, Ulrich), not only the protagonist Matt Murdock.
The miniseries has six chapters, of which the first four are the actually core of the story. That's the part worth reading. By the end of chapter four the main serious dilemmas are solved, and Matt Murdock has concluded his psychological and moral parabola of fall and rise. But the main knot of the plot - the inevitable first fight between Daredevil and Kingpin - is not solved. So, they need to add two more chapters, which go back into the routine of the Daredevil series: Kingpin hires a weirdo super-soldier to hit Daredevil, and the latter takes him down with the help of Captain America. This is my main problem with the book: it is actually two consecutive stories, and it feels anticlimactic towards the end if read as a single one.
From a storytelling perspective, the comic abounds with Miller's usual syncopate boxed inner monologues. It is inevitable with him, that's what the man does. Anyhow, at this stage of his career he was not yet the parody of himself, so all in all the narration patterns serve the story well.
In any case, the real protagonist of the miniseries is Mazzucchelli's art. Already quite solid and stylised for the genre and the period, you can already perceive it slightly evolving towards the more abstract essential style of his future works.
October 17, 2016
My NSFCCDP friend m.poulet suggested I get a little more up to speed on my classic comix and he strongly recommended Frank Miller’s Daredevil. I found Daredevil Reborn on a recent business trip and was blown away. I remember the DD costume from glancing through comics as a kid, but never read the story and felt like a moron when I said to m.poulet, “Oh, so he’s BLIND!” No shit sherlock. He is the blind superhero, that’s why Matt Murdoch is super strong and fearless. His adversary King Pin is a massive, evil mofo that nearly succeeds in annihilating Daredevil entirely. The artwork of David Mazzucchelli is stupendous. The story itself is definitely rated NC-17 at least with multiple references to hard drugs (poor Karen!) and prostitution (poor Karen again!). The story arc leads Matt nearly to insanity and despair before his epiphany and rebirth. I could not put it down for a second – it engages you from the first page and keeps you breathless until the end. Towards the end, there is another killer bad guy, Nuke, and the intervention of Thor, Captain America and Iron Man in a great confrontation where the Daredevil has to back down. I won’t put in spoilers because perhaps some of my readers have not had the pleasure of this extreme classic in the genre, but there is a happy ending. The other good news is that there are rumors of a Daredevil film to come…
Truly one of the most complete and impressive comics ever, I’d place Daredevil Born Again up with The Dark Knight Returns as one of my all-time favorites.
Truly one of the most complete and impressive comics ever, I’d place Daredevil Born Again up with The Dark Knight Returns as one of my all-time favorites.
December 7, 2018
First off, let me get one thing straight:
This story is really dark.
Like, it's the darkest superhero story I've ever read.
So, mild spoilers up ahead, don't read on if you're one of those chaps who likes to jump into a tale without knowing what it's about.
In this story, Karen Page, once Nelson & Murdcok's secretary, now junky/former adult film star, sells out Daredevil's secret identity to get a bit more heroine.
Matt Murdock's life is falling apart, though it's not really made clear why. As if things weren't bad enough for our favourite hero dressed in a demon's suit, Kingpin now knows who Matt really is, and sets out to destroy Murdock's life.
Now, if you've read my previous reviews, you'll probably know that Imma start randomly talking about the art, then the story, then somehow awkwardly end the review.
The art was... Like all old times comic book art. Bright and colourful and cartoony, and also able to tell a story in a way that only classic comics can.
The story... to be honest, it was pretty messy. Like, random pieces were just jammed in here and there. Though, it was executed well enough to make this fairly entertaining.
All in all, Born Again is a comic book classic that DD fans should read.
3/5 Stars.
This story is really dark.
Like, it's the darkest superhero story I've ever read.
So, mild spoilers up ahead, don't read on if you're one of those chaps who likes to jump into a tale without knowing what it's about.
In this story, Karen Page, once Nelson & Murdcok's secretary, now junky/former adult film star, sells out Daredevil's secret identity to get a bit more heroine.
Matt Murdock's life is falling apart, though it's not really made clear why. As if things weren't bad enough for our favourite hero dressed in a demon's suit, Kingpin now knows who Matt really is, and sets out to destroy Murdock's life.
Now, if you've read my previous reviews, you'll probably know that Imma start randomly talking about the art, then the story, then somehow awkwardly end the review.
The art was... Like all old times comic book art. Bright and colourful and cartoony, and also able to tell a story in a way that only classic comics can.
The story... to be honest, it was pretty messy. Like, random pieces were just jammed in here and there. Though, it was executed well enough to make this fairly entertaining.
All in all, Born Again is a comic book classic that DD fans should read.
3/5 Stars.
March 6, 2021
“Pero como no me muero, he de seguir adelante. Después de un tiempo, de algún modo logro dejar de sentir el dolor... en parte... Pasado un tiempo, solo sufro una agonía”- Matt Murdock.
Existen cómics que trascienden su época y nos entregan momentos sorprendentes que marcan para siempre una etapa del noveno arte. Born again es uno de ellos.
A finales de los '80, el cómic de superhéroes creció, gracias a un compendio de obras fascinantes que todavía hoy no han perdido vigencia. Por supuesto, tenemos Watchmen o La broma asesina, escritas por Alan Moore, pero no podemos olvidar a Frank Miller que, junto a Batman: El regreso delCaballero Oscuro y Daredevil: Born again, dio un paso más allá en el mundo del cómic de superhéroes.
No se puede decir lo suficiente sobre los números que componen la etapa de Born again de Daredevil. Pueden escribirse ensayos, críticas y libros... y siempre habrá un nuevo enfoque para esta historia sobre caída y retorno de un héroe masacrado.
La crítica continúa en el blog
Existen cómics que trascienden su época y nos entregan momentos sorprendentes que marcan para siempre una etapa del noveno arte. Born again es uno de ellos.
A finales de los '80, el cómic de superhéroes creció, gracias a un compendio de obras fascinantes que todavía hoy no han perdido vigencia. Por supuesto, tenemos Watchmen o La broma asesina, escritas por Alan Moore, pero no podemos olvidar a Frank Miller que, junto a Batman: El regreso delCaballero Oscuro y Daredevil: Born again, dio un paso más allá en el mundo del cómic de superhéroes.
No se puede decir lo suficiente sobre los números que componen la etapa de Born again de Daredevil. Pueden escribirse ensayos, críticas y libros... y siempre habrá un nuevo enfoque para esta historia sobre caída y retorno de un héroe masacrado.
La crítica continúa en el blog
November 12, 2021
Vrátil se. Uviděl. Zvítězil.
Psát několik let skvěle hodnocenou sérii, odejít od ní a vrátit se k ní v takové síle je hodné jen velmi velké osobnosti kterou Frank Miller bezesporu je. Tohle je TEN esenciální příběh který ukazuje jak je svět Daredevila ošklivé místo plné pomsty, korupce a vražd. Přesto nejde o ideální start do světa Nebojsy, je potřeba znát ty postavy, jejich vztahy a minulost (třeba takový Melvin tady hraje vedlejší roli ale pro mě je super, že tu je a chová se jak se chová!). Pokud tohle člověk splní dostane se mu skvělého příběhu jenž je parafrází na Dantovo Peklo kterým si Matt Murdock musí projít.
Vzpomínám si, že když jsme to četl poprvé tak mi dost vadil Mazzucchelli, což už neplatí, jeho dynamická a zároveň ponurá kresba je to co utváří obraz celého příběhu.
Asi bych vytkl dvě věci, pevně, že příběh se až moc řídí tím co si Miller přál, občas jde do velkých zkratek a nepůsobí to v rámci story konzistentně. Druhak, vyvrcholení je až přehnaně zrychlené na to jak dlouhé a přirozené budování to má.
Což jsou jen takové detaily, jako celek je to jedna z nejlepších Daredevil věcí ever.
Psát několik let skvěle hodnocenou sérii, odejít od ní a vrátit se k ní v takové síle je hodné jen velmi velké osobnosti kterou Frank Miller bezesporu je. Tohle je TEN esenciální příběh který ukazuje jak je svět Daredevila ošklivé místo plné pomsty, korupce a vražd. Přesto nejde o ideální start do světa Nebojsy, je potřeba znát ty postavy, jejich vztahy a minulost (třeba takový Melvin tady hraje vedlejší roli ale pro mě je super, že tu je a chová se jak se chová!). Pokud tohle člověk splní dostane se mu skvělého příběhu jenž je parafrází na Dantovo Peklo kterým si Matt Murdock musí projít.
Vzpomínám si, že když jsme to četl poprvé tak mi dost vadil Mazzucchelli, což už neplatí, jeho dynamická a zároveň ponurá kresba je to co utváří obraz celého příběhu.
Asi bych vytkl dvě věci, pevně, že příběh se až moc řídí tím co si Miller přál, občas jde do velkých zkratek a nepůsobí to v rámci story konzistentně. Druhak, vyvrcholení je až přehnaně zrychlené na to jak dlouhé a přirozené budování to má.
Což jsou jen takové detaily, jako celek je to jedna z nejlepších Daredevil věcí ever.
August 14, 2010
A really well-executed and compelling story that stands on its own. There are some eye-rolling story elements (witness Matt Murdock's junkie-whore ex girlfriend who sells him out for a fix, then goes to find him so he'll save her from the nasty Latin American men who are exploting her), but neither Frank Miller's craziness nor the grim-and-gritty '80s comics aesthetic had descended into total cliche at this point. And David Mazzucchelli is an absolute master.
(Also, for some reason, I really like Miller's use of Captain America/Steve Rogers. It's a small part, but the conflict between Steve's moral certainties and the sometimes questionable actions of the government he serves are brought very well).
ETA: Also, I hadn't realized how much of an influence this story had on the later Daredevil stories by Bendis -- from the use of Ben Urich (who's the "Jim Gordon" everyman figure here -- to the tension about Matt's secret identity.
(Also, for some reason, I really like Miller's use of Captain America/Steve Rogers. It's a small part, but the conflict between Steve's moral certainties and the sometimes questionable actions of the government he serves are brought very well).
ETA: Also, I hadn't realized how much of an influence this story had on the later Daredevil stories by Bendis -- from the use of Ben Urich (who's the "Jim Gordon" everyman figure here -- to the tension about Matt's secret identity.
March 10, 2017
You would think the team behind Batman Year one would have done a good job with this, I thought this sucked. Read The Man Without Fear instead
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