This week finds your favorite Traveling Apostle in the capital of the south, Richmond, Virginia, where not only did Jefferson Davis — the Norman Osborn of the 1800’s — set up shop for dominion but so has a great little shop called Velocity Comics. I popped in here to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the most loved monster-hunting spawn of the devil, Hellboy, with my new friends and procure myself the All-New Marvel Now release of another red-horned freak, Daredevil.
One thing that I love about my travels is that it allows me to experience geekdom on numerous coasts and other countries, and this Richmond trip was no different. Located near the VCU campus and easily accessible in the downtown area, Velocity is the place to be. Pat and his staff are knowledgable and their Hellboy party helped open up a whole new part of the Geek Coast to yours truly.
DAREDEVIL #1
Speaking of whole new worlds, what better way to segue into this Sunday Stash‘s main dish than with Daredevil #1.
This series finds our favorite blind crime fighter in a new location out on the west coast of San Fran. Thanks to the storytelling duo of Mark Waid (The Flash) and Chris Samnee (The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom) — who continue their red-devil run with a brand new number — you can think of this comic as Marvel’s second season of a great show that wanted to toss a little change-up.
Seeing how this creative duo has acquired such a loyal fan base (Moody among them), one would have to wonder why a brand new relaunch was needed besides the obvious selling of more comics. Well, Waid and Samnee thankfully — and masterfully — answer this and more with a new setting, a new status quo, a new non-tight wearing profession, and a new mystery to bewilder Matty’s world.
Following fans and new readers jumping on the hornhead express will be treated to a real gem. Not only is Waid able to entertain with his typically colorful take on DD, but new fans will find a very easy jumping-on point for the Man Without Fear. I even found myself learning new bits and pieces of the origin thanks to a brief intro that smoothly transitions to new happenings. Maybe the coolest moments of the comic, however, was witnessing the usually relaxed Murdock (who was always able to traverse the New York City skyline with ease) discover frustation with this new and far more challenging terrain. This leads to the return of fan favorite Kristin McDuffie, who now plays a lesser love interest and more reliable (see: oracle) sidekick.
Other than some signage. Wrong, but tasteful.
And, you know, since the 3-year run of Waid on Daredevil, I have learned to appreciate the artistic talents of Samnee. His elegant portrayal of DD’s world works primarily in his use of simple lines, while colorist Javier Rodriguez’s (Guardians of the Galaxy) palette choices in this premiere issue help bring life to the sight of a blind man. With vivid colors that help paint the surreal life of seeing through vibrations, Javier scores.
If smart readers pick up the latest on Frisco’s newest hero — number change or not — it’s quite obvious that they will too.
Photos courtesy of The Other Murdock Papers and Marvel.com.
(Flip the page for 3 mini-reviews from our Priestess Eva!)