Marvel has been doing quite a few retro miniseries, which have been a fun trip down memory lane. Of course, I don’t know how I feel about seeing some of the comics I grew up with referred to as “retro”, but c’est la vie. Marvel has been using some of their big-name characters like Spider-Man and Ghost Rider, and luckily, Daredevil has made the cut. The writer who brought us Last Rites and Fall From Grace is back, but how does he do in this return?
Marvel Comics
D.G. Chichester wrote Daredevil in the 1990s, and during his tenure, the character received a new costume. Even a new “life” was given to Murdock, who helps people on the streets with legal advice as “Jack Battlin.” Chichester dives right back into the familiar waters of Hell’s Kitchen, and you can tell that Chichester has grown as a writer, embracing the “less is more” idea when it comes to character thoughts. Thought boxes are tighter and more focused, making it cleaner for the art to shine through, which Netho Diaz does.
Marvel Comics
Netho Diaz takes advantage of Chichester’s script, showcasing Murdock’s street fighter skills and the setting of Marvel’s past. We get some great scenes of Daredevil in action against classic looks of villains as they engage in battle. The layouts are fun and make the pages energetic as Daredevil moves from panel to panel. The placement is enjoyable as it helps to give it a feel like a boxer moving to dodge punches and ties nicely into Murdock’s memories of his father. JP Mayer and Andrew Dalhouse enhance Diaz’s art with inks and colors, respectively; Dalhouse divides his palette nicely to give a nostalgic hue to the flashback scenes.
Marvel Comics
The trade paperback collection is light, containing the complete four-issue story, cover gallery, and some art pages. If you were on the fence about it during its initial release as single comics, this trade paperback would be the most cost-effective way to get the story. It is a fun flashback to the Marvel of yesteryear, showcasing the looks, styles, and character situations. Getting to see the Black Armor back in action is a treat as it was very stylish and makes for an entertaining read, no matter how much you know about Daredevil.
Daredevil: Black Armor is an entertaining adventure that uses nostalgia to get readers to return with enough hype that newer fans will want to check out this throwback suit. D.G. Chichester and Netho Diaz give us the best of the past and present with their modern-style trip to a memorable era in Daredevil. If you dig old-school style with modern storytelling, be sure to check this out.
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