Today we're talking to Mark Waid and Paolo Rivera, the creative team behind the all new Daredevil #1. We've got a ton of preview images, including interiors from the first issue and future covers from the like of John Romita Sr, Paolo Rivera, and Bryan Hitch.
The press call begins with a special tribute to artist Gene Colan from Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, and Editor In Chief Axel Alonso. The legendary artist passed away Thursday evening at 84. His stunning legacy of comics work includes 81 issues of Daredevil from the late 60s and early 70s.
"He invented the way he drew," says Brevoort, who compares Colan to a "Muppet" in his sensitivity and sense of wonder. Colan's Daredevil was Alonso's first experience with the character, and he considers the artist synonymous with his childhood comic reading.
Waid explains that though he never worked with the artist personally, he wanted to stress that it was Colan who defined the character visually.
Waid says he's following "nothing but class acts" as he takes the helm of the ongoing Daredevil series. "Without jettisoning the street level feel or the noir aspects of the story, let's dial up the superhero elements." He refers to Matt Murdock as the ultimate outsider in the Marvel universe, but couple with this book and what Bendis is doing in upcoming issues of Avengers, the character is stepping out a little.
"He's already fucking blind." says editor Steve Wacker. Things can't get much darker for the character, so why not make things a little lighter? At least for a while?
"The noose has been constricting around Matt's neck," says Waid in reference to recent runs from the likes of Bendis, Brubaker and Diggle. But for the time being, they've run out of those personal tragedies. "He needs a win every now and then."
Wacker says there will also be a geographical shift away from Hell's Kitchen. Marvel is acknowledging the fact that the neighborhood is no longer such a terrible place. "The hookers are nicer now."
Waid says Foggy Nelson remains the most important member of the supporting cast. The character suspects that even with the lighter tone, there's still something wrong with his friend Matt Murdock. Dakota North remains an important presence as well. Waid says ninjas and the Kingpin will get to rest for a while in terms of threats. Waid and Wacker list Mole Man, Batroc, and Silver Surfer as other characters they'd like to play around with.
Rivera ribs Waid by announcing he purchased Kingdom Come when he was sixteen. The artist explains that Daredevil's blindness is a constant consideration when rendering the character, even down to his posture and body movement. He also considers him the master of rooftop gymnastics, even in comparison to Spider-Man. There's less of a physics consideration because there are no webs to worry about.
Waid references David Duchovny's performance in Showtime's Californication as his model for Matt Murdock. Murdock wants to roll back the clock and forget things like Shadowland happened. And that's maybe not the best idea. There will be fallout from that event.
We asked about the status of Matt's license to practice law, given the fallout from Shadowland. Waid seemed very excited to tackle this question and this problem in the story. Murdock is still technically able to act as a lawyer, regardless of public perception. The team wants to bring the legal drama back to the fore, though they're conscious that courtroom scenes aren't necessarily the most compelling sequences in superhero comics. So they're being careful with that balance. That said, Murdock is going to be doing some things Waid believes no superhero lawyer has ever done.
Asked about Daredevil rogues he's interested in revisiting, Waid lists the Matador, who Brubaker used to great effect. He also thinks the Purple Man is perfectly suited to Daredevil's skill set and anxieties.
The conversation shifts to the opening threat of Klaw, an embodiment of sound, and how that character will be represented visually. Rivera says the most fun is when Matt's senses go haywire. You can see an example of the character's sense view in the included preview.
Waid says Matt Murdock is the kind of man who listens to women. Really listens. "To their heart" Wacker adds. The editor says Matt is the kind of guy every man should aim to be. Waid promises a potential female love interest for Matt from the larger Marvel U. A character he says fans might find surprising.
(We're guessing She Hulk.)
Here's a line: Waid says "Spider-Man looks at Daredevil and sees the superhero he wants to grow up to be." He is quoting Spider-Man and Daredevil editor Wacker.
Hows about them preview images? First up, take a gander at the concentric circle goodness of these Daredevil #1 covers from John Romita Sr., Marcos Martin, and Neal Adams!
A glimpse of the interiors for Daredevil #1:
Next up, Paolo Rivera's covers for Daredevil #2 and 3.
Finally, a pair of covers for Daredevil #4, one by Marcos Martin, the other by Bryan Hitch:
Look for Daredevil #1 from Mark Waid, Paulo Rivera, and Marcos Martin this July. Rivera draws the main story with Martin on the 10-page backup. Martin returns with the next arc.
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That Neal Adams cover is pretty…
I get my comics monthly via DCBS and ordered this book on based on Mark waid and a desire to read more Marvel books…That image of Matt in the street with his Devily senses tingling makes me feel like a made a good choice…
SO. EXCITED.
I loves me some Daredevil. That Neal Adams cover is amazing. I love the Marcos Martin one too.
Want want want want! Can we please stopmaking Matt’s life miserable now though? A throwback 60’s inspired DD book would bring me joy.
looking forward to this. The Art is “brighter” than i would expect from Daredevil, but it looks really sweet.
Oh my god, this is looking so good.
So, it is possible for me to be more excited for new Daredevil.
ANOTHER #1 issue?
sigh…I’ll take that kick-ass Neal Adams cover, please
Gah….this looks amazing!
Now I’m debating the trade wait.
I love how this run is seemingly going to be “Let’s just assume for a tic that Frank Miller doesn’t have a stranglehold on the Daredevil mythos.”
Love the art, and while i’ve seen Daredevil go “lighter” before, I totally understand the need for it now and think Waid’s a good choice.
But strangely? My favorite bit in this whole interview is Waid likening Matt to Duchovny’s Californication character. That makes SO much sense to me, and i like the idea that he may be kind of running away from his past actions — which adds a little gritty edge to the “lighter” stories. Like, he’s purposefully TRYING to get involved in lighter, more adventurous stuff, but the darker actions of his past threaten to catch up… that’ll make for good drama.
christ, that piece with matt and foggy walking about is hilarious: matt using his super powers to sense dog shit and booty- classy!
Wow I never notcied before on the top cover, I’m assuming Martin cover(The one with daredevil covering his eyes), all of the sound effects placed around on all the scenery such as Glug Slosh for the water tower and Flap on the birds. Really cool. This looks really great
This looks great! Though, I hope Waid and Rivera create some new threats for Draredevil.
nice piece, Paul—that cover with all the words is straight up genius…
Wow I am so jumping on! Those Marcos Martin covers alone are enough to get me psyched about this!
So many great pin ups. it feels like a great time to be a daredevil fan.
@TheNextChampion Don’t trade wait! If you get single issues, we can gush together every month when it comes out and is AWESOME!
Hmmm….Not really that excited about this. Some nice covers but it looks kind of like, I don’t know… Daredevil the Musical, all these colors.. maybe throw in some show tunes. A dance number from Klaw would be cool but other than that I don’t think I can do this. It feels like too much of a change. I could be wrong since many fans seem to be excited.
Looking forward to this. Ive not read DC in years but the relaunch has me interested in no less than 9 books. Add upcoming/new titles like Daredevil, The Punisher, Planet of the Apes, Butcher Baker and Xombi…the budget calls for a few tough cuts. Right now its looks like ASM, X-Men Legacy and Secret Avengers (at least for a bit) have to go. Anybody dropping anything they’ve read for a long time?
Im excited, i love daredevil and i love the gritty stuff but im so happy to see Daredevil get fun and swashbuckling again. And the art is great. Reminds me of Mazzuchelli art when he did Born Again. SO excited for this book.
@ZorntoLargent: Like you, I’m looking forward to Daredevil and other new stuff, but it will be hard on the budget. I’m making tough cuts, like all Batman titles (will pick up Batwoman and maybe Batgirl) and probably cutting Secret Avengers too. Anyway, excited for Daredevil!
Glad to get DD back. I can’t wait for this new series to launch.
@JohnVFerrigno Well the previews before, while gorgeous, still didn’t make me interested in it. But man these previews are really making me at least wanting to give the first issue a shot.
Looking forward to a lighter Daredevil book. It’s past time to change course with this character.
Finally, a lighter tone for Daredevil.
Just exactly what sound is coming out from that black woman’s arse?
and i don’t like this lighter tone daredevil business. he has to be dark and violant and introspective or he comes off lame
@Edward thats not true. Daredevil can be a light with serious undertones. Mark Waid is a great writer who im sure can balance the fun aspects of daredevil with the serious drama that is Matt’s life. This is just moving on from the same old same old that has been done with Daredevil for 20+ years. This is good for DD, maybe now my friends will stop calling him a batman knockoff lol.
@edward I don’t think they were all sounds. I believe some were smells. Which is just as bad, actually lol
It’s definitely different but I’m super stoked to check out issue #1! Can’t wait 🙂
@thepowerout Ha ha ha! That’s hilarious! Just some of the lesser known benefits of his powers, I guess.
Definitely checking this out!
Some of that art looks cool. Some of it . . . not so much. I’ll probably jump in for Waid’s story though.
Annnnd…they pull me back in again.
Looking forward to it.
I bet he starts dating/banging Mary Jane!
@tomdpimp Now that would just be wrong. Funny though.
Looking forward to Waid’s writing, but that interior art isn’t hitting it off with me.
Can’t wait for the softcover!! No way I’m paying $3.99 an issue!!