Aside from loose knowledge of the character and a viewing of the hollywood adaptation years back, I didn’t have much history with Daredevil as a character. But a few months ago I decided to check out the current arc of Mark Waid’s acclaimed series and wound up loving it. Samnee’s brilliant art coupled and Waid’s complete sense of the character makes for a terrific comic book. And everyone should be check it out.

Anyway, due to my renewed interest in Daredevil I decided to hop on to his new Anthology series that launched this week (I’d miss out on DD: End of Days, so I’ll trade-wait). Daredevil: Dark Nights is a platform for creators to come in and tell self contained DD stories in no more than a few issues. This issue is Part 1 of 3 of Lee Week’s introductory arc and it is fantastic. Weeks does double duty, providing both the pencils and the writing.

It’s a glorious (albeit a little slow but it’s the first issue after all) throwback to a Daredevil that we don’t see too often. Not the doomed and depressed version of Shadowland or the optimistic turn that Waid’s taken, but a grounded and serious hero, a guardian. Accompanied by amazing art that evokes the works classic cartoonists.

It’s a package you don’t get enough these days, and a welcome breath of fresh air. Definitely pick it up if you’re interested in the character, you don’t need previous experience with any DD titles to enjoy this book.

I do have two minor gripes. First the title kind of bugs me. Really Marvel, you couldn’t have spent an extra hour to find a more original subtitle than “Dark Nights”? As if that hasn’t been used in one way or another across the entirety of the industry. And the second is the inclusion of the religious undertones, in both dialogue and several narration blocks. It sort of felt out of place except to give extra purpose behind Daredevil’s actions. Is he an especially religious hero have a religious background? If so I’ll redact this gripe.

Anyway, check this title out!