Daredevil #1

But Why Tho?

Daredevil #1 is a unique first issue. Being the newest creator developing the next steps for a huge character like Daredevil is never easy, and Ahmed has simply blown up all the expectations and conventions. The sudden switch is mind-blowing and gives the book an immediate distinction from previous iterations. Both Daredevils show their individuality and unquantifiable connection, wholly unprepared for what’s coming. Daredevil and horror go hand in hand, and there is a spectacular artist capable of exploring that avenue.

Un Cómic Más

Matt Murdock returns with a holy mission that must include Daredevil, an excellent start to a saga full of action and supernatural terror.

SciFiPulse

Saladin Ahmed proves to have a brilliant understanding of Catholicism and the guilt that is often associated with the Catholic religion. This is great because that is a huge aspect of Matt Murdock’s character. But I also loved how he has added a supernatural edge to it by having Matt not only confront his own personal demons but also confront some actual demons. Overall. A great first issue that felt good as a jumping-on point for me.

Comic Watch

The most recent Daredevil run received a lot of praise and could be a tough act to follow as a result. There might also be reader trepidation over whether the new run will continue where the previous left off or try for an immediate reset. None of that need be a concern. Daredevil #1 is a strong first issue that also feels like a natural extension of what came before.

First Comics News

The new creative team of Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder takes everyone’s favorite Man Without Fear for a new beginning that swaps out the legal aspects for a priest who’s working with orphans but finds himself facing a demon who possesses Elektra and returns to his life as Daredevil. From the looks of things, it seems as if Ahmed pushes Matt Murdock’s Catholic background to the forefront leaves him with more questions and regrets, but then he manages to find a great balance between justice and religion that takes readers back to Frank Miller era and if I’m being honest, Ahmed has already proven that he has the chops to write DD to where he can completely outshine Miller…..yes I said it. This looks to be a great start for DD and from what I’ve read, it looks like we’re in for a suspenseful rollercoaster ride.

The Super Powered Fancast

The Story: Ahmed crafts an exciting and engaging story for Matthew in this issue. I love the spiritual elements of the story and how Matt is trying to lead his new life while continuing to be tempted by his old one. I also really liked the supernatural elements of the story and how those temptations are manifesting in demons trying to stop him. I liked the final reveals in the story and look forward to seeing what they mean for Matt going forward. The Art: Kuder delivers beautifully detailed imagery throughout the issue. The art is lively and captures the gritty tone of the story and the city.

AIPT

I'm all in on Daredevil's new direction. The character feels fresh, but his new role as a priest suits the legacy of the character. Throw in a supernatural threat, and Daredevil is shaping up to be an exciting new era to add to the legacy of epic runs.

Weird Science Marvel Comics

Daredevil #1 is a solid start to Saladin Ahmed’s run on the title as Matt Murdock’s quiet life after hell suddenly takes a demonic turn. Matt’s resurrection question is intriguing (almost too much so), and that looks great. If Ahmed can pay off the resurrection question quickly and satisfactorily, this series will be off to a great start.

ComicBook.com

Ahmed manages to make this feel like a bona fide Daredevil story. He may have swapped legal proceedings for sheltering orphans, but he still nails Murdock's internal struggle between his moral code and his ceaseless desire to combat evil. Some adaptations lean a bit too heavily on Murdock's "Catholic guilt" and thus make him constantly question and regret his actions, but Ahmed seems to have found the right balance between Murdock's sense of justice and faith. The big villain of the issue is a demon possessing Elektra, forcing Matt to get back in the game even if his memories as Daredevil are only fragments. It's here that Aaron Kuder's artwork truly shines, showing off a wholly unique interpretation of demonic possession that is as creative as it is unsettling.

Multiversity Comics

All in all, this is a solid start to what will likely be another absorbing “Daredevil” run, and it’s great that the emphasis on Matt’s faith isn’t going away after Zdarsky and Checchetto’s run (not that I expected it to though, seeing as Ahmed is the series’ first Muslim writer.) Welcome back Matt!

Major Spoilers

Daredevil #1 has solid character design and is visually attractive. Elektra looks great in her Daredevil outfit, and the coloring is excellent. Despite some layout design concerns, this book has good art and solid writing. I’ll be interested to see what they do with the character in the future.

Kabooooom

It is oddly fitting to see the Man Without Fear as a Man of the Cloth. I doubt this new status quo will stick for long, but this is an engaging first issue. The art is somewhat weak at points, but there is far more good than bad in this new Daredevil.

The Comicbook Dispatch

Daredevil #1 can best be described as a bit of a reach. It provides the same shock and oddity as Snyder’s Batman run did when Bruce Wayne was seen back again. And that was ultimately the hook this week. Readers will be left with a ton of questions. How did Matt come back? How did he become a Father and why? Who was this ghost that kind of looked like an old, rotting Matt Murdock? Who set all of this up? How long has he been back for? Ahmed gives fans many questions to consider as Daredevil #1 opens but it wasn’t really enough. Nonetheless, I don’t know if it’s enough to completely hook me, especially with the odd, blatantly un-researched Catholic connection and misconceptions that would make this story not work under normal conditions. Nevertheless, I’m always all about giving the writer and creative team at least one arc to figure things out, especially when someone new takes over a series. That said, the leash is already a bit tight. Hopefully, we get answers quickly and move away from whatever this Priest angle is fast.

Graphic Policy

Daredevil #1 feels reserved in many ways. It’s a slow start overall that has interesting concepts but not an interesting pitch of those concepts. It feels rather safe in some ways and a little bit of a throwback in others. After the wild, emotional driven ride, that was the previous volume, this one is a definite change in pace.

Comic Crusaders

I am not sure why a change in focus of the story, or a change in creative team signals a need to restart a book at #1. Is it just for the alleged sales spike a “hot #1”? fi so, be mindful the drop for #2 and #3 can make those books scarcer. Couple this strategy with a character that is much maligned, be if for being a lightweight Spider-Man or the godawful film, Daredevil never seems to get his due. With all that in mind, this book was a lot more fun than I expected it to be, effectively resetting players into another crusade, or is that fools errand?

Comic Book Revolution

Daredevil #1 is a good start for this new era for the Man Without Fear that Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder are beginning. Their was a respect shown for what their predecessors established as they hit the ground running for what comes next for Matt Murdock.

Wakizashi's Reviews

Overall this is a solid opening issue. There are things I like and things I’m not sure about yet. Aaron Kuder’s art is fine, but feels like a bit of a step down after Marco Checchetto’s memorable work on the series. I found it a bit too cartoony, but maybe I just need time to get used to it. The story by Saladin Ahmed is intriguing and his voice for Matt is good. I have to give kudos to Ahmed for picking up the story where previous writer Chip Zdarsky left off. Not an easy task. Daredevil #1 (2023) is a cautious recommendation from Wakizashi.

Razorfine

Daredevil #1 is a weird first issue that gets Matt eventually back in costume (both the Netflix version and later his classic red duds) but also creates a different alter ego for him in a local preacher rather than lawyer. The comic is loudly unspecific about how and why Murdock was brought back, but the guilt in him seems enough to keep him away from resuming his life with Elektra (at least for now). Lots of questions here such as what did the demon want and how long will she continue to play Daredevil without him? At $7, its oddness isn’t quite enough to sell me on the new chapter of Matt Murdock’s life.