 |
| https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zYvuDgtFqCo/maxresdefault.jpg |
Matt Murdock hits a lot of my favorite comic-book hero beats. He's poor, a regular guy. I'm not so interested by the billionaire types; they get it too easy in the logistics department. Murdock works for a living.
Like my own character, Jessica Roark, Daredevil found that his powers were, at first, a disability he had to learn to manage rather than a boon. Not only did he lose his sight, the amplification of his other senses threatened to drive him mad with everything he could now hear and smell. Though it's typically covered in a quick montage, his journey to control and superhero status was a long one.
He's also human, and fallible. He makes mis-steps, and suffers consequences for them. His personal life does not go on glibly. He hurts and loses people he loves. There's a lot of redemption happening in the Daredevil universe.
 |
| https://georgespigot.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/daredevil-05.jpg |
I rediscovered the character in his recent iteration on Netflix. The show really updated the comics nicely while still keeping the heart of the characters and the gritty feeling of Hell's Kitchen. The women characters, especially, benefitted from the update and Foggy got some depth beyond "old friend" and "shlubby sidekick" status. I'm hopeful that the show will continue to surprise and please me.
___________________________________
This post is part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I'll be writing about superheroes I love all month. You can check out other bloggers and see their creative takes on the challenge here.
Don't forget to check out my own superhero stories:
Don't forget to check out my own superhero stories:
I first saw Daredevil in Trial of the Incredible Hulk where he was played by Rex Smith of Street Hawk fame :). I loved him then and I adore the new show. I haven't had a chance to watch season 2 yet - am so looking forward to it. My husband and I mainlined s1 in a few days.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
I'm looking forward to getting to watch season 2, too!
DeleteSounds like a believable character in his "normal" persona. Are comic-book heroes supposed to be believable?
ReplyDeleteKeith Channing A-Zing from http://keithkreates.com
"Supposed"? Well, maybe. I just know I like the stories better when certain aspects are believable. Obviously, I'm willing to accept impossible things like the powers themselves, but I'm interested in the regular struggles with characters I can identify with.
DeleteI didn't really read comics when I was a child, so I'm only starting to discover comic book heroes (like the Daredevil) through recent TV shows/movies.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Ellen | http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/2016/04/d-is-for-ditch-bag-nancy-drew.html
It's never too late!
DeleteWhizzed back through your other posts - LOVE BTVS, the series and the cast. So well written, I felt invested in all the characters and even though I'm fifty something now I still enjoy watching episodes :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne from
Suzannes Tribe
Well chosen and well said.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chad!
DeleteI've been enjoying revisiting Stephen King with you on your blog as well!
DeleteI still have to watch Daredevil on Netflix. I keep putting it off because I know I will go on a binge and not get anything done. ^^;;
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
It is easy to do!
Deletehaven't watched it yet, but it's on my list with a couple of other showss.
ReplyDeletei'm a bit hesistant since my only visual of daredevil is the horror of the movie.
The movie was kind of a mess, wasn't it? It viewed like something made in committee.
DeleteNow I want to watch it! :) Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it!
DeleteI've been meaning to watch Daredevil on Netflix since people have been raving about it! So far my only knowledge of Daredevil comes from that awful Ben Affleck version...
ReplyDeleteDon't give up on the character based on that movie. He's better than that.
DeleteAnother one I haven't seen. I must be living under a rock.
ReplyDeleteWell . . .I am maybe, perhaps, a little obsessed with all things superhero.
DeleteI really enjoy the movie Daredevil and I'm probably only person who liked Ben in it. Although, it's hard to like him as a regular person right now. Still, I tried to watch it on Netflix, but the violence left me behind. Too much for my taste. I'm odd though, I just started watching Farscape recently but turned it off because the constant yelling and arguing turns me off. LOL I may have a patience problem. :)
ReplyDeleteNot every show is for everyone. Myself, I like quite a bit of violence…in my fiction.
DeleteHi! Great minds think alike...I also did a D for Daredevil. He's one of my favorites. Glad you found him again on Netflix. :)
ReplyDeleteGareth Young (http://1000trillionsuns.blogspot.com/)
That's hilarious that we both picked him. Enjoyed your post, and will definitely have to pick up more comics.
DeleteAnd...what did you think of the Affleck movie? Never saw it, but I heard it was fairly ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI didn't hate Affleck in it as many have. I thought his performance was fine. The movie just didn't work though. I'd have to watch it again to figure out why. And I'm not sure I'm willing to.
DeleteYes, life is too short to re-watch a movie you don't enjoy.
DeleteThere are two super-heroes that I have followed since I was a kid; Batman and Daredevil, because they both embrace the dark side. I never saw the Affleck movie, but saw excerpts and they were lousy enough.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw Daredevil on Netflix I was captivated because the makers got it right. They tapped into the angst he was feeling about taking a life - not necessarily killing - but taking someone and removing them from society, when he really wasn't commissioned to do so. Making Matt Catholic was a spectacular choice, because even non-observant Catholics (such as myself) feel that guilt in their bones, when going against when society has clearly indicated is wrong. Redemption for Matt will have to come from within, I think, no matter how he protests that what he does is right, even to the Punisher, who by his very nature is pure. He does one thing and by his lights and the view of anyone outside of him, can see - having all of the facts - that he is correct in what he does.
During the series "Angel" much was made of the fact that Angel was the good guy, but the one who really was "good" was Spike, who sacrificed himself for the good of the group, and receive a human soul. As much as he wanted to still be a bad guy, his goodness slowly took over. Angel's soul was the result of a curse from a band of gypsies, thus making him, I think, not nearly as qualified for true redemption. Spike, the meanest of the mean, won that title. And there is grace through redemption.
That is what Matt will be wrestling with in Season 3, now that his friends have left him. He cannot seek vengeance for Electra's death, as she willingly went forward into the fight. Matt is really left alone, with some support from the Punisher - who is a loner - and Stick, who is a bullying enigmatic entity, with secrets to be kept.
It will be interesting to see where Matt goes from here. He cannot go back to his friends and he may have to deal with Stick before Stick kills Matt. I cannot wait until season 3. Thanks for the wonderful post on Daredevil!
So much yes! I agree that exploring his guilt through the lens of his religious background really strengthened the character. Can't wait to see more.
Delete