Frank Miller and Klaus Janson take control of the Daredevil series and Panini Comics collects this milestone in the second deluxe volume of this compilation

After a first volume which, being necessary, functioned more as a prologue to what was to come than anything else, now Panini Comics brings us the second episode of the internship compilation Frank Miller And Klaus Janson in the regular series Daredevil. In this volume entitled Marvel Masterpieces. Daredevil by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson 2 of 4 We’ll see this writer/illustrator/inker team fully oiled in its second half.

Picking up the baton

Although both Miller and Janson were present in the first volume, their contribution was almost testimonial. With the exception of one issue, in this volume we will find these two as the absolute responsible for the graphic section, with Miller also being the scriptwriter from the middle onwards.

Roger McKenzie, Author: Michael Fleisher And David Michelinie They are responsible for the script in the numbers where they are not responsible for Miller, and it’s like a legend Steve Ditko who takes care of the pencils in the only issue included here in which Miller does not intervene in any way.

The truth is that in the first steps of this volume we will not find anything particularly interesting, beyond the presence of charismatic characters such as Center of the target (which will offer us one of those mythical duels with the hero) or the Black Widow. It’s also curious to see such an unlikely villain Doctor Octopus move through the pages of this series, even though its presence is almost anecdotal…

When Carcass bursts into the series, things are already getting serious. And seeing Miller draw the Emerald GiantEven though it’s one of those stories where the character acts as a rival to a hero who is just trying to protect the citizens from his uncontrolled rage, it’s a fantasy. But everything changes when he becomes the one in charge of the stories…

Defining the man without fear forever

something does click when the script and the drawing are done by Miller. In a certain sense, the freedom that this situation allows him makes the graphic section of the comic shine much more, daring with a more daring narration in which we can see, almost from the first moment, the use of some resources that would end up defining his style.

But if there is something that stands out in this new phase of the Man without fear This is, beyond that dark and sad tone that was about to take shape and that would have marked the fate of the character up to now (something that we will see more markedly in the next episodes), the first appearance of a character so mythical and so linked to our protagonist as he is. Electra Natchios. The cover of the issue in which we meet her is a declaration of intent, but the truth is that it will only be the first success of what will turn out to be one of the most glorious phases of the character, and without a doubt the most defining.

If Bullseye’s previous appearances were shocking, from now on every time he appears in these panels to say hello it will also be to leave a moment in the reader’s memory, whether he’s fighting or simply being the charming assassin we all know. And what can we say about it? PinDaredevil’s other nemesis, the crime boss of impossible proportions, and the moment when we see him in his underwear tackle a pile of putty with a clean slap…

history of comics

Although the whole scene with Miller and Janson in this series is one of the most remembered in the history of Marvel ComicsIt is in this volume that we will find the precise moment in which, after Miller takes over the duties of screenwriter, the dice fit together and the mechanism begins to work. And it is curious how evident the sudden change and increase in quality is. For this reason alone this volume is worth it.

It must also be said that at the end of the volume we find an appreciable story with the Black Widow as the protagonist, written by Ralph Macchio and designed by Paul Gulacywhich is a pleasure above all on a visual level and a real curiosity.

Him Volume published by Panini Comics The hardcover contains 360 color pages with a format of 17 x 26 cm. and includes the translation of the American edition of numbers 159 to 172 of Daredevil and number 25 of Bizarre Adventuresin addition to all the covers of the included issues, an introduction written by Charles Soule and a juicy extra section at the end. The recommended retail price is €42 and it was released in July 2024.

Marvel Masterpieces. Daredevil by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson 2 of 4

One of the most influential periods not only in Marvel history, but in the entire history of comics. Frank Miller remade the myth of the Man Without Fear, first illustrating Roger McKenzie’s scripts with his artistic partner Klaus Janson and then taking over as writer and artist.

Miller grinds out the grit of the streets of New York on every page, mixing superheroes with the dark tone of noir thrillers. DD tackles the psychotic side of Doctor Octopus, Hulk, Gladiator and Bullseye, before Miller introduces a new icon: the assassin Elektra! Her tempestuous relationship with Matt Murdock will form the unforgettable backdrop to DD’s war against the Kingpin.

Authors: Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, Steve Ditko, Ralph Macchio, Paul Gulacy, David Michelinie, Michael Fleisher and Roger McKenzie