Daredevil: The Man Without Fear

The origin of one of Marvel's more interesting superheroes is expertly delivered by Frank Miller's tight plot and some of John Romita Jr's best artwork.

Matt Murdock, left blind by an accident and raised by a single father who struggles as an amateur boxer with a career handled by the aptly named, The Fixer. When his father is murdered defending his last chance to make things good, Matt learns first hand what happens to those who live on the outer boundaries of the law.

Against all adversity, Matt rises to every challenge life throws at him and vowing to understand the rules the world runs by, he decides to study law. Notices by the mysterious Stick, who takes Matt under his wing, and teaches him ways to use his elevated senses which more than make up for his lack of sight.

As the years pass, the underworld figure Kingpin rises to the top of the family tree and takes organised crime to dirtier, darker and more profitable places. Reigning at the expense of innocent lives, his path crosses with Matt's on a personal level and Daredevil is born. From the deepest recesses of his own pain, Matt creates an avenger who will seek justice, protect the innocent and defend the law.

Stoic, self made and unique, Daredevil has a real mythological quality, being that his handicap becomes the source of his power. The Man Without Fear, unlike many origin stories which become nothing more than footnotes in a character's history, is a complete stand alone piece. Delving deep and creating complex characters who will ultimately play a greater part in Daredevil's future.