The fine line between grit and glamour

Does anyone remember the film Daredevil (2003)? Ben Affleck had sort of immortalised the protagonist in a performance that went into oblivion like Eric Bana in Hulk (2003), another victim replaced by Edward Norton (The Incredible Hulk).  

Peeking into Daredevil’s origin, creators Stan Lee, Bill Everett and Jack Kirby developed the character Matt Murdock, a Hell’s Kitchen resident blinded by a radioactive substance. Matt’s surviving senses exceeded human ability. Boxer Jack Murdock, his father, is killed by gangsters when he refused to throw a fight. Matt then adopts the dual role of a lawyer and the vigilante Daredevil, ‘the Man without Fear’.  

Writer/artist Frank Miller (Sin City) placed the super-hero in realistic settings. Miller’s worthiest successor in artwork is Tim Sale, who revisits Daredevil’s origins in Jeph Loeb’s non-campy story Daredevil: Yellow.  

It begins with Matt Murdock thinking about his old flame Karen Page. Her recent death drowns him in remorse and retrospection as he arrives at the abandoned Fogwell Gym, where Matt’s father used to train. The former specifically recalls the time when Jack had just won ten boxing matches rigged by manager Sweeney. He wants to enter the big league by defeating Creel though Sweeney had told him to take a dive. Jack’s subsequent victory brings forth severe consequences. Sweeney and his associate Slade murder him, but the court dismisses the charges against them due to lack of evidence.  

Vengeance consumes Matt. Jack’s bright yellow boxing robe inspires him to weave the Daredevil costume in that colour scheme. At the same time, Franklin “Foggy” Nelson and Matt enjoy light-hearted moments in their law firm. Secretary Karen Page adds a warm touch to the story too.  

Daredevil’s bright garb contrasts against the shades of grey cityscapes. Tim Sale perfectly blends the classic colouring system with Frank Miller’s style. Jeph Loeb’s lines and other subtext are in harmony with Sale’s art. Just when every comic book title, including Daredevil, reaches a stage of storyline and character saturation, and mutate into sick soap operas, Loeb and Sale expertly bring back the retro feel.  

Regarding the narrative, Daredevil’s entry is not presented in a stylish manner. The focus is more on drama, and Matt’s loneliness is reflected by empty streets and an abandoned boxing gym. When the flashbacks cut in, vibrant colours create an opposing look and feel. As the story progresses, the grey shades catch up with the bleak turn of events. Daredevil wore a sun-like yellow costume when he was happier. Ultimately, Matt switches over to red, which is something like a star going through various phases reaching its red giant stage. Each part of the graphic novel is named after some aspect of the boxing game, the key words being championship, ring, ropes and the final bell.  

In other media, Jennifer Garner continued Ben Affleck’s legacy through the unsuccessful spin-off Elektra (2005). Only Marvel Comics super-hero franchises like X-Men (2000-09), Spider-Man (2002-07) and Iron Man (2008) still stand tall at

the box office. Maybe film directors should take a cue from Daredevil:

Yellow to come up with gritty yet glamorous tales.  

— Nithin D Koshy blogs at www.atlasreborn.blogspot.com