Sunday Pin-Up
March 30, 2008 by The Fortress Keeper
Daredevil by John Romita Jr. & Al Williamson
Ever since Frank Miller redefined Daredevil in the 1980s, Marvel writers and artists have taken an almost sadistic glee in tearing Matt Murdock’s life apart.
Although the stories weren’t exactly happy-go-lucky, we liked the Ann Nocenti • JRJR • Al Williamson run because it took the spiritual components of “Born Again” and explored them to the point that Mephisto - who would seemingly be out of place in an urban-based strip like Daredevil or … Spider-Man - actually became an effective reoccurring character.
Another key point to the run’s success was JRJR’s development as an artist. Following an eye-opening stint on X-Men, Romita Jr. refined his style to the point where he is easily the best “action guy” in the business today.
In an era where static, photo-realistic art has threatened to make super-hero comics as exciting as a Brothers Hildebrandt calendar, Romita Jr.’s thrill-packed renderings are always a pleasure to the Keeper’s eyes.
