With so many super hero shows and movies out there right now, we’re bound to get a few duds along the way. The law of averages simply demands it. From the very first frame of the very first episode, it’s thankfully obvious Daredevil isn’t one.
Instead of relying on the action to shove it along, DD gives us quiet moments with Murdock, Foggy, and Karen to make us really care about them. Sure this has been done with a lot of other super hero stuff. But that doesn’t make it any easier to pull off, especially when you make it work for your villain as well.
I don’t know whose decision it was to make Kingpin fidgety, somewhat scattered, and more than a little vulnerable. But all of it works. It gives him more layers, makes him more human, more … relatable. Which, really, is one of the best types of villains you can have. I found myself hanging onto that character’s every word, every action, even more than the protagonists. I haven’t cared that much about a bad guy since Swearengen from the first season of Deadwood. Vanessa fell a little flat sometimes, especially her flip when she saw Fisk bombing Hell’s Kitchen. But there is only so much you can do in 13 episodes.
A great accomplishment for the creators, and an awesome grab for Netflix. I’m really looking forward to the next season, as well as their next Marvel series.
Check out Superheroes in Prose #11: The Princess of Atlantis, on sale now!