Daredevil Visionaries: Frank Miller, Vol. 3

Daredevil Visionaries #3

by Frank Miller (Writer, Illustrator)

The concluding volume of the must-have series! The action, drama and artistic brilliance continue as we reprint Daredevil #183 - #191, plus What If? #28 ('What If Elektra Had Lived?') and #35 ('What If Daredevil Joined S.H.I.E.L.D.?) - and as a special treat, an Elektra story from Bizarre Adventures #28! It's more amazing visuals and gut-wrenching twists from the master of crime noir as Matt Murdock tussles with the Black Widow, collides with the Punisher, and has a sickening showdown with the Hand as they try to kill Stick and resurrect Elektra! Plus: an intro by collaborator Klaus Janson and a new cover by Frank!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Comic Book, Superheroes, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Frank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I know how you feel, but you can't take the law into your own hands."

Says the lawyer moonlighting as as masked vigilante. This and more Bronze Age Daredevil awesomeness from Frank Miller and Klaus Janson.

I must say that Matt and Heather Glenn have a really bizarre relationship. He constantly ignores or cancels on her. She breaks up and makes up within the week. Then he does something unspeakable and asks her to marry him. This isn't totally unexpected following what happens to Elektra, but , is he that mean, or that...blind? Sorry, had to say it.

Roulette was kind of a PSA about gun safety and child neglect, but it was also dark and intensely introspective, addressing the "gun issue" as it is with Batman, with DD playing Russian Roulette with Bullseye nearly paralyzed in a hospital bed.

The What If stories were if DD had been rescued by Tony Stark at "the accident" and become a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent instead. The other, if Elektra... Although, isn't that irrelevant in a super hero comic? "Death is but a door. Time is but a window. I'll be back." -Ghostbusters II.

Fun and exciting stuff overall. If you're new to Daredevil, Frank Miller is a great place to start.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 stars. This volume concludes Miller's run on Daredevil with issues 183-191 (together with some DD related work on What If and others). Pretty good, but not up to the level of the 168-182 run showcased in Volume 2.

[Richard Guion · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories take place after the classic death of Elektra - and in many ways they are superior! Miller stopped doing full pencils on Daredevil, probably so he could work on the Wolverine mini-series with Chris Claremont. Miller took a shortcut by producing pencil layouts which Klaus Janson followed to pencil and ink the stories. I saw these layouts at a convention in the 1980s - they were beautiful, amazingly detailed, and had the full pure beauty of Miller's art. At least one page is represented here and you can see how closely Janson followed Miller's layout.

For the stories themselves - Murdock has a breakdown after the tragic events of Daredevil 181. He convinces himself that he should marry Heather Glenn, probably the worst romantic pick he ever had. Matt Murdock is probably the most flawed Marvel hero, he usually makes very bad choices in his personal life - which his mentor Stick comments on, saying "the kid's head is a mess". But we get more background on Stick, his little group of good ninjas including Stone, even more background on Elektra's past. It's fascinating material, even decades later, let's hope the Netflix Daredevil show mines this material in a deeper way.

Daredevil #191 is one of the best Marvel comics ever produced, and it is very dark. Daredevil sits alone with Bullseye (incapacitated in a body cast and unable to move or even talk) in a hospital room, playing a game of Russian roulette as he makes a confession to his greatest enemy. It's really a statement on superheroes, do they really save people or do their actions really just cause more violence spread throughout the world?

[aLejandRø · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este tomo presenta los últimos números de la primera serie de Frank Miller al mando de Daredevil continuando con sus diferentes tramas que poco a poco confluyen hacia un gran final.
Algunas entregas de este volumen (185 al 190) son dibujadas por Klaus Janson (gran entintador si los hay) sobre bocetos de Miller y no llegan en mi opinión al nivel de los anteriores.
El encuentro con Punisher marcara sus futuros enfrentamientos y es en el numero 190 donde se relata la historia de Elektra que pone fin a la saga que lleva su nombre y cierra de alguna manera la serie.
A manera de epilogo aparece el 191 “Russian Roulette” , punto mas alto a mi manera de ver de este volumen, donde Miller presenta una especie de contrapunto entre un Daredevil acabado y Bullseye postrado y parapléjico en un hospital consecuencia de su ultimo enfrentamiento.
Pocos personajes del “mundo superheroico” hacen gala de una historia editorial tan pareja como la del abogado de “Hell's Kitchen” y sin dudas uno de sus puntos culminantes es esta primera etapa del gran Frank Miller.

[Hamish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like Frank started to spin his wheels after Elektra died, and to a certain extent the run just kind of petered out. But goddamn it looks pretty! This was around the time that Frank switched to doing just rough layouts and Klaus Janson took over the actual pencils in addition to the inking. And while Klaus brings his own shortcomings with him, he's much more solid at the fundamentals than 'ol Mr. Miller. Miller's talent was always in his layouts anyways, and those are intact, but combined with stronger pencils. Everything gets pitch black, and a lot of the images are legitimately creepy. There are whole pages I want to make copies of and give to various artists and point like "THAT'S how you do it!"

So yeah, the writing lacks a little oomph, but it's still dumb, enjoyable fun. Except the subplots. Frank had no idea how to write a non-contrived subplot that didn't just seem awkwardly shoe-horned in. Also issue 191, which I loved as a kid and thought was incredibly profound, is, I see now as an adult, terribly preachy and heavy-handed.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly, the final volume of Frank Miller's original run is sort of a let-down. I mean, when you start off with an afterschool special about the dangers of PCP (#183-184), you're not in good territory, even if it does feature Daredevil's first altercation with the Punisher.

With that said, there is good and innovative material here. The all-Foggy issue is fun (#185) and then we get a very visual depiction of Matt's sensory problems (#186), foreshadowing Mark Waid's great extension of this idea decades down the line. Finally, the Widow & Chaste issues (#188-189) almost recall the strengths of the previous volume, but with all the resurrections (and Widow's literal disintegration) it also feels a bit like parody at times: an uncomfortable mix.

However, this volume contains what may have been the best issue of Miller's original run on Daredevil: Elektra's resurrection (#190). It's a pitch perfect story that is a beautiful portrait of who Elektra is, and how she is changed by Matt's love. Wonderful. (And not spoiled for many years int he Marvel universe.)

[Marc Casson · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion this the weakest of the Frank Miller - Visionary trilogy although it does contain possibly my favourite DareDevil stories, 'Roulette' where Matt forces Bullseye into a game of Russian Roulette. Everything about this story is excellent from the dialogue to the artwork to the scripting.

The bulk of the book is made up with Matt mourning Elektra's death and the events leading up to eventual ressurection. Also included is some interesting 'what if' tales to pad out the book.

[Daniel McTaggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy! The aftermath of the shocking conclusion of the second volume! Here, Daredevil sorts through the wreckage his life has become. The tragedy here is he doesn't mind being a wreck. His emotional state is such that he has no concern of the collateral damage everyone else in his life suffers as a result of his loss. For that alone, I had to read this book. He seems to walk the line between hero and sociopath as well as he slides on guywires better than tightrope walkers in the circus. Yet there is a reckoning coming. Either he accepts it or lets it destroy him. There is no second place, only win or lose. Miller puts the hero through painful paces in this third volume. Because of the descent of character, it doesn't have quite the luster of the second volume. But this yarn is well worth the pocket diving, my friends. Finish this one and then find "Born Again" in trade.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume wrapped up one of the greatest comic runs of all time. I think Miller was ready to explore other characters by the time his run ended, but it was still better than most books on the stand. This volume wraps up the Elektra saga, but in a way it was a new beginning. We also get Daredevil vs. The Punisher by Frank Miller. It just doesn't get any better.

These three volumes represent the pinnacle of monthly comics. Highest possible recommendation.

[Jim Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Volume 2's legendary run of #168-#181, culminating in Elektra's iconic death, the run fizzles out for most of Volume 3 and delves into more typical fodder before returning to form for the final few. The concluding 'Roulette' issue is a highlight not only of this volume, but of Miller's career.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an "ok" read. It was fun, and it was entertaining. A good look at Frank Miller's work other than things like Sin City. The comics compiled here come from the early 80s, which for me brought back the memories, so to speak. The stories were mostly on the average side though; I did not find anything terribly spectacular, but if you are looking for a little comic book action to pass the time, well worth it. This is one to borrow rather than buy, unless you can get a second-hand copy, which I did. On the plus side, the art is very good, which makes up for the average stories in my humble opinion. And Daredevil is always a popular hero.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's some interesting stuff here, including two "What If"s (one of which, about Elektra surviving, is far better than the other, about Daredevil becoming a SHIELD agent) and a Bizarre Stories featuring Elektra, as well as a great story centered around a game of Russian Roulette between Daredevil and Bullseye, but there is also a fair amount of clunk: the two-issue angel dust arc was silly, and Punisher just kind of disappears.

Also, how many damn times does Stick have to tell Daredevil that the radiation had nothing to do with his heightened senses and his radar before he actually believes it?

[Dave Glorioso · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very uneven. Several volumes such as Stiltman are horrible. The Black Widow storyline disappointing.
The Roulette storyline great and Stick and SHIELD okay.
I always liked his involvement of Elektra and Kingpin.

My overall impression of Frank Miller's run is read issue 181.
The rest is hit and miss.

[J.M. Giovine · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a 4.5 out of 5, but I’m also leaving the 5/5 rate in here since, well, this is the final part of the acclaimed Frank Miller run of Daredevil’s regular series. The guy came to change the game, as seen in the issues collected in the previous book, and here, things mostly wrap for the conclusion not of the character’s story, but as a final statement of its author’s contribution to his mythology, legacy, and depiction, all of this after issue #168.
Starting right away with the cliffhanger event that Miller teased in issue #182 with the escape of Punisher from prison, here Frank goes on a rampage against a gang of drug dealers, which connects to Matt’s investigation of a kid killed because of the use of a brand-new drug in the streets that forces you to see your greatest fears. So, eventually Punisher and Daredevil will meet- and clash-, for the very first time in comic book history, forging one of the greatest, most iconic duos in the industry. Also, Matt is struggling with Elektra’s murder, obsessed with the idea of her possible revival, which will eventually be a threat caused by “The Hand”, who are back looking for revenge against Daredevil, Stick, and his warriors. Also, Kingpin is at the top of his game as the official crime boss of the city but confronted by the need for a new lead assassin, which will result in a hilarious mini story in which Foggy Nelson is believed to be a top-notch hitman. All that while Matt is suffering a breakdown in which his heightened senses are fading away possibly due to another exposure to the same radioactive isotope that enhanced them back in his childhood, which collides with his fiancé, Heather, who is dealing with a corporative dilemma that might ruin her.
While not as intense, memorable or constantly dynamic as the previous “Visionaries” book, Miller’s final 9 issues in his run contain as much substance, and great “Daredevil” moments as one could expect. The stakes were raised, and the final two issues- which have the highly anticipated resurrection of Elektra, and one intense, and thought-provoking final interaction with Bullseye, still at the hospital-, possess some of the best content ever put on a Daredevil comic book, specially issue #191, which presents one of Miller’s hardest, most critical commentaries towards the influence of super-heroes in the people who admires them. A straight up perfect send-off from Miller before his triumphant return to the franchise in “Born Again”.
This time, half the issues were now penciled, inked, and colored by Klaus Janson, who prior to this book he was only contributing as inker and colorist- sometimes- to the series. The final issues were illustrated by Miller, but “Roulette” exchanges Janson for Terry Austin in the inking department, and the “What If…” issues are also an addition by the classic team. Speaking of which, the “What If…” collected in this book are great alternatives version of “what if Elektra lived”, and “what if Daredevil was an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, not to forget the “Bizarre Adventure #28”, which depicts the very first solo “Elektra” adventure in a Marvel Comic, in beautiful black and white art, also by Miller.
While not as rich in content as the previous book, this still delivers the highlights of what the series can achieve. If I’m honest, my only struggle with Miller’s arc was the treatment of the relationship between Heather and Matt. The two are about to get married but that’s ditched thanks to the aid of Foggy and Natasha Romanoff, however, the character of Heather is so obnoxious and useless for the overall plot. It isn’t like dealing with love interests such as Elektra, Natasha, Karen Page, just to name a few; Heather is more like a spoiled child, average “trophy wife”, and all the times she appears in frame I cannot help but to think “oh Matt, you deserve way better”. I don’t know, it’s one of the least effective love-interests I’ve seen in comic books, and I’m glad Miller ended that relationship, even if it took him his entire arc to do so. Other than that, it is still a memorable run to conclude, this final book truly goes full circle with it, and the series is finally placed in an ideal spot for the next writer to move forward and complement the evolution of this hero. Thankfully, it won’t be the last time Miller returned to provide newer narrative expansions and contributions to this wonderful series.

[Krzysztof Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Egmont uraczył mnie jako czytelnika, trzecim już tomem zebranych prac Franka Millera dodając od zacnego zbioru jeszcze dwa one shoty: Elektra Lives Again oraz Daredevil: Love and War.

Stanowi to całkiem łakomy kąsek dla kolekcjonerów i wielbicieli Diabła z Hell's Kitchen, choć musicie przygotować się na wszechobecne zabiegi, które może i na początku lat 80. XX wieku robiły wrażenie, to dla współczesnych czytelników mogą trącić epoką kamienia łupanego. I tak w zasadzie jest.

Bo i tu fabuła czasami wędruje w dziwne rejony, a i logiki w tym brak, ale to jest urok tego typu pozycji. Mamy tu mnóstwo dialogów i wewnętrznych przemyśleń herosów, ale czy jest tu miejsce na rozwój bohaterów poza Mattem Murdockiem? Raczej nie, choć na łamach tych kilku zeszytów dzieje się w sumie naprawdę sporo.

Pierwszy segment swoją obecnością zaszczyca sam Punisher, a Matt będzie musiał rozwiązać sprawę chłopca, który został wrobiony w morderstwo. Sprawa okazuje się dość zawiła, bowiem niektóre aspekty wiedzy są w stanie umknąć nawet Śmiałkowi.

Dalej jest już tylko lepiej. Mamy krótka historyjkę, gdzie Foggy robi za chojraka i staje oko w oko z samym Kingpinem. Dla mnie clue programu było nieco rozwleczone starcie ze złoczyńcami z organizacji zwanej Dłonią. To tutaj mamy zdecydowanie najwięcej akcji. I do grona gościnnych występów dołącza Czarna Wdowa.

Matt będzie miał też problemy natury sercowej z niejaką Heather, choć i pewne dolegliwości związane z jego umiejętnościami także dadzą o sobie znać. W dodatku za bohaterem ciągnie się jego przeszłości i dawna utracona miłość, która Zajmnie tutaj sporo miejsca.

Na koniec Matt zagra jeszcze w ruletkę z Bulleye'em i będzie nam dane zobaczyć dwie historyjki na zasadzie co by było gdyby. W jednej Matt wkracza w szeregi S. H. I. E. L. D., a w drugiej widzimy namiastkę życia bohatera, gdyby Electra nie została zamordowana. Plus króciutki czarno-biały dodatek na końcu.

Mi się całość czytało zaskakująco przyjemnie, zresztą podobnie jak było przy tomie drugim. Nie jest to coś co trafi w gusta wielu osobom, bo i kreska w wykonaniu Jansona trąci naftaliną, ale jako przykład czegoś co zrobiono jeszcze w ubiegłej (jak dla komiksu) epoce sprawdza się świetnie.

Miller na pewno wyniósł Matta do pierwszej ligi, dzięki czemu mistrzostwo mogli mu potem zapewnić inni rysownicy. Jest to bardzo przyjemna pulpa, która stanowi wrota do tego jak to wszystko kiedyś wyglądało. Z sentymentu dla postaci daje 3.5/5.

[Przemysław Skoczyński · Rating 3 out of 5]

Są dwie perspektywy, z jakich można oceniać cały ten cykl. Czytając go krótko po premierze pewnie można było zachwycać się nowatorskimi rozwiązaniami, kadrowaniem, mozolnym wychodzeniem ze starej szkoły komiksowej, jak również wprowadzonymi przez Millera bohaterami, którzy z czasem stali się kanonicznymi dla opowieści o Daredevilu. Ja patrzę z perspektywy dzisiejszej. Będąc po lekturze świetnych runów Bendisa i Brubakera, trudno byłoby mi ten tytuł w 100% polecić, zbyt wiele tu mielizn i śladów naiwności dawnych komiksowych rozwiązań. Mam do tego naprawdę sporo szacunku, ale nie jest to coś, co przyprawiłoby mnie o szybsze bicie serca. Za to dołączone na końcu wspólne prace z Billem Sienkiewiczem i Lynn Varley to już zupełnie inna bajka. Nowatorskie, intrygujące, niepokojące i momentami kompletnie odjechane - coś co jest dla mnie ideałem tego typu opowieści. Przychodzą na myśl początkowe zeszyty runu Bendisa tworzone z Davidem Mackiem czy "Azyl Arkham" - Morrisona z rysunkami McKeana. Szkoda, że w tym zbiorze to jedynie ciekawostka

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using this as a stand in for the Frank Miller issues I read digitally between the end of the Epic Collection To Dare The Devil and Born Again - issues 177-191, 219, 226.

It’s so easy to see why Millers Daredevil is as iconic as it is. It took nearly 200 issues into the character but so much in this run is so foundational to the character. Miller adds new ideas as well as fixing up older ones, making them less of a joke and something to be treated with reverence — the difference between pre and post Miller Bullseye is staggering.

Not every issue is an absolute banger, and I didn’t love The Hand stuff a whole lot which I hoped I’d like more over what’s in the show which I’m even less of a fan of. But there are some special issues throughout that are so striking. The Bullseye vs Elektra issue is so brilliant with Bullseye as the narrator and being a double issue, and the essential final issue of Millers main run in 191 was edge of your seat material.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Roulette quite a lot, and the What If where Daredevil joins S.H.I.E.L.D. was decently interesting. The storyline with Stick was alright but fairly unmemorable, and the rest of this collection was so forgettable that I honestly don't remember details from issues I read less than a month ago. Still not sure why Frank Miller's Daredevil gets so much love. I can see how this was the starting point for a more interesting version of Daredevil, but there's a long way yet to go. Also, what is up with the romance novel styled covers for both this and the previous collection? 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Ryan Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off slow and depressing (I can't handle the 80's drug dealin', overdosin', kids with handguns scene...and the first 4 issues here are chalk-full of it), but there were a couple of gems in the middle, followed a whole lot of ninja action near the end. Definitely signs of Miller's Sin City coming through here. A product of it's time, for sure. And definitely still unique content for a Marvel title (and worthy of the "Visionaries" title), but this volume didn't hit me like Vol. 2 did.

[soonat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miller’s run hits peaks and stumbles, yet the ride never derails.
Elektra’s return is a single, heart-stopping note past love and lethal shadow fused in one breathtaking silhouette.
Yet the crown is the roulette Daredevil forces on Bullseye: a psychotic game of chance in a warehouse of shadows. Miller turns a simple fight into a symphony of dread, precision, and madness.
Uneven? Sure. Unforgettable? Absolutely.

[Rizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stuff as Miller wraps up his first run on Daredevil. So many classic stories here that would influence a generation to come. But it wasn't Miller's final stamp on Darevil of course, that would come with Born Again. Read it all!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally read the original FM run - just as much fun as I hoped!

[Rexhurne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few issues were masterwork tier, the rest a bit less in quality, even boring sometimes. Still a above average en enjoyable read.

[Revi · Rating 4 out of 5]

one comment -- "Stilt Man"? ... Stilt Man? That has to be one of the dumbest superheros.
otherwise, fun volume with fun cameos, entertaining story arc.

[Mike Bodak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole run volume 1-3 all must read. Read it, you won’t regret it.

[Nick Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[R.J. Huneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely will you see a hero more vulnerable than in these pages.

[Dillon Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

bro really can't have anything nice

[Lorenzo Amer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally done with the main part of Frank Miller’s run on Daredevil and it’s INCREDIBLE. I regret not reading this sooner. Roulette is easily my new favorite single issue of all time.

[One Flew · Rating 1 out of 5]

Daredevil does a bunch of boring whatever, read it if you're keen.
I just can't get into most the older comics, they're so bland, there is so much exposition and entirely dull. I respect Frank Miller's work in general and I know people regard his Daredevil run highly but this was a chore.