By Adam Vega
What is it about the gritty, shadowy, and darkened dim world of New York that fascinates us so much? Is it that film noir look or mysterious atmospheric realm that draws us into the unknown? That’s what separates Netflixs’ Daredevil from the rest of the live action Marvel characters. Although part of the same universe as The Avengers, Charlie Cox portrays blind lawyer Matt Murdock in a way that separates Daredevil into his sub-genre of super-hero fandom. This grim New York tales\ represents the everyday “humans” living in a world of omnipotent beings, but emphasizes more on a sub-story of human-suffering, human-crime, and human-personality that connects the audience into a related manner.
This rendition of Matt Murdock shows us that although radioactive waste has heightened Daredevils other senses beyond it potential, he himself must hone and perfect his body and mind against an unjust world that will continue to push you down no matter how hard you struggle. It is because of this, Charlie Cox portrays how flawed and imperfect the human body can be, but is the “body” all that we can depend on?
The flip side to this question refers to Deborah Ann Woll’s depiction of Karen Page, and how Matt Murdock, along with her express the need and yearning of a justice system that can be fought in the court of law. This series helps the viewer with the realization that although flashy street fights, and choreographed fisticuffs demonstrate the inner fantasy to fight back against those who prey on the weak and innocent, we as people must often conduct ourselves in a mindful manner that goes beyond slugging out another “bad guy.” Eldon Henson’s Foggy Nelson helps demonstrate this by breaking the “comic relief” stigma the character as endured since 1964, by showcasing himself as Matts law-partner without the goofy side-kick persona. This engulfs the audience into a relationship with this ensemble by expressing how the “every-day” person can make a difference in a mad world that doesn’t always make things the easiest for us.
Moving on to the charismatic Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk a.k.a. The Kingpin of Crime, we are reminded why every heroes tale has the villain that must have a characteristic trait that makes them just as compelling as the hero. Wilson Fisk in this series seems to bring a more eccentric and sophisticated image that slightly makes this rendition of the kingpin a man with social anxiety who tries to keep a kingdom together. A man like any other villain who pursues a greedy obsession that puts others in jeopardy, but simultaneously does it in a very avant garde sensibility that foreshadows an enigmatic characteristic trait.
The villain in this case is as fascinating as the hero, by which both are shrouded in mystery. A mystery that leaves the audience with a craving of who these two men are, and just how far they will go to meet their objective? Just like Daredevil’s first black vigilante suit evolving into the crimson attire we come accustomed to viewing, the series has a lot more character development to embark on. This is what makes for an evoking interest to this series, and the real interpretation of Daredevil that manifests right off the panels and into our world.
