We discussed books highlights of 2019, now it’s time for movies and TV-series. A few of the favourites and a few of the disappointments in both categories, to round up the past year in media :).
I haven’t had much time for movies and series. I’ve watched a nice mix of old and new, and enjoyed quite many of them – though only few made a lasting impression. The absolute winner in this category is…
Widely considered the best Daredevil comic storyline ever (just check the tvtropes site if you have any doubts), Born Again also holds the 11th place on the list of 100 Greatest Marvels of All Time. Ostensibly, this is the graphic novel which saved Daredevil series from closing down. And also the one which very heavily influenced the recent Netflix TV series and most probably will continue to do so.
A story in 7 parts, clearly designed as a whole, with one overarching story masterfully linked to Roman Catholic concepts of sin, guilt, salvation and redemption, plus the requisite and remarkably tasty additions of Apocalypse and Armageddon. That Catholic inspiration is very strong not only in the narrative, but also in the visuals; Mazzucchelli directly links Daredevil’s experience to the life and death of Christ, creating poignant images of Pieta, a bit unorthodox Holy Trinity or of the dead body of Christ. There are even very emotional portrayals of Mary, mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene. And a few mysteries along the way.
Piotrek: Daredevil. “The Man Without Fear”. One of the better known Marvel superheroes, created, no surprise there, by Stan Lee. His MCU cameos are sometimes annoying, but his is an impressive resume.
Back to Daredevil though. Matt Murdock is one of the most inspiring Marvel heroes. The only child of a single, poor father, blinded young, when a radioactive substance got into his eyes, he managed to create a dual persona of ace attorney and protector of New York’s innocents.
His blindness does not make him helpless. Just the opposite, as a result of the accident in which he lost his vision the rest of his senses were supernaturally heightened. This allowed him to become the protector of his neighborhood, New York’s Hell’s Kitchen district.
Ola: Daredevil, a TV series from Netflix, was the first in a planned string of MCU Netflix entries, soon to be followed by Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Punisher and Luke Cage, and leading to the team-up Defenders. I had watched a few MCU TV series, from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. through Agent Carter to Jessica Jones, and I can say with full responsibility that Daredevil is by far the best of the lot.
