TGIF

TGIF

Thank GOD It's Friday!

Today, Netflix released Marvel's latest Superhero Project, Daredevil.  It's amazing, and you should be watching it right now.  And since its Friday and its somewhat related, I thought I would bring this superhero into my TGIF for the week.

Mainstream comics typically shy away from being overtly religious.  Some have vague allusions to some spiritual religiosity, but mostly it keeps things fairly secular.  One case where that is not present is in the pages of Daredevil.  In the comics, Matt Murdock (AKA Daredevil) is a Catholic.  No vagueness about that. Religious language and imagery permeate the book.  He's the only superhero who is seen entering a church on a regular basis, let alone confession.
I find this interesting.  Since most characters of the marvel and dc universe aren't consistently affiliated with an organized religion, I would assume it would mean something to the character that he was. I would guess it would inform his actions and his belief system, and set him apart specially from other heroes in his moral code or methods of crime fighting. 
But it doesn't.  Not even a little bit.
Daredevil is not different at all, when compared to the moral code that most unaffiliated characters have.  He fights bad guys, helps people, and keeps doing it no matter the cost.  Same can be said of any superhero.  If anything is different about him, its the fact that he is often more brutal and violent with assailents than others, and tends to be on the darker side of the street. Does he fight crime for the pope or jesus, or based on any scripture? Not in any obvious or even implied way.
So, why is he made catholic then?  To me, its to give him a unique cultural flavor amidst his superhero bretheren. The visuals, rituals, and context of catholicism add a unique culture to the comic that adds some interest.  Also, the fact that he belongs to a church that has a strong fixation with satan makes it all the more interesting that he would want to be percieved as a devil. 
So why bring it up? Its there, and it ought to be looked at for what it is.  Daredevil is a great character and a great hero.  But he is a hero by his actions, not b his faith.  His faith makes him unique, and gives him a cultural background that is less ubiquitous and more identifiable. 
Go watch the show!

Creators: Chris Samnee

Creators

A growing list of inspirational artists, writers, poets, filmmakers, and creatives.

Chris Samnee

I like old art, ok?  I like old art and art that looks old.  There is something about that black lined work that is a joy to behold.  Stylization is important as an artist.  To have a visual signature (along with a regular signature) on your work that people can recognize upon a glance is a great quality to have.  And Chris Samnee does.

Samnee has a graceful use of heavy shadows.  Lots of artists throw around the heavy shadows bit.  some better than others, and his is definitely of the former.  His inking also shows that he knows when to leave a line broken, because the firm thick line around every thing look only works for some. 

Apart from being a fun artist to view, he also has the straight art chops to back up his stylization: figure study, composition, and value.  He also has wonderfully expressive faces as well as compositions.  There is something casual about the work that he does that makes it feel easy.  though I know it is not.

But enough with pinups.  Anybody can draw a nice pinup.  What separates the great from the good is the ability to carry a consistent and beautiful style through the trenches of the comic book interiors.  Samnee has been wowing me every month with Daredevil (don't be surprised to see two other major contributors to that book show up here).  Samnee clearly ha fun showing the jolly devil kicking butt as well as having his head removed... literally

 Some of my favorite panels of his are his most bizarre.  In spite of it's strangeness, it is completly clear.

This guy has an old school style mixed with a modern polish.  I here that he an Mark Waid collaborated on a Rocketeer comic together, I have to check that out!

Well said Antman!

Go on, enjoy his stuff!