If comic books could claim any one single merit, it would be the ability to bring lyricism back to popular fiction. Now, some may be scratching their heads at such an assessment. They may be thinking I am being a little too esoteric in my description of the value of comic books and comic storytelling. Actually, I am simply making a statement of fact. Far too often, the world of paperback novels and prose fiction is rife with banal, flat, and dull storytelling. I think the sheer dullness of most works has contributed greatly to the publishing industry being on its back now. Yes, I know with high unemployment the concept of purchasing a $30 hardcover that is a whopping 198 pages is absurd. (It would be absurd if you had a million dollars to spend for that matter) But, don’t kid yourself. The lazy publishing of books lacking any depth certainly contributed to the publishing industry’s decline. That is why I find comic books so refreshing. There is a lot of depth and artistry found in the material. Simply put, comic writers are not lazy. They do not coast through the motions. If only some of them could should a little more self-discipline and not allow their internal anger and weak self-esteem issues to rise to the surface into character dialogue and drag their work down. (That is another story for another day folks) Sometimes, you will find a little gem within the writing of a solid author and this is evident in Alexander Irvine’s work in DAREDEVIL NOIR #4.

There is a sequence where the Kingpin asks Daredevil “Why do you come here in costume when I known who you are?” Daredevil provides no response to this and The Kingpin continues on saying “Because you costume allows you to pretend that baser parts of yourself can be put on and taken off at will.”

Those are some pretty strong words and we will look at them a little more in depth in our next installment.