While I’ve found the recent superhero renaissance on cinema screens enchanting to watch, I haven’t had the same response to its television equivalents. Arrow never grabbed me — too rich with CW cliches to warrant a real investment of time. Gotham chose to focus on the least interesting corner of DC’s universe. And while I’ve come to enjoy Marvel’s current ABC slate (Agents of SHIELD and Agent Carter), both have yet to “wow” me. Television is in a second golden age, where the wide variety of different networks and avenues produce one of a kind shows. So how depressing is it that, so far, every major TV comic book adaptation has been from a traditional network, steep in their worst tendencies for cheap budgets and procedural storytelling? But now Netflix has entered the fray, partnering with Marvel Studios to bring us Daredevil — and with it, an exciting new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The first, and really most exciting thing to say about Daredevil is that it’s not another origin story. At least, not entirely. The pilot episode opens with Matt Murdock’s infamous childhood accident (a car accident that blinded him with radioactive chemicals) but quickly cuts to him as an adult, already in action on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen. It feels like an active step to skip the pointless first act of most superhero narratives; there’s no waiting around for the moment of inspiration, or long training montages. The character is in action, yet he’s still got room to become the icon that comic fans love. Flashbacks promise to highlight his early upbringing, but there’s no delay in getting to the meat of this franchise.
For those unfamiliar with the world of Daredevil (or who may only know the character from a certain Ben Affleck film from the mid-2000s), it takes place in the rough NYC streets of Hell’s Kitchen. A city bruised from the events of The Avengers, this is a hive of criminal operations that thrive in the shadows. The stakes aren’t world-ending doom, but rather the personal destruction caused by organized crime. Matt Murdock is a lawyer by day, and hand-to-hand vigilante by night. Between these two personas, he strives to bring justice into this corrupt circle.
Daredevil brings some of modern television’s biggest strengths to the MCU. Unlike its past TV attempts, this has a distinct style and flavor all its own. It’s dark and gritty, without ever seeping into Dark Knight levels of self-seriousness. If Guardians Of The Galaxy is one end of the tonal spectrum,  Daredevil sits at the other. Yet both share an unspoken spirit that links all of these disparate Marvel franchises. Drew Goddard (Cabin In The Woods) created the series, as well as penned this pilot episode. He brings a sharp tongue to the dialogue, which while occasionally grating has room to grow into something great. Charlie Cox (Boardwalk Empire) plays Matt Murdock, and helps to sell the more introspective end of the character without losing charm.
The world of Hell’s Kitchen is set apart through the show’s bold directorial choices: It’s a cold, dark city that is often only illuminated by dying yellow street lights, harsh white neon and striking red blood. In the day, it’s as normal as any other Marvel fare. But at night, Daredevil shines. Action is shot with a confident hand, focusing on choreography instead of sharp cuts. The inherently down-to-earth style of the show keeps everything strictly practical, ensurig every moment looking great.
It’s impossible to tell from a pilot episode alone if Marvel’s Daredevil will hold up for an entire season. But I’m personally very excited about this series, not just as a standalone product, but as the starting point for the rest of Netflix’s Marvel Universe fare.
Follow Chris Berg on Twitter @Mushroomer25