Kevin Smith Made comic book history when he took over writing Daredevil During the Marvel Knights initiative, but the revolutionary story almost did not happen. “Guardian Devil” was the story that brought DD back into the spotlight, however According to co-editor Jimmy Palmiotti, Smith was ready to abandon the book before it even began…
Appearing at the Dragon Con 2024 panel “Daredevil: 60-Year Anniversary,” Marvel Knights co-founder Jimmy Palmiotti revealed the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the “Guardian Devil” story. There was much fanfare when it was announced that Smith was going to write the relaunch of Daredevil In 1998, before a wrench was thrown in the plans of the creative team.
(Kevin) The original idea was to have Daredevil regain his sight“, Palmiotti explained, before the team was in a problem: “Before we launched the book (with Marvel Knights), Scott Lobdell had this story first.” The story would be “Flying Blind,” which appeared in Daredevil #376-379 – Just months before the Marvel Knights relaunches.
Kevin Smith’s “Guardian Devil” Story Almost Didn’t Happen
Written by Scott Lobdell and featuring art by Cully Hamner, “Flying Blind” sees Matt Murdock brainwashed by SHIELD while on a deep undercover assignment in France. Part of his brainwashing convinces the unsuspecting Murdock that he can still see, before his memories return at the end of the story and everything goes back to normal. Although the exact details of Smith’s original story are not known, it is understandable that the filmmaker was cold feet when the discovery that the story directly leads into his also featured Matt Murdock regaining his sight. Although having his name attached was a big selling point for Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti’s new Marvel Knights line, Kevin Smith pulled out of the project.
It is absurd to think that “Guardian Devil” almost did not happen, however Palmiotti’s story of how Smith almost abandoned the book is a good reminder of how the creative process works.
Even though Smith initially quit, a “Expletive-laden phone call“Von Palmiotti eventually convinced the filmmakers to come back and find a new story. That story was “Guardian Devil,” a landmark eight-parter from Smith, Quesada and Palmiotti, which sees Matt Murdock become the guardian of a child who is supposed to To be the next Messiah. It is finally revealed to be a push by the supervillain Mysterio, but the The story ultimately has very real consequences, such as the death of Daredevil’s longtime girlfriend, Karen Page. Overall, Marvel Knights was a huge success, eventually leading to Joe Quesada becoming the editor-in-chief at Marvel and turning the company’s fortunes around for the new millennium.
“Flying Blind”: A brainwashed Matt Murdoch regains his sight
It is absurd to think that “Guardian Devil” almost did not happen, however Palmiotti’s story of how Smith almost abandoned the book is a good reminder of how the creative process works. If one story doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean that the other one isn’t waiting around the corner; All that matters is to sit down and do the work, and the rest will follow. If Smith had left the book before it began, the “Guardian Devil” storyline would never have seen the light of day, and Marvel Comics might be in a very different position today. luckily, Kevin Smith had to say his Daredevil History after all, and comic book history is made.
Source: Jimmy Palmiotti, “Daredevil: 60-Year Anniversary,” Dragon Con 2024