Originally Posted by
macjr33
I like that Daredevil, generally, operates on his own. I am glad that I only need to read one book to keep up on Matt vs. having to buy all the cross-over tie in stuff to keep track for what was going on. It's also being on his own that I think allows for writers to take more risks and not be as subject to editorial mandate.
Not to say that I don't like the occasional cross-over such as War of Realms; however, I am glad that is not the norm. I also like when he does team up with other "street-level" heroes (or "people-level" as said in the latest issue) such as Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, Spider-Man, etc. Matt has some great interactions with these characters and, in some ways, Matt is presented a bit as the leader of street level heroes in NYC.
As for him being low-tier or feeling outside the Marvel Universe, I don't see that as an issue. It's a nice counter-balance to all the Avengers and cosmic stories that are being told. Yes, we need the Avengers saving the universe, but guess what? We also need someone dealing with the crime bosses, drug dealers and corruption. Plus I love how tied Matt is to his city and the people in it.
As for the quality, show me another single character that has been as well written for as long as Matt? Yes, I know the 90's were rough, but it was rough for comics in general. As for overall books, there probably is a compelling argument for Claremont's X-Men being the best, but that is a team book. Certainly since around 2000 there hasn't been a more consistently good book (excusing the brief drop-off that was Shadowland).
Do some of the writers riff off of Miller? In some ways, yes; however, I think the best ones (like Bendis/Brubaker) were able to do it in a way that was fresh and modern. Waid was able to do an almost 180 from Miller and deliver an amazing run. Daredevil: Yellow is also a great example of taking the early years of Daredevil and using it to create a great story.