Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: July 2000
Cover Price: $2.25
Writer: Tony Isabella
Artist: Eddy Newell
In 2000, Marvel published a series of one-shots that revealed what Marvel Comics would be like in the Marvel Universe.
A supernatural vigilante stalks the night, searching for the crime boss know as the Warlord. Armed with ‘the Sight’ – the psychic power that allows the demon Cleombrontos to expose the true essence of any man – Daredevil questions shady characters looking for the crimelord. But, this is no ordinary demon that inhabits our hero. Certainly not! Cleombrontos caught a glimpse of heaven and at that moment, vowed to do whatever he could to earn a place there. So, using stuntman James Fyre as a host, the two have waged a war on crime in New York City.
In a bold move, the Warlord kidnaps one of Fyre’s friends – luring the hero right to his door. However, he and his forces weren’t expecting a two-pronged attack from Fyre and the demon. And, with ‘the Sight’ turned on him, the Warlord goes mad with the knowledge of where he will be spending eternity.
At the time this comic was released, Daredevil’s identity had yet to be leaked to the public. So, comic creators in the Marvel Universe had little knowledge of the urban vigilante, Daredevil and how he operated. So, embellishing on his acrobatic skills they assigned him a secret identity as a stuntman. They also expounded upon his unknown-to-them Catholic faith by incorporating a reformed demon into his war on crime.
The true fun of this concept is when it’s about a hero that the public in the Marvel Universe wouldn’t be able to know about – so the writers would then have to make up most of the story to fill in the missing blanks. This issue is a shining example of it. At its heart, you’ve got basically the same concept as the real Daredevil – an urban vigilante. But it’s neat to see the character approached from a whole new supernatural angle. I think I would have appreciated a more developed villain than a regular crime boss but, I suppose there’s only so much ground you can cover in one issue. This concept certainly has a lot more that could be done with it in the future but unfortunately, a re-visitation is quite unlikely – so don’t hold your breath.
On Ebay: Marvels Comics | Daredevil | Tony Isabella | Eddy Newell