Chris Samnee's Daredevil Artist's Edition

 Cover to Art Book

 Cover to Script Book

 Slipcase

 Pages 2-3 Art Book

 Page 1 Script Book

Pages 2-3 Script Book

This is the third Artist’s Edition book I’ve done with the character Daredevil. I’ve grown quite fond of him over the length of our relationship. He does seem to take a lot more chances, then I’m comfortable with though.

This project was a little different and unique because it consisted of designing 2 books plus a slipcase. The “Art” book was done in the traditional vertical format, whereas the “Script” book was done horizontally. Both books come packaged in a slipcase. The Art book contains issues #23-#27 of Chris Samnee’s original art pages minus the word balloons. Following each issue are Samnee’s layouts for that particular issue. In the Script book are Mark Waid’s written pages, which were handed over to Samnee who made thumbnails and little sketches on each of those pages. These 2 books are really a tutorial on how to create a comic-book.

The color scheme of the book is a nod to the red and black of Daredevil’s costume. The design silhouettes of the characters create a strong dynamic visual. The images contained inside the silhouettes are both a juxtaposition and relational. I believe there is a kinetic bold aesthetic throughout. The bold geometric shapes are an homage to the Bauhaus school of design (1919-1933). The type fonts I used are Spartan and Montserrat. The san serif fonts are distinct and clean. Both could be considered distant cousins to the Futura family. Which by the way, is a product of the Bauhaus era. Along with the double D logo, there are a few other design elements that tie the 2 books and slipcase together. The “front” cover of the slipcase shares the same image as the back-cover of the Art book. You do have to squint a little, because the image on the back cover is screened back and a little more subtle. That same image is used on the framed border on the front cover (again subtly)! Samnee’s art to me is reminiscent of a cross between Paul Smith, and Alex Toth. On it’s own, it’s very bold and graphic, I wanted the design of the book to work in harmony with his art.