Lee Garbett's recent reimagining of Marvel's Daredevil has sparked excitement among fans. With a gritty, noir-inspired tone and fresh elements like Matt Murdock teaching law at Empire State University, Garbett enjoys total creative freedom from Marvel.
Garbett admits that he drew inspiration from his childhood love for Daredevil, particularly the Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr era, but sought to bring a new vision without directly referencing past works. His approach to the hero's appearance is both modern and respectful of tradition.
The artist places great importance on character design, especially when it comes to the villain Omen. Garbett describes his process as an evolution from game concept art into comic book illustration, highlighting the unique challenges of drawing heroes in full costumes versus in casual wear.
Reflecting on his journey, Lee reveals that his path to comics was not always clear until he discovered Frank Quitely’s work. This discovery inspired him to pursue a career in comics, leading to significant projects such as Batgirl and Spider-Man. His advice for aspiring artists is to focus on the story first and embrace individuality rather than following trends.
Garbett emphasizes that a comic should be visually compelling, with his approach prioritizing storytelling over showmanship. This philosophy guides his work, from careful layout to dynamic camera movements in each panel.
