So my brother, Condy, broke the code this year and bought me a Christmas present (the code being that my brothers and I, along with our wives, do not buy each other Christmas presents - we just do for the parents and the kids).  But apparently when he saw this particular item, he could not help but buy it for me.  I refer, of course, to the hardbound collection of the mid-80's, Frank Miller authored, Daredevil series entitled "Born Again" (I mean, what else could it have been?).

See, when we were kids, we used to walk down to the gas station on Broad Street in Sumter, SC, and buy comics.  (Condy and I did.  David was older and, to my knowledge, never read comics.  He can correct me if I'm mistaken.)  Condy always went for Spiderman or the Fantastic Four or somesuch.  He read much more widely in the comic universe than I did.  But I was a Daredevil guy.  I always found Matt Murdock's story to be tragic and fascinating and I loved, loved, loved reading these things!  Specifically, I was enthralled by the "Born Again" storyline in which Daredevil's ex-girlfriend reveals his true identity...which, of course, makes its way to Kingpin who uses it to destroy Matt Murdock's life.

Will Kingpin destroy Daredevil?  Will Daredevil finally be defeated?  Will his true identity get out?  I mean, c'mon!  This was Shakespeare to me at the time!  This was high drama for a kid, I tell you, and I could...not...wait for the next issue.  (And do NOT mention the horrid movie version to me.  Yikes!  No thanks!  Shame on you Ben Affleck!)

I particularly remember the episode in which Daredevil fights the super soldier.  It was almost too much!

Imagine my joy, then, to learn that this particular series had been bound in an attractive hardback, had been purchased by said brother, and had been given to me!  I read the entire volume when I received it yesterday.  It will go down as one of the greatest reading experiences I've had all year.  (By the way, have you ever tried to read Daredevil and a biography of St. Augustine all at the same time?  It's a wild experience!)

Nostalgia is a beautiful thing, and a nerdy brother is even better.  It's awesome, I tell you!  And, no, you cannot borrow or touch it.  :-)