Die-hard comic fans loved bragging about film director Kevin Smith’s love of comics.  The acclaimed indie director was growing in mainstream popularity when he decided to take some time away from making real money to actually writing comics.  Smith teamed up with artist Joe Quesada to relaunch Daredevil in what turned out to be a creative renaissance, however controversial, for the character.  Smith went on to write several other popular runs and is partly credited with bringing more mainstream talent to the comic book community.