Daredevil has been one of the most beloved and iconic characters in the Marvel Universe since his debut in 1964. A blind lawyer with heightened senses, Matt Murdock uses his incredible abilities to fight crime and protect the citizens of New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen. Over the years, Daredevil has starred in some of the most acclaimed and influential comic book series of all time. From his early days as a street-level hero to his battles with some of Marvel’s most notorious villains, Daredevil has always been a character that has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers around the world. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the 10 best comic series of Daredevil, exploring the stories, characters, and creators that have made them such an enduring part of comic book history.
10 Best Comic Series of Daredevil
Born Again
Since 1979, frank Miller has had several runs with the Daredevil character. For those who enjoyed season three of the Daredevil Netflix series, the story arc Born Again is a must-read. This 1986 storyline heavily influenced the season and showcased Matt Murdock’s descent into insanity and poverty, caused by Wilson Fisk. Captain America even makes a brief appearance to aid Murdock.
When it comes to gritty storytelling, frank Miller is a go-to writer. He has a talent for breathing new life into characters, and Born Again is a prime example of this. Miller portrays a side of Matt Murdock that fans were not accustomed to seeing. For readers seeking a true street-level Daredevil experience, this comic series is a must-checkout.
The Purple Children
Some people may find any reference to The Purple Man distressing as he is a symbol of trauma and mistreatment towards women. Zebediah Killgrave utilized his power of influence to manipulate women into falling in love with him and becoming pregnant, only to abandon them during childbirth. Killgrave kept track of his children without their mothers’ knowledge.
Although Killgrave attempted to control his offspring, they proved too resilient for him to manage when they united. The Purple Children then directed their attention towards Matt and proceeded to cause chaos in San Francisco. In order to save the day, Matt had to confront his personal demons, but with the aid of unexpected allies, he was able to overcome the challenges.
Blind Alley
Despite their tumultuous relationship, frank Miller and Roger McKenzie seem to have shared some similarities in their approach to Daredevil’s character. In one particular issue, Daredevil confronts the Hulk in the bustling streets of Manhattan, facing insurmountable odds to safeguard innocent bystanders. This intense and grueling altercation highlights the extent of Daredevil’s commitment to preserving the lives of those around him, showcasing the lengths he’s willing to go to ensure their safety.
Last Hand
This particular narrative “Last Hand” is a crucial component of the “Holy Trinity” of Daredevil tales, with the other two to follow shortly. While it is commonly portrayed as Elektra’s demise, these issues contain much more than just a significant loss. The storyline features all of the critical figures in Daredevil lore (such as Foggy Nelson, Kingpin, Bullseye, and Elektra), interweaving their narratives in a way that emphasizes how little control anyone has over events. The outcome is a tragedy, but some individuals manage to be saved. Miller and Janson skillfully convey the idea that even in the darkest of times, life is composed of grays rather than being entirely black.
Parts of a Whole
The Hawkeye series on Disney+ has introduced Maya Lopez, known as Echo, to the MCU. While her origin story differs slightly from the comics, with Hawkeye being falsely accused of her father’s murder instead of Daredevil, the core of her character remains intact. In David Mack’s critically acclaimed comic, the reader is taken through the genesis of Echo’s character.
In the comic, Echo’s father is murdered and Daredevil is blamed for the crime. However, the true mastermind behind the murder is revealed to be the Kingpin, who had raised Maya as his own and trained her to become an assassin. Similarly to the Disney+ series, the comic culminates with Maya exacting revenge on Wilson Fisk by shooting him.
Devil at Bay
In an effort to infuse new life into the Man Without Fear, Mark Waid opted to relocate him from the gritty, dark streets of New York City to the sunnier (or perhaps foggier) confines of San Francisco. This marked a significant departure from the character’s previous incarnations, particularly under the tenure of Bendis, who tended to lean towards a darker tone. However, this change in tone was fitting for the character and injected a sense of levity that was sorely needed.
Together with Chris Samnee’s dynamic artwork, Waid’s take on Daredevil was a refreshing departure from the previous storyline where Daredevil was forced to kill his longtime nemesis, Bullseye. Waid’s three-year tenure as the writer of the character proved to be a smashing success, earning him numerous accolades, including a pair of prestigious Eisner Awards.
Roulette
In this particular issue, Daredevil’s worldview takes a grim turn as he delves into his deepest fears and insecurities. The conversation takes place solely between Daredevil and Bullseye, with the latter being physically immobile and unable to communicate. While Daredevil engages in a game of Russian Roulette, he shares a poignant tale about the harsh realities of life, where themes of guilt and inevitability loom large. What’s particularly striking about this setup is the lack of a hopeful twist or turn to alleviate the dark tone. Despite this, Daredevil’s final statement carries significant weight, given the circumstances leading up to it.
Yellow
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed Batman: The Long Halloween, teamed up once again to revisit the origin of the Man Without Fear. Loeb deftly infused his story with a healthy dose of humor to counterbalance the gritty tone that had come to be associated with the character. He also maintained a tight narrative, trimming any extraneous elements while still managing to chronicle DD’s complete origin story and beyond. As part of Marvel’s “The Color Series,” which was initiated by Loeb and Sale, Daredevil: Yellow served as a tribute to Matt Murdock’s relationship with Karen Page prior to her untimely demise.
A Touch of Typhoid
After Frank Miller concluded his run with the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, Ann Nocenti took over as the writer. Under her guidance, a new formidable adversary was introduced for Matt Murdock – Typhoid Mary, a complex character with Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D.) who worked as an assassin. Wilson Fisk, the notorious Kingpin, hires Typhoid Mary to not only fall in love with Daredevil but also with his alter-ego, Matt Murdock.
This cunning plan allows the Kingpin to attack Daredevil on two fronts, increasing his chances of defeating the blind lawyer from Hell’s Kitchen. As it turns out, Matt has had more than one homicidal girlfriend, with Typhoid Mary joining the ranks. Nocenti’s writing skills shine through in the creation of various Marvel characters such as Typhoid Mary, Longshot, Mojo, Spiral, and Blackheart.
Zdarsky Daredevil
In 2019, Chip Zdarsky crafted a remarkable entry point for newer Daredevil fans. The story centers around Matt Murdock’s return to his vigilantism after a close encounter with death. However, things are not quite back to normal, especially for a blind lawyer who moonlights as a devilish crusader. DD finds himself wrongfully accused of a criminal’s demise, which only exacerbates his already precarious situation.
At its core, the tale is about upholding justice and absolving oneself of false accusations. Zdarsky masterfully delves into Matt Murdock’s psyche, revealing multiple layers to his character. With this narrative, Zdarsky has managed to revitalize Daredevil, making him as engaging and captivating as ever. In addition to this story, Zdarsky also penned the recent “Devil’s Reign” arc and is set to return for a brand new Daredevil series in June with issue #1.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Batman Comics of All Time
