Best Daredevil Comics (Updated: October 2025)

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Daredevil has been a popular hero for over sixty years, recently gaining even more fans through movies and TV shows. He’s especially notable as one of the earliest disabled superheroes, inspiring many people and becoming a major character in the Marvel Universe. If you’ve enjoyed Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and want to explore his comic book history, it can be overwhelming to choose from six decades of issues. To make it easier, we’ve created a list to guide you to some of the best stories.

Best Daredevil Comics as of 2025

Daredevil first appeared in his own comic book in April 1964. The character was inspired by an older, Golden Age hero with the same name—a deaf crimefighter originally set in New York City alongside Spider-Man. This version later moved to San Francisco and had a relationship with Black Widow before eventually returning to his roots in Hell’s Kitchen. The 1980s and 90s saw a particularly popular run of the comic by writer Frank Miller, which gave the series a darker, more mature feel. Even after Miller’s time with the character, Daredevil remained a consistent presence in Marvel’s publications, becoming one of their most regularly featured heroes.

Daredevil: Born Again

When the Kingpin learns Matt Murdock is Daredevil, he dismantles Matt’s life, costing him his law license, damaging his reputation, and leaving him without a home. Stripped of everything, Matt must start over, redefine what it means to be a hero, and ultimately face the Kingpin to regain his sense of self and purpose. This story is written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli.

The Daredevil story arc ‘Born Again’ is considered a masterpiece because it brilliantly breaks down and then rebuilds Matt Murdock, both as a person and as a superhero. It takes away everything that makes up his life: when Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, learns Daredevil’s secret, he doesn’t just fight him – he systematically ruins Matt’s life as a lawyer, destroys his relationships, and dismantles his entire identity. Think about trying to describe *who you are* without mentioning what you *do* – it’s surprisingly difficult. The story powerfully shows the intensely personal experience of losing everything and finding the inner strength to start over. We see Matt’s world fall apart gradually, making his eventual comeback feel truly deserved. The artwork by David Mazzucchelli perfectly enhances the story’s themes. His realistic style vividly portrays the gritty decay of Hell’s Kitchen, and his skillful visual storytelling adds emotional depth that words alone couldn’t convey. ‘Born Again’ set a standard for challenging characters in a way that still honors what makes them fundamentally who they are.

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The Man Without Fear

After a tragic accident leaves young Matt Murdock blind, his remaining senses become incredibly heightened. Driven by the murder of his boxer father at the hands of criminals, Matt dedicates himself to mastering combat. He ultimately becomes Daredevil, a masked crime fighter, determined to protect his neighborhood, Hell’s Kitchen, and avenge his father. This five-issue series, created by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr., offers a fresh take on Matt Murdock’s transformation from an accident survivor into a vigilante.

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear is the ultimate origin story for the character. It carefully shows how Matt Murdock develops his powers and strong sense of right and wrong. Writer Frank Miller doesn’t rush the process, instead realistically portraying how a blind teenager would learn to use his heightened senses, get in shape, and become Daredevil. The story connects Matt’s personal life with the criminal activity in Hell’s Kitchen, and these relationships are essential to understanding who he is. The artwork by Romita Jr. adds a realistic, gritty feel that perfectly suits the story. This story also lays the foundation for important parts of Daredevil’s world, including his ties to the criminal underground, his love for Hell’s Kitchen, and his complicated beliefs. It explains what motivates Matt to become the hero he is. Ultimately, it shows that Daredevil’s biggest strength isn’t his enhanced senses, but his courage in the face of fear. This is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to read Daredevil comics.

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Last Hand

Elektra and Bullseye engage in a brutal battle to the death, and despite her training as an assassin, Elektra is killed by Bullseye. Daredevil arrives on the scene too late to help, and is left to grieve the loss of his loved one at the hands of his enemy. The story is written and illustrated by Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson also contributing to the artwork.

This story marks the heartbreaking end of Elektra and Daredevil’s relationship. Elektra’s death, caused by Bullseye, is a profoundly sad moment, but it’s not simply for shock value. Writer Frank Miller uses it to delve into complex themes of love, loss, and the repercussions of violence. The issue focuses heavily on Matt Murdock’s emotional journey as he deals with grief and guilt. It’s a unique blend of superhero action, gritty crime noir, and a thoughtful exploration of life, death, and consequences. Miller’s artwork is exceptional, using shadows and darkness to perfectly capture the story’s tragic mood. The issue feels like a natural and unavoidable outcome of everything that had been developing throughout Miller’s writing, and Elektra’s death isn’t arbitrary—it’s a result of the characters’ actions and the dangerous world they inhabit. Ultimately, this event would have a lasting impact on Daredevil stories for years to come.

Roulette

In a dangerous gambling situation, Matt Murdock finds himself forced to play Russian roulette. This harrowing experience delves into his struggles with risk, his confrontation with death, and his journey to overcome fear. The story is both written and illustrated by Frank Miller.

Daredevil #191, “Roulette,” is considered a standout issue by many, and a prime example of Frank Miller’s storytelling skill. In just 22 pages, he creates a complete and emotionally powerful narrative. The story isn’t just about action; it’s a deep dive into Matt Murdock’s mind, exploring what it’s like to constantly risk everything. Every page cleverly moves the plot forward while also revealing Matt’s character and building suspense. “Roulette” works both as a thrilling standalone story and as a key part of Miller’s overall portrayal of Daredevil. The artwork is distinctly Miller’s, using strong contrasts and dynamic panel arrangements. The heavy use of shadows and close-up shots effectively capture the tense atmosphere of gambling and emphasize Matt’s inner turmoil. Ultimately, “Roulette” uses the idea of chance to question what it truly means to be a hero.

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The Purple Children

Daredevil meets the children of the Purple Man, who were conceived through manipulation – he used his mind control to force relationships with women before leaving them. These children have inherited different versions of their father’s powers and are struggling with the emotional fallout of their beginnings, unsure if they want to use their abilities to help or harm others. The story is written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Chris Samnee.

This story delves into the unsettling idea of the Purple Man’s forgotten children, using them to create genuine horror and showcase the long-term impact of his crimes. The storyline elevates the Purple Man beyond a simple mind-controller, portraying him as truly disturbing by exploring the real-world consequences and inherited trauma his powers cause. These children are compelling characters struggling with their abilities and trying to break free from their father’s dark legacy. The artwork perfectly captures the story’s unsettling atmosphere, and the writing adds surprising psychological depth to familiar villains.

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How we chose the best Daredevil comics

The most compelling Daredevil stories delve into Matt Murdock’s unique worldview – how he experiences life differently and overcomes challenges. They focus on the struggles he faces balancing his life as a lawyer, a crime fighter, and a person trying to connect with others. Beyond the exciting action, these comics tackle big ideas like the difference between justice and revenge, the sacrifices heroes make, faith and uncertainty, and what it truly means to be fearless. Daredevil’s blindness and heightened senses aren’t just superpowers; they’re used to represent a deeper understanding of truth. Visually, the best Daredevil comics use shadows, gritty cityscapes, and energetic action to convey both excitement and emotional depth. Matt’s determination to not let his challenges define him is inspiring. What are your favorite Daredevil comic book storylines?

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2025-10-08 05:49