5 Greatest Daredevil Comic Runs
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Daredevil is a legendary comic book character that most modern fans discovered via live-action as opposed to reading comics. Don’t take my word for it – comic book store closings are common now. The “normie” or casual comic book reader and modern pop culture demographics love comic book-adapted media but don’t necessarily read comic books.
A few modern fans discovered the character via Matt Affleck’s so-bad-it’s-good 2003 Daredevil film but most did watching Charlie Cox’s MCU Daredevil. I’m here to tell you about the greatest Daredevil comics because that is where you will find the best stories.
There is more to Matt Murdock and his alter ego Daredevil if you only know the character from film and streaming shows.
Greatest Daredevil Comics
Daredevil is a heroic, morally complex, hypocritical, and emotionally flawed superhero. When paired with the right creative team Matt Murdock is an incredible character to read.
Murdock has a perpetual chip on his shoulder due to being bullied as a child and being blinded in a freak accident that amplified his other senses. He is a broke, socially progressive lawyer who believes in the law and due process for criminals. Murdock also dresses up as a literal devil and beats up the criminals the law can’t stop as a vigilante.
Murdock is also an extremely devout Catholic who grapples with the emotional consequences of his vigilantism. He is also kind of jerk to his friends and the women he dates.
I’ve been reading Daredevil comics since I was a child and always found him to be a fascinating character. If you are a casual reader, here are the greatest Daredevil comics you should read now.
1. Charles Soule and Phil Noto’s Run
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Writer Charles Soule and artist Phil Noto, along with other artists, started on Daredevil in 2015 from Daredevil #1 – #28 and the legacy numbering rebrand of Daredevil #595 – #612. Soule is also a lawyer and creatively injects his experiences on the page. He deftly shows how triumphant and futile it can be for a lawyer to seek justice.
One of the most interesting characters in this run is Muse, inspired by anarchist artist Banksy. Muse uses human bodies, body parts, and human suffering to create art; Daredevil has to stop Muse from harming innocent people in the name of art. Muse will debut in the 2025 MCU show Daredevil: Born Again.
Daredevil Back in Black 3: Dark Art features the debut of Muse. Get the 112-page paperback for $19.95 on Amazon. Or, get a $5.99 monthly Amazon/Comixology Unlimited membership and pay $0 for this and many other digital comics.
2. Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s “Born Again” Run
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Frank Miller started as an artist on Daredevil in 1979 when he was 22. Less than 24 months later Miller was given writing and art duties on the comic. Miller is infamous for his gritty and nihilistic 1980s and 1990s comic book stories that mirrored the cynicism of the real world. Miller’s early stories forced comic book characters, and readers, to grow up a little.
“Born Again” is a legendary 1986 Daredevil comic that lasted from issues #227 – #231. The Kingpin uses vile methods to learn that Daredevil and Matt Murdock are the same person. Murdock loses his job, and his sanity, and becomes homeless. He also almost loses his humanity as he battles the Kingpin to take back the life stolen from him.
This is one of the greatest Daredevil comics ever. It directly inspires the Charlie Cox MCU version. Get the 248-page Daredevil: Born Again paperback for $15.69 at Amazon.
3. Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, and Chris Samnee’s Run
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The Mark Waid run on Daredevil was celebrated by many fans as almost a Silver Age reinvention of the character. Waid’s version of Daredevil interacts with the Avengers and has a more playful sense of humor; Murdock’s alter ego is common knowledge now, which he regrets. When average people on the street call him Daredevil, Murdock smiles and tries to play it off. Murdock is a very solemn and introspective man but Waid had him be a little more jovial with colleagues.
Waid’s run also introduced two new creepy villains. Coyote is a sadistic villain with superpowers who enjoys psychologically tormenting Murdock. Ikari is a mysterious villain determined to mimic the accident that gave Murdock his powers with a twist Murdock doesn’t anticipate.
Artist Paolo Rivera also reimagined the echolocation vision style by which Murdock senses the world in his mind via experimental artwork. Artist Chris Samnee created a signature look for Daredevil that seemed more Silver Age-influenced than the modern era.
This run also gives Foggy Nelson, Murdock’s unsung law partner, more agency as a character. Foggy deals with an illness that forces Murdock to reexamine their relationship.
Get the 720-page Daredevil By Mark Waid omnibus for $14.99 on Kindle or the hardcover for $54 at Amazon.
4. Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark’s Run
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There are many comic book traditionalists who might say that writer Ed Brubaker and artist Michael Lark’s Daredevil run is just an updated version of Miller’s 1986 Born Again epic. While this critique is fair, it is also the nature of comic books. The status quo is always reverted to where it was, and Murdock’s identity has been revealed and forgotten in numerous retcons.
In this run, Murdock’s identity is exposed and he is tried and jailed for vigilantism. Foggy Nelson is viciously attacked. The Kingpin is menacing Murdock’s civilian associates who all abandon him.
Meanwhile, Murdock investigates his conviction and fights off threats while in prison. This is one of the greatest Daredevil comics ever because it is gritty, and violent, and reduces Daredevil to the essence of a classic 1980s vigilante action film.
Get the 376-page Daredevil Modern Era Collection: The Devil in Cell Block D for $44.99 on Amazon.
5. Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr.’s Run
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Ann Nocenti is probably one of the greatest comic book writers that you probably never heard of. For a 53-issue run from 1986 to 1991, Nocenti and various artists injected the Daredevil title with a creative vision that has not been copied since.
Nocenti injected topics of politics, corruption, racism, sexism, pollution, drug addiction, mental illness, PTSD, and many other social issues into the comic that had never been done before. Nocenti co-created Typhoid Mary during her run. Nocenti also injected surrealism and mysticism into the title with Daredevil facing off against Mephisto, Marvel’s version of the Devil.
You have to read these stories to believe them.
Get the Daredevil By Nocenti & John Romita Jr. Omnibus for $34.99 on Kindle. You can also get the hardcover for $100 on Amazon.
Daredevil is An Acquired Taste
I’m old enough to remember comic books being an underground hobby that the general population completely ignored. Characters like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, and especially Daredevil were completely unknown until the advent of the MCU in 2008.
Most modern comic book fans don’t read comics or are casual readers. I understand it. But if you love Charlie Cox’s MCU Daredevil, then you are doing yourself a disservice by not reading the comics that inspired the show.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
