The 10 Best Daredevil reads to get you in fighting shape for Born Again

With the thrilling new Born Again trailer making waves, the excitement surrounding this gritty series has reached new heights as we anticipate the return of the iconic Devil of Hell's Kitchen.

Set to debut on March 4th, this MCU series will bring back Charlie Cox in his role as attorney Matt Murdock, also known as the superhero vigilante Daredevil. Created by the legendary Stan Lee and Bill Everett, Daredevil has been defending Hell's Kitchen and its inhabitants from crime for over 60 years.

With such a rich and significant history, Daredevil has been involved in some of Marvel's most compelling storylines and major events. The character's rich lore has been expounded on by some of the industry's finest comic creators, including Waid, Bendis, and Brubaker, showcasing an assortment of engaging narratives.

To help prepare you for the arrival of Born Again, I’ve leveraged my decades of comic expertise to curate a comprehensive list of finely selected Daredevil reads, setting the tone for Ol' Hornhead's return.

Daredevil: Born Again (1986)

Born Again, a compelling storyline presented in Daredevil #226-233, is crafted by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. It follows the devastating impact of the Kingpin's actions on Daredevil's life after he learns Daredevil's secret identity through his former lover, Karen Page. Armed with this knowledge, Kingpin systematically dismantles both Daredevil and Matt Murdock's lives, culminating in the destruction of his apartment complex and his defeat at Kingpin's hands.

However, Daredevil finds redemption through divine intervention and the help of Sister Maggie, his estranged mother, which reignites his inner strength and leads to his remarkable comeback. In closing, Born Again is rich with influential plot elements that resonate in the Daredevil TV series, including characters like the Gladiator Melvin Potter, journalist Ben Urich, and the Kingpin, making it an essential read for fans.

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear (1993)

Widely regarded as a must-read for Daredevil fans, The Man Without Fear reimagines Daredevil's origin, focusing on his early life and superhero career. Crafted by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr., this engaging narrative highlights the significant impact of his mentor, Stick, in shaping his upbringing and his formative interactions with Foggy Nelson, Elektra, and the Kingpin. Moreover, this read articulates the consequences Daredevil encounters while seeking justice for his father, like the accidental death of a call girl.

Ultimately, this best depicts the moment Daredevil channels his inner wildness—once feared—into saving the teenager Mickey and how such moments fuel his drive to protect the innocent. Much like The Dark Knight graphic novel and its profound effect on ushering in a new era for Batman, Man Without Fear heralded Daredevil's coming of age, leading him to embrace God's plan for him as The Man Without Fear.

Daredevil (1998)

Kicking off the most lauded Daredevil series run to date, Daredevil (1998) #1 begins with the emotionally charged 'Guardian Devil' arc. When a young mother leaves her newborn with Matt, claiming divine instruction, Daredevil will have his faith, a hallmark of the character, tested like never before. The situation only worsens when the shady Mister Gabriel enlists Bullseye to deal with Daredevil and the "savior child".

Featuring staple characters like Black Widow, Karen Page, and Foggy, this best represents profound pain and loss for Daredevil, testing his faith in humanity and the divine. With its mysterious, religious twist, 'Guardian Devil' delves into the devoutness of Marvel's most religious hero, culminating in shocking fashion.

Daredevil: Yellow (2001)

Following the award-winning formula from Spider-Man: Blue, a best-read on Spidey, the acclaimed duo of Loeb and Sale present a pastel-colored homage to Daredevil's early trials and tribulations and his first love, Karen Page. Here, Daredevil, still haunted by Karen's sudden and horrific death, takes Foggy's advice, writing a letter to Karen, and putting words to his feelings with flowing prose.

Daredevil: Yellow elicits smiles throughout, from Daredevil donning the iconic canary costume to his first showdown with a supervillain, Electro, to his rescue of Karen. Easily one of Daredevil's most heartfelt tales, Yellow is a melodic account of all the choices, the guilt, and the joy, that lead him to this point, leaving a lasting impression leading into Born Again.

Daredevil: Father (2004)

An artistic gem honoring a son’s love for his late father, this Daredevil best unfolds in a sweltering Hell's Kitchen, where a serial killer known as Johnny Sockets preys on former clients, taking their eyes. As Daredevil navigates this chilling threat, he finds himself haunted by childhood memories. Complicating matters are his mysterious client, Maggie Farrell, and the introduction of the Santerians, a new superhero outfit. The plot thickens with a frame job targeting Matt Murdock, adding more tension and culminating in a shocking conclusion.

This series marks a triumphant return for acclaimed creator Joe Quesada, who expertly revisits his Daredevil roots. In particular, his exploration of the profound ways added perspective can shift our understanding of others and the crucial role fathers play as role models for their sons makes this a priority read for fans of the Devil of Hell's Kitchen.

Daredevil Vs. Punisher (2005)

Daredevil Vs. Punisher: Means and Ends is a gritty six-issue series that follows the Punisher, a notable Deadpool antagonist, as he declares war on the mob and leaves a devastating trail of bodies in his wake. In response to his brutal approach to justice, Daredevil tasks himself with confronting the Punisher and halting his lethal methods. For fans of the Daredevil TV series, the Punisher's notorious willingness to take lives is well-known, making their inevitable confrontation all the more compelling, especially at this stage in their respective careers.

In particular, this Daredevil best masterfully explores the stark contrasts between these two iconic vigilantes, with Daredevil's disdain for the Punisher's cold-blooded executions clashing sharply with the Punisher's perception of Daredevil as cowardly for his restraint. Most notably, after an innocent is caught in the crossfire and they battle through an apartment complex, both heroes are forced to confront the consequences of their actions on innocent lives.

Shadowland (2010)

After years of fighting the criminal elements in Hell's Kitchen and coping with significant losses, Daredevil's faith begins to wane. Feeling cornered, he makes the drastic decision to take over the leadership of the Hand, declares Hell's Kitchen under his protection, and institutes martial law. At a critical turning point, Daredevil crosses a line he never thought he would and slays his archenemy, Bullseye, spurning his descent into darkness.

In response, Daredevil's closest allies, including the Heroes for Hire and Spider-Man, unite to save or stop their longtime ally. However, they may be too late as an ancient, malevolent entity may have already engulfed his eternal soul. This Daredevil best marks the darkest chapter of his life, and begs the question: does even he possess enough fortitude to resist the sinister Beast and reclaim control of his soul?

Daredevil (2015)

Marking the first time where Daredevil and Matt's goals align, Daredevil #1 portrays Daredevil, back in black and working as a prosecutor after his temporary sojourn on the West Coast. Here, fans are introduced to Sam Chung, aka Blindspot. Appropriately dubbed 'the Devil's Advocate', Blindspot will become Daredevil's first, true understudy. Thus, when the nefarious Tenfingers threatens the Kitchen with his Church of the Sheltering Hands, Daredevil and Blindspot intervene. However, they face multiple setbacks, especially when Daredevil discovers that Tenfingers’ mystical powers were stolen from the Hand, who will stop at nothing to reclaim them.

This series, penned by acclaimed Star Wars scribe Charles Soule, effectively captures Daredevil's complex character growth as he takes on his first sidekick and grapples with the guilt of keeping everyone in the dark about his identity. Perhaps most relevant is the debut of the villainous "artist" Muse in the chilling 'Dark Art' arc. This deranged serial killer, who delights in turning his murders into grandiose works of art, is an antagonist in the highly anticipated series Born Again, and I cannot wait to see how the macabre Muse is adapted to live-action.

Daredevil (2019)

Chip Zdarsky's Eisner award-nominated run begins with Daredevil (2019) #1, featuring a reborn Daredevil after a traumatic injury left him fighting for his life. As Daredevil strives to rebuild his life and heroic status, he faces numerous challenges, after he seemingly kills a robber while thwarting their heist, leading to a murder charge. This draws the ire of Detective Cole North, a good but conflicted transplant from Chicago, who's set to appear in the upcoming Born Again.

Witnessing Daredevil fighting to reclaim his place and overcome his past while confronting formidable foes like the Owl and the ever-present Mayor Fisk strikes all the right chords. Sprinkle in the accompaniment of his longtime allies, the Defenders and Spider-Man, and readers are left with all the makings of one helluva read and a Daredevil best.

Devil's Reign (2021)

The Devil's Reign series is undeniably a standout Daredevil storyline. It explores Daredevil's worst fears as his nemesis, the Kingpin, leverages his recent notoriety under the Darkforce Dome to win the New York City mayoralty. Once in power, Kingpin enacted the Powers Act, which criminalizes the existence of superheroes in the city. To ensure compliance, he mobilizes the Thunderbolt Corps and assembles a covert team of Thunderbolts tailored to his agenda.

Daredevil naturally rallies in support of the superhero community against his greatest adversary. However, he grapples with intense guilt when he realizes that his actions, particularly those involving the Purple Children who altered people's memories to protect his secret identity, have contributed to Kingpin's aggression toward heroes. This arc also hints at themes likely to unfold in the upcoming Born Again series, setting New York City as the epicenter of rising tensions between the government and superheroes.

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