The 5 Best Daredevil Comics You Need to Read
The wait is almost over! After seven long years, Daredevil is finally making his return to the screen. On March 4, Daredevil: Born Again will premiere on Disney+, marking Matt Murdock’s official integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The show’s title is a direct nod to one of the greatest Daredevil comics ever written—a storyline that redefined the character and cemented his place as one of Marvel’s most compelling heroes.
Leading man Charlie Cox is back as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, alongside returning stars Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), Vincent D’Onofrio (Kingpin), and Jon Bernthal (The Punisher). With a history stretching back to 1964, Daredevil has no shortage of legendary stories, and Marvel Studios has an incredible well of material to draw from.
So, whether you're a longtime fan or new to Daredevil, this list will take you through the 5 best Daredevil comics of all time—the essential reads that define the Man Without Fear. And if you're looking for even more Marvel goodness, check out our guide to all the upcoming MCU TV shows!
Guardian Devil: A Defining Daredevil Story
Few stories in Daredevil’s history hit as hard as Guardian Devil, an arc that helped launch the Marvel Knights imprint and introduced filmmaker Kevin Smith as a writer for Marvel Comics.
This eight-issue saga is a gut-punch of tragedy and psychological torment. Daredevil’s world crumbles as he faces the devastating revelation that Karen Page—his longtime love—has HIV and ultimately takes her own life. As Matt Murdock spirals into emotional anguish and self-doubt, he finds himself responsible for an infant who may very well be the antichrist. Meanwhile, a dying Mysterio, desperate for one last grand act, orchestrates a cruel and twisted scheme to push Daredevil to his breaking point.
A harrowing blend of religious themes, moral dilemmas, and raw emotional stakes, Guardian Devil remains one of the most definitive and heart-wrenching stories in Daredevil’s long and tortured history.
The Last Hand: A Defining Moment in Daredevil's Tragic Legacy
Few moments in Daredevil's history hit as brutally and emotionally as Daredevil #181. This issue isn’t just a milestone—it’s a shattering tragedy, the kind that forever etches itself into Matt Murdock’s soul.
Written and illustrated by Frank Miller with Klaus Janson, The Last Hand showcases the rise and fall of Elektra Natchios, Matt’s former love turned assassin for the Kingpin. First introduced just a year earlier, Elektra was always more than just a love interest—she was a mirror to Matt, reflecting the path he could have taken had he given in to his darker urges.
Her story reaches a devastating climax when she faces Bullseye, one of Daredevil’s deadliest foes. In a fight that is swift, ruthless, and heartbreakingly final, Elektra is impaled by her own sai—a moment that would haunt Daredevil for years. The image of her crawling to Matt’s doorstep, bleeding out in the snow, is one of the most iconic and tragic in all of Daredevil’s mythos.
Elektra’s death pushes Matt to a dangerous edge, igniting a fire for vengeance that threatens to consume him entirely. This isn’t just another hero-villain showdown—this is Daredevil at his most raw, most vulnerable, and most human. The Last Hand is the story that redefined what a superhero comic could be—gritty, emotional, and unforgiving—securing its place as one of the greatest Daredevil stories ever told.
The Man Without Fear: Daredevil’s Definitive Origin Story
When it comes to defining Daredevil’s origin, few stories have left a lasting impact like Daredevil: The Man Without Fear. Written by Frank Miller and brought to life with John Romita Jr.’s dynamic artwork, this five-issue limited series is the ultimate retelling of how Matt Murdock became the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.
While many superhero origins are told in broad strokes, The Man Without Fear takes a decompressed, intimate approach. It delves deep into Matt’s earliest struggles—his life in Hell’s Kitchen, his relationship with his gritty yet loving father, Battlin’ Jack Murdock, and the fateful accident that stole his sight but heightened his senses. More than just an origin, this story explores the choices, pain, and sheer willpower that transformed a blind kid into a relentless vigilante.
One of the most underrated aspects of this series is its subtle, grounded storytelling, which stood in stark contrast to the bombastic, over-the-top comics of the early 1990s. Even decades later, this series continues to influence modern comics, TV adaptations, and even the MCU, serving as the foundation for how we see Daredevil today.
With Romita Jr.’s raw, kinetic art capturing the grit, violence, and desperation of Hell’s Kitchen, The Man Without Fear remains the must-read for anyone wanting to understand the heart, struggle, and unbreakable spirit of Daredevil.
Daredevil: Yellow – A Love Letter to the Past
Few Daredevil stories capture the heartache and nostalgia of Matt Murdock’s life like Daredevil: Yellow. Written by Jeph Loeb and beautifully illustrated by Tim Sale, this six-issue limited series isn’t just an origin retelling—it’s a deeply poignant reflection on love, loss, and the weight of memory.
Told through the framework of Matt writing a letter to Karen Page, Daredevil: Yellow is drenched in melancholy as he looks back on his earliest days as a hero, recalling the joy, uncertainty, and pain of his first encounters with both justice and love. While many stories focus on Daredevil’s grit and darkness, this one leans into tenderness, warmth, and regret, making it a standout in the character’s long history.
Loeb and Sale are masters of emotional storytelling, and their approach here is subtle yet powerful. The use of color symbolism, particularly Daredevil’s original bright yellow costume, becomes a visual and thematic anchor—representing the hopeful, idealistic Matt before tragedy hardened him into the Man Without Fear.
More than just a fresh entry point for new readers, Daredevil: Yellow breathes new life into an old story, distilling the soul of Daredevil into a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant tale. It’s not just a comic—it’s a love letter, a confession, and a farewell, all wrapped into one.
Born Again – Daredevil’s Ultimate Trial by Fire
If Daredevil has a Mount Everest of stories, it’s undoubtedly Born Again. Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, this brutal, transcendent arc doesn’t just break Matt Murdock—it burns him to the ground, leaving only ashes and the question of rebirth.
As the title suggests, you can only be born again after suffering death. And Miller ensures Matt suffers. The story kicks off with the gut-wrenching betrayal of Karen Page, Matt’s former love, now a heroin-addicted pornography actress, who sells his secret identity for a fix. That single act sets off a chain reaction of destruction, leading to Kingpin’s most calculated, sadistic attack on Daredevil’s life.
What follows is a descent into absolute hell. Kingpin methodically erases Matt’s world—his career, his home, his money, his friendships—until Murdock is left a paranoid, broken man wandering the streets of Hell’s Kitchen. The once-unshakable Man Without Fear is brought to his knees, teetering on the edge of insanity, homelessness, and utter hopelessness.
Yet, Born Again isn’t just about destruction—it’s about faith, resilience, and redemption. Miller and Mazzucchelli don’t just break Matt physically and emotionally—they make him rise again, forging a Daredevil that is purer, rawer, and more unbreakable than ever before.
This arc is the definitive Daredevil story, the one that solidified the themes of faith, sacrifice, and perseverance that have come to define the character. Born Again isn’t just a comic—it’s a baptism by fire, one that strips Daredevil of everything except his unrelenting will to fight.
Daredevil isn’t just a hero—he’s a survivor, forged in fire, faith, and tragedy. From the soul-crushing fall and redemption of Born Again to the heartfelt nostalgia of Daredevil: Yellow, these five stories define who Matt Murdock truly is—not just as a masked vigilante, but as a man constantly torn between light and darkness, love and loss, justice and vengeance.
Whether you're a longtime fan or just stepping into Hell’s Kitchen for the first time, these arcs are essential reading—raw, gripping, and unforgettable. They’re not just Daredevil stories; they’re some of the greatest tales Marvel has ever told.
So, suit up, sharpen your senses, and dive into the best of the Man Without Fear—because the streets of Hell’s Kitchen are always calling.
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