| Matt Murdock Daredevil | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Daredevil #1 (April 1964) |
| Created by | Stan Lee (writer) Bill Everett (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Matthew Michael Murdock |
| Place of origin | Hell's Kitchen,New York City |
| Team affiliations | Avengers New Avengers Defenders Marvel Knights The Chaste The Hand |
| Partnerships | Elektra Black Widow |
| Notable aliases | Man Without Fear Jack Batlin Mike Murdock |
| Abilities |
|
Daredevil is asuperhero appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created bywriter-editorStan Lee and artistBill Everett, with some input fromJack Kirby, the character first appeared inDaredevil #1 (April 1964).
Daredevil is the alias ofMatthew Michael "Matt" Murdock, a lawyer fromHell's Kitchen who was blinded in childhood in a chemical accident that enhanced his other senses. After his fatherJack is killed by gangsters, Matt hones his physical abilities and superhuman senses under his mentor, the blind and mysteriousStick, becoming an expert martial artist. Eventually, in ironic contrast to hisCatholic upbringing and beliefs, Matt dons a devil-like costume and takes up a dual life of fighting against the criminal underworld inNew York City. This puts him in conflict with many super-villains, including his arch-enemiesBullseye and theKingpin. He also becomes a skilled and respected lawyer who forms a law firm withFranklin "Foggy" Nelson, his best friend and college roommate. He establishes a long relationship with co-workerKaren Page, who experiences many hardships before her eventual murder by Bullseye. Daredevil also has a relationship withElektra Natchios, a fearsome ninja assassin who is murdered by Bullseye before being resurrected.
Writer/artistFrank Miller's influential tenure as lead author of the title in the early 1980s cemented the character as a popular and influential part of theMarvel Universe. Miller introduced elements offilm noir andninja films, and subsequent writers for the title have continued these themes and imagery. In particular, the Daredevil comics often explore political corruption, moral ambiguity, childhood trauma, disability,Irish Catholic identity, and Christian themes. The representation of women in the comic is controversial, but at times it has expressed feminist themes, particularly in the issues written byAnne Nocenti, from 1986 to 1991.Daredevil is a critically acclaimed series, and has won multipleEisner Awards, in particular for later authorsBrian Michael Bendis,Ed Brubaker, andMark Waid.
Daredevil is a prominent example of adisabled superhero, and has served as positive representation forblind people. The character has appeared in various media, including films and television series.Ben Affleck portrayed the character in the filmDaredevil (2003). Subsequently,Charlie Cox portrayedthe character in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, initially in the television seriesDaredevil (2015–2018) and later inDaredevil: Born Again (2025).
Following the success of theFantastic Four in 1961, demand for superheroes increased in the comic book market and Marvel Comics made an effort to create new characters to meet that demand. Stan Lee sought the creative input ofBill Everett, who had previously createdNamor, andJack Kirby, the co-creator of theFantastic Four, theAvengers, and other well-known superheroes. Kirby and Everett co-designed Daredevil's original costume.[1] Dartmouth professor Paul Young indicates that the basic concept of the character as a heroic blind vigilante is probably inspired by the symbol and motif ofblind justice.[2] Timothy D. Peters, a legal scholar, has also drawn attention to the recurring visual analogy withLady Justice, the classical figure for the legal system.[3] The character was generally considered second-string in Marvel's pantheon of heroes, and had low commercial viability for the first decade and a half of his existence, prior toFrank Miller's re-invention.[4]
The character debuted inMarvel Comics'Daredevil #1 (cover date April 1964), created by writer-editorStan Lee and artistBill Everett.[1] The original costume design was a combination of black, yellow, and red, reminiscent of acrobat tights.[5] The first issue covered the character's origins as well as the murder of his father, boxer"Battling Jack" Murdock, who raised young Matthew Michael Murdock in theHell's Kitchen neighborhood ofManhattan, New York City.[6] Jack instills in Matt the importance of education and nonviolence with the aim of seeing his son become a better man than himself. In the course of saving a blind man from the path of an oncoming truck, Matt is blinded by a radioactive substance that falls from the vehicle.[7] The radioactive exposure heightens his remaining senses beyond normal human limits, and gives him a kind of "radar" sense, enabling him to detect the shape and location of objects around him. To support his son, Jack Murdock returns to boxing under the Fixer, a known gangster, and the only man willing to contract the aging boxer. When he refuses tothrow a fight because his son is in the audience, he is killed by one of the Fixer's men.[6] Having promised his father not to use violence to deal with his problems, Matt adopts a new identity who can use physical force. Adorned in a yellow and black costume made from his father's boxing robes and using his superhuman abilities, Matt confronts the killers as the superhero Daredevil, unintentionally causing the Fixer to have a fatal heart attack.[8]
Wally Wood introduced Daredevil's standard red costume in issue #7.[9]John Romita Sr. became the new artist in May 1966, just prior to his long tenure onThe Amazing Spider-Man.[10] Daredevil embarks on a series of adventures involving such villains as theOwl and thePurple Man.[11] In issue #16 (May 1966), Daredevil meetsSpider-Man, who will eventually become one of Daredevil's closest friends.[10] When Daredevil's secret identity becomes endangered, Matt adopts a third identity as his twin brother Mike Murdock, whose carefree, wisecracking personality more closely resembles the Daredevil guise than the stern, studious, and emotionally-withdrawn Matt Murdock. This third identity was dropped in issues #41–42; Daredevil fakes Mike Murdock's death and claims he had trained a replacement Daredevil.[12] The series' 31-issue run by writer-editor Stan Lee and pencillerGene Colan (beginning with issue #20) includesDaredevil #47, in which Murdock defends a blindVietnam veteran against aframeup; Lee has cited it as one of his favorite stories.[13]
Matt discloses his secret identity to his girlfriendKaren Page in a story published in 1969. However, the revelation proves too much for her, and she breaks off the relationship and moves to Hollywood to become an actress.[14]
Gerry Conway took over as writer with issue #72. He moved Daredevil toSan Francisco beginning withDaredevil #86, and simultaneously brought on theBlack Widow as a co-star for the series.[15] The Black Widow served as Daredevil's crime-fighting ally as well as his lover from November 1971 to August 1975. Issues #92-107 were published under the titleDaredevil and the Black Widow. Conway introduced Black Widow as a romantic partner for Daredevil as "a way to re-energize the title".[16] She joined the series inDaredevil #81 (1971).[17]John Romita Sr. designed a new costume for Black Widow, but Colan was the artist for the series. Conway responded to feminist criticism by making Black Widow a more active and independent character, beginning inDaredevil #91 (1972).[18] The series was retitledDaredevil and the Black Widow in the following issue;[19] her name was dropped from the title after issue #107 (1973).[20]Steve Gerber became the writer forDaredevil with issue #97 (1972). Sales had declined, and in response he re-emphasized Daredevil as the central character.[21]Tony Isabella became the writer forDaredevil with issue #118, and he believed that Daredevil and Black Widow should be split up.[21] Black Widow departed from the series in issue #124, feeling overshadowed by Daredevil.[20]
The writing and editing jobs went toMarv Wolfman with issue #125 in 1975.[22] He returned Daredevil to Hell's Kitchen.[23] Wolfman promptly introduced the lively but emotionally fragileHeather Glenn to replace the Black Widow as Daredevil's love interest.[24] Wolfman's 20-issue run included the introduction of one of Daredevil's most popular villains,Bullseye.[25]
Roger McKenzie began writing the series in 1978.[24] McKenzie's work on Daredevil reflected his background in horror comics, and the stories and even the character himself took on a much darker tone.[26] Daredevil battles a personification of death, and a re-envisioning of his Daredevil's origin shows him using stalker tactics to drive the Fixer to his fatal heart attack.[27] McKenzie created chain-smokingDaily Bugle reporterBen Urich, who eventually deduces Daredevil's secret identity.[28] Halfway through his run, McKenzie was joined by pencillerFrank Miller with issue #158 (May 1979).[29]
In a story arc of this period, Daredevil reveals his identity to Glenn. Their relationship persists, but proves increasingly harmful to both of them.[30] Though the Black Widow returns for a dozen issues (#155–166) and attempts to rekindle her romance with Daredevil, he ultimately rejects her in favor of Glenn.[20]
Frank Miller's initial run, first as penciler, then writer/penciler, and last a writer and layout artist began in May 1979 and ended in February 1983. The series made Miller a star in the industry.[31] At the time that Miller wrote and drew the series, it was very unusual for in mainstream comics for one person to both illustrate and author a comic book.[32] In this period, Miller modeled Matt Murdock's appearance on the actorRobert Redford.[33] Miller took writing inspiration fromhardboiledcrime fiction andfilm noir, as well as the superhero comic tradition.[34] For example, he draws on techniques of suspense, dramatic irony, and ambiguous characterization adopted fromRaymond Chandler.[35] Miller moved away from the conventions of the commercially dominant genre of comic books,superhero comics, toward the style that interested him most:crime comics.[36] He citedWill Eisner andMoebius, from the comics tradition, and filmmakersOrson Welles,Fritz Lang, andAlfred Hitchcock as inspirations.[37] Miller is also responsible for emphasizing Daredevil'sCatholic beliefs and deep concern withpenance.[38]
Resuming the drastic metamorphosis McKenzie began, Miller completely transformed the character and tone of the title.[39] Most prominently, dedicated and loving father Jack Murdock is reimagined as a drunkard whophysically abused his son Matt, entirely revising Daredevil's reasons for becoming a lawyer.[40]Spider-Man villainKingpin becomes Daredevil's new primary nemesis.[41] Tormented by guilt, Daredevil gradually becomes something of anantihero.[42] In issue #181 (April 1982), he attempts to murder Bullseye by throwing him off a tall building; when the villain survives as aquadriplegic, he breaks into his hospital room and tries to scare him to death by playing a two-man variation onRussian roulette with a secretly unloaded gun.[43]
Following up a suggestion from editorDennis O'Neil that he give Daredevil a realistic fighting style,[44] Miller drew detailed fighting scenes attentive to the physics and techniques of East Asianmartial arts.[45] Miller introducedninjas into the Daredevil canon,[41] introducing previously unseen characters who had played a major part in his youth:Stick, leader of the ninja clan, theChaste, who had been Murdock'ssensei after he was blinded; andElektra, an on-again off-again girlfriend and sometime member of the Hand.[46] Elektra was eventually killed by Bullseye, in a best-selling landmark issue that startled the comics audience.[47]
Miller and artistDavid Mazzucchelli crafted the acclaimed "Born Again" storyline in #226–233.[48] In theBorn Again storyline, Karen Page returns as a heroin-addicted porn star, and sells Daredevil's secret identity for drug money.[48] The Kingpin acquires the information and, in an act of revenge, orchestrates a frameup that costs Murdock his attorney's license. Murdock also discovers that his lost mother,Maggie, who he thought dead, is living as a nun.[49] Miller ends the arc on a positive note, with Murdock reuniting with Karen Page.[50] Miller's period of authorship was enormously commercially successful.[51] He left the series in order to pursue the creative freedom offered him by Marvel's competitor,DC Comics, who hired him to write a creator-owned "prestige" series,Ronin.[31]
Ann Nocenti became a long-running writer on the series, penning over 50 issues from 1986 to 1991.[52] In this period, Murdock returns to law by co-founding with Page, a nonprofit drug and legal clinic. Nocenti introduced the antagonistTyphoid Mary, who became a recurring villain.[53] Typhoid Mary hasdissociative identity disorder; while her "Typhoid" identity is evil, her alter ego, Mary Walker, is sweet and reserved, and enters into a relationship with Daredevil.[54] In Nocenti's storyline, Murdock becomes adrifter inupstate New York; this was the first time the character had been taken outside of an urban environment.[55] She concluded her run with a positive turn in Murdock's fortunes: He returns to Hell's Kitchen, regains his sense of self, reconciles with Foggy Nelson, and resolves to seek out Karen Page.[56] Comics scholar Robert Hagan points out that Nocenti integrates themes fromsecond-wave feminism intoDaredevil in ways that are unusual and innovative for superhero comics of the period.[57] For example, she criticizes the idealization of feminine domesticity as well as attempts by women to achieve liberation by simply imitating men, in stories featuring Karen Page, Typhoid Mary, and Brandy Ash, a minor supporting character who presents feminist views.[58]
New writerD. G. Chichester continued from where Nocenti left off.[56] In the early part of his run, Daredevil succeeds in toppling Kingpin from leadership of his criminal empire. This is a mirror of Miller's "Born Again", in which now it is Kingpin rather than Daredevil who is stripped of his power. Beginning with issue #305 (June 1992),Scott McDaniel became the new series penciller.[59] In this period there were often guest appearances from other Marvel characters who were popular at the time, such asGhost Rider.[60]
Frank Miller returned to the character and his origins with the 1993 five-issueDaredevil: The Man Without Fear miniseries.[61] With artistJohn Romita Jr., Miller expanded hisretcon of the life and death of Murdock's father, Jack Murdock, and Murdock's first encounters with the Kingpin and Foggy Nelson.[62] The story fleshed out the role ofStick in the genesis of Daredevil, as well as the beginning of Murdock's doomed love affair with Elektra. In this rendition, Elektra is more dominant and active as a character, and more sexually aggressive.[63] For this story, Miller and Romita citedWalter Mosley andMickey Spillane as inspirations.[64] Miller initially prepared the series as a scenario for a proposed TV series.[63]
The creative team of Chichester and McDaniel returned with their "Fall From Grace" storyline in issues #319–325 (Aug. 1993 – Feb. 1994). In this period, McDaniel emulated Frank Miller's later style in the noir crime comicSin City.[59]Elektra, who was resurrected in #190 but had not been seen since, finally returns. This was controversial at the time, because she was previously a character who had only been written by Frank Miller, and he opposed other writers re-introducing her.[65] An injured Daredevil creates a new armored costume. His secret identity becomes public knowledge, leading to him fake his own death. This new identity and costume lasts for several story arcs, until a short stint byJ. M. DeMatteis returned Daredevil to his traditional red costume and Matt Murdock's identity.[59]
In 1998,Daredevil's numbering was rebooted, with the title "canceled" with issue #380 and revived a month later as part of theMarvel Knights imprint.Joe Quesada drew the new series, written by filmmakerKevin Smith.[66] Its first story arc, "Guardian Devil", depicts Daredevil struggling to protect a child whom he is told could be theAnti-Christ. Murdock experiences a crisis of faith exacerbated by the discovery that Karen Page hasAIDS (later revealed to be a hoax) and her subsequent death atBullseye's hands.[67] Black Widow also returns to the series.[68] When Daredevil discovers that the true party responsible for the scheme isMysterio, who is dying of cancer, he leaves Mysterio to commit suicide.[67]
Smith was succeeded by writer-artistDavid Mack, who contributed the seven-issue "Parts of a Hole" (vol. 2, #9–15). The arc introduced Maya Lopez, also known asEcho, adeaf martial artist.[69] Critics have commended the character and the story as a complex and multifaceted portrayal of a disabled Latina and Indigenous superhero.[70]
The 2001Daredevil: Yellow miniseries presented another take on Daredevil's origins, purporting to illustrate letters written to Karen Page after her death. The series depicts the early rivalry between Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson for Page's affection, and incorporates many events depicted in the earliest issues ofDaredevil. The supervillains the Owl and thePurple Man appear as antagonists. In this story, Daredevil credits Page with coining the phrase "The Man Without Fear", and she suggests to Daredevil he wear all maroon instead of dark red and yellow.[71]
David Mack brought colleagueBrian Michael Bendis to Marvel to co-write the "Wake Up" arc in vol. 2, #16–19 (May 2001 – August 2001), which follows reporterBen Urich as he investigates the aftereffects of a fight between Daredevil and the newLeap-Frog, particularly on Leap-Frog's young son. After an interlude, Bendis resumed his arc in issue #26 (December 2001). In this run, Murdock meets his romantic interest and future wifeMilla Donovan, who is also blind.[72] Bendis's storyline also explores the re-emergence of the Kingpin and the betrayal of him by his associates. When Kingpin attempts to return to power, Daredevil beats him to the point of incapacity and declares himself a new "kingpin" of Hell's Kitchen, forbidding all criminal activity. In the Bendis and Maleev period, Daredevil's identity is leaked, first to the FBI and subsequently to the press.[73] He becomes desperate to hold onto his increasingly tenuous secret identity, willing to make enormous sacrifices in service of this goal. At the conclusion of Bendis's storyline, Murdock is arrested and imprisoned alongside his adversaries, with the FBI hoping that he will be killed by his enemies.[74] Bendis won anEisner Award for Best Writer for his work onDaredevil, as well as other concurrent titles, in 2002 and 2003.Daredevil by Bendis and Maleev also won the Eisner for Best Continuing Series in 2003.[75] Bendis says he was congratulated for this achievement by Frank Miller. However, Miller joked with him that the award was also his; Bendis responded that he was "glad that he knew I knew that without him, nothing we did would have existed."[74]
The impact of the exposure of Murdock's identity as Daredevil continued as a plot point in storylines by the new creative team, writerEd Brubaker and artistMichael Lark, beginning withDaredevil vol. 2, #82 (Feb. 2006).[76] Brubaker says that, in his view, "Daredevil is one of the most experimental mainstream comics there is," and cites inspiration fromnoir fiction.[77] Brubaker's arc begins with Murdock imprisoned. Another character masquerades as Daredevil inHell's Kitchen. Murdock later discovers this ersatz Daredevil is his friend Danny Rand, the superheroIron Fist.[76] Brubaker introduces the new characterMaster Izo, another blind warrior who founded the Chaste centuries ago.[78] Brubaker won Eisner Awards for Best Writer for his work onDaredevil and other titles in 2007, 2008, and 2010.[79]
In 2009, new writerAndy Diggle wrote a new story line in which Daredevil assumes leadership of the ninja army theHand.[80]
In 2010, Daredevil continues to lead the Hand with the intent of transforming them into an organization that seeks justice. However, when Bullseye kills over a hundred people with a bomb, Daredevil and the Hand launch an onslaught of vengeance. In the ensuing arc, "Shadowland", Daredevil makes the city block that Bullseye destroyed into a fortress administered by the Hand.[81] Murdock returns to his senses after a battle with Elektra and several superheroes.[82] The story reveals that Murdock's erratic behavior is caused by a demonic possession.[83] Purged of the demon by his allies, Murdock departs New York, and becomes the leading character of a new miniseries titledDaredevil: Reborn.[82] He leaves his territory in the hands of theBlack Panther in the briefly retitled series'Black Panther: Man Without Fear #513.[84]
In July 2011,Daredevil relaunched with vol. 3, written byMark Waid. Waid focuses on the character's powers and perception of the physical world.[85] The Waid period also emulates Stan Lee's earlier, more light-hearted tone.[86] Waid won the Eisner Award forDaredevil in 2012.[87] Daredevil also joins theNew Avengers in a story written by formerDaredevil series writerBrian Michael Bendis.[88] Waid also wrote a fourth volume ofDaredevil, in which Murdock moves back to San Francisco to practice law.[89]
A new volume, written byCharles Soule with art byRon Garney, began in February 2016. In this series, Murdock returns to New York, where he now works for the District Attorney.[90] Flashbacks in a later story arc reveal how Murdock regained his secret identity: Supernatural entities alter the memory of everyone on earth except Foggy Nelson.[91] Timothy Peters describes this plot twist as "fantastically ludicrous" but necessary in order to set up the future plot machinations that depend on the social discrepancy of a secret identity.[92] Peters views the subsequent storyline as an intriguing illustration of contemporary expectations and perceptions about the legal system.[93] Using his restored secret identity, Murdock is able to take advantage of a subsequent court case to establish a precedent for superheroes testifying in court without the need to expose their secret identities.[94] Despite interference from the Kingpin, Murdock succeeds in taking this precedent to the Supreme Court so that all superheroes will have the same rights in future cases.[91]
In April 2019, the series began a brand-new volume written byChip Zdarsky and with art primarily by Marco Checchetto.[95] In this story, Kingpin becomes Mayor of New York.[96] In the Zdarsky arc, Daredevil temporarily quits his superhero activities out of guilt after killing a thief accidentally. When a team of villains invades Hell's Kitchen, he returns to fight alongside Elektra and ordinary citizens who have collectively adopted the "Daredevil" identity.[96] In the aftermath of the battle, he gives himself up to police custody. He continues to conceal his face with his mask, stating that he wants to stand trial for his crimes but will only do so on the condition that his identity is never revealed. He voluntarily confesses to the killing and is sentenced to a prison term. While Murdock serves his time, Elektra takes up the Daredevil costume and protects Hell's Kitchen at his behest.[95] In the prison, Murdock grapples with the idea that Daredevil and Matt Murdock work together to put people in prison, which he comes to see as ruining people's lives without reforming them.[97] Zdarsky was nominated for anEisner Award for his writing on this series.[98] The series lead into the crossover event "Devil's Reign" with the same creative team. Following the conclusion of that series, anotherDaredevil series, also written by Zdarsky, was launched in July 2022.[99]
A new volume, written bySaladin Ahmed and drawn byAaron Kuder, began in November 2023.[100]
Matthew Murdock is born in Hell's Kitchen, a working-class Irish-American district of New York City. Suffering from post-partum depression, his mother,Maggie, abandons the family and becomes a nun.[101] His father,Jack Murdock, is a struggling professional boxer. Matt's father is loving but controlling and over-protective, and physically abusive on one instance.[102] As a youth, Matt Murdock is struck by a truck carrying radioactive materials. The accident blinds him, but gives him enhanced senses that give him extraordinary perception of his environment.[8] Matt is mentored byStick, a mysterious sensei.[103] Matt attendsColumbia University and meetsFoggy Nelson andElektra Natchios. Nelson becomes Murdock's best friend, and Elektra becomes Matt's first serious girlfriend. Jack Murdock refuses to throw a fight on orders from a gangster called the Fixer, because he does not want to be humiliated in front of his son. As a result, the Fixer has Jack killed.[104] Matt is driven to bring his father's killers to justice, and eventually does so.[8] The Fixer dies of a heart attack when he is confronted by Matt. As a result of Matt taking revenge, Stick ends his training, believing that Matt is undisciplined. Matt and Foggy found a law firm, Nelson and Murdock. Matt begins a second career as a costumed vigilante.[104]
Karen Page eventually joins the firm, and becomes Nelson's girlfriend after college. He encounters many supervillains. He reveals his secret identity to Page, but she is anxious about the relationship and eventually leaves to pursue a career as an actress in Hollywood.[14] Briefly, Murdock moves to San Francisco and lives withNatasha Romanova, who is also a costumed adventurer under the name Black Widow.[105] After they break up, he returns to New York and begins a relationship with Heather Glenn.[24] However, his on-again off-again girlfriend Elektra returns, now a mysterious and fearsome ninja. Together, they find a criminal organization called the Hand.[106] However, she becomes an enforcer for a local crime boss, the Kingpin. She is eventually killed by a hitman, Bullseye.[47] Karen Page has become a drug addict, and betrays Murdock's confidence by selling his secret identity to criminals.[107] However, she returns to New York and begs forgiveness, which Murdock gives her, and she recovers from her drug addiction. She is later killed by Bullseye as well, however.[67] He then marriesMilla Donovan, a woman without superpowers who is also blind.[72] Simultaneously, his secret identity is leaked to the press, and he becomes desperate to cast doubt on the public's suspicions about his activities. For a time, he declares himself a new kingpin of his neighborhood, forbidding criminal activity.[72] Murdock is subsequently imprisoned,[74] and later escapes.[76] He experiences many other adventures and misfortunes. He then assumes control of the Hand, and attempts to employ them as an army against criminals and evil-doers.[82] In the process of doing so, he becomes possessed by a demon, and his efforts go wildly out of control.[83] He is purged of the demon by his friends and allies, and eventually returns to his previous role as an enforcer of justice.[82]
Eventually, it becomes an open secret that Matt Murdock is Daredevil; however, supernatural entities alter the fabric of human knowledge so that Daredevil can again become an unknown, mysterious figure.[91] However, he accidentally kills a common thief. Overcome by guilt, Murdock tries to give up the Daredevil identity and crime-fighting activity. Elektra takes on the Daredevil identity in his stead.[108] He feels compelled to return to such endeavors when a team of supervillains invades Hell's Kitchen; he fights alongside Elektra and a legion of ordinary citizens who have also adopted the "Daredevil" symbolism.[96] Subsequently, Murdock and Elektra battle the Hand, and Murdock is killed. He is then resurrected as a Catholic priest.[108]
Critics have commented that Daredevil is unusually psychologically complex, by the standards of comic-book superheroes.[109]
The character is highly determined and willing to make bold decisions to in order to fight crime in his city. In his public personality, as trial lawyer Matt Murdock, he also tries to defend his clients and to work within the established legal system.[110] Frank Miller argues that Murdock has taken on two demanding careers (as lawyer and vigilante) because of a need to prove himself, compensating for his blindness. Miller believes that, likeBatman, Daredevil is driven by his concern for justice, but while Batman is primarily concerned with punishing criminals, Daredevil is more interested in finding redress for victims.[111] The contrast between his love of the law in his regular life and his exceptional vigilante activities often produces problems for him. He is also sometimes ruthless and deceptive, and this can put his friends and loved ones at risk. Timothy Callahan argues that Murdock is often mentally unstable or evenpsychotic "in his willingness to layer the fabric of lies in his relationships with others."[112] One of his fundamental conflicts is between his attraction to extra-legal justice and punishment and his simultaneous fascination with objective order and legal, rational explanation.[113]
Matt's determination to forgive rather than prosecute whenever possible places Daredevil in a unique situation among comic book vigilantes. Though spurred into heroics by the murder of his father, he's driven consciously by neither revenge (Batman) nor guilt (Spider-Man) but rather by the desire to see justice done.
Miller says that Murdock is drawn to violence because of anger at the world regarding his disability as well as his unresolved conflict with his father.[115] Murdock's father, "Battlin' Jack", was a professional boxer who prohibited Matt from any athletic activity and compelled him to devote his time to study, attempting to mold an entirely different life for his son.[116] Learning of his disobedience, the father resorted to corporal punishment to control his son. These events led Murdock to become obsessed with determining the proper moral and legal rules for behavior, and to develop a highly ambivalent relationship tocombat sports and thrill-seeking behavior.[117] Film and comic scholar Paul Young points out that the stories often depict a gap between Murdock's stated motivations and his actions, demonstrating that Murdock has inherently limited self-knowledge and sometimes deceives himself with incomplete justifications for his choices.[118]
Murdock is a devoutCatholic and often tormented by religious and moral guilt.[119] However, he also has many romantic affairs, which frequently end badly. Miller also sees the character as driven by sensuality.[120] Psychologist Travis Langley and comics journalist Christine Hanefalk comment that this disposition could be described as asensation seeking personality trait.[121] They note that while Murdock has had many lovers, he takes the approach ofserial monogamy rather than promiscuity or sex addiction.[122]
Like other comic books influenced byfilm noir, Daredevil comics often depict modern urban society as highly corrupt, with no trustworthy authority. The comics frequently present a crisis of authority in which Daredevil or various antagonists, such as Kingpin, attempt to achieve a position of sovereignty in order to enforce some kind of recognized order.[123] Comics scholars Vernon and Gustafson point out that the comic is generally "resistant to following the norms of the superhero genre" and reveals a paradoxical duality for the hero, who is uniquely vulnerable as well as empowered with extra-legal powers of enforcement.[124] They say that this demonstrates the instability of modern urban society.[125] Daredevil comics also present debates on questions about religion and the relationship between human and divine justice, as well as Christian ideals of forgiveness and generosity. In particular, Matt Murdock is a devoutCatholic, and some stories, such as Miller'sBorn Again, treat themes and traditions particular to the Catholic denomination.[126]
From his creation, Daredevil is depicted as having aworking class,Irish American childhood. English literature scholar Kevin Michael Scott writes that "When Daredevil first appeared in 1964, there was no other comic that placed its hero so squarely in the realm of the poor and working classes."[127] In the period of Miller's authorship, his characterization emphasized a particularlyIrish Catholic identity (Miller comes from an Irish Catholic ethnic background as well).[128] Scholar Matthew Cressler argues that Daredevil's disability has a particular resonance for Catholic culture, because Catholic tradition and folklore presents afflictions or impairments as opportunities for holiness and potential sainthood.[129] Cressler views theBorn Again story as particularly inflected with Catholic cultural tradition and in dialogue with Catholic expectations.[130] He argues that the significance ofboxing in Daredevil's early life and training has a particular meaning for US Catholic culture, because "boxing was a crucial site for the making of American Catholic manhood in the twentieth century," commended by clergy as a means to learn moral and spiritual discipline.[131] Cressler argues thatBorn Again also a demonstrates awhite racial identity beyond Irish Catholic ethnicity, because Daredevil concerns himself with protecting his neighborhood and loved ones from vices and dangers that the narrative associates with minor antagonists who are not white.[132] Cressler associates this with the cultural affinity of Irish Americans with thepresidency of Ronald Reagan and his values and rhetoric.[133]
However, Paul Young draws attention to a complex and unresolved combination of social and political values in Daredevil's character and activities; while he sometimes practices violent retribution andlaw and order principles, he also adheres tosocial liberalism in his stated ideals and in his moral choices and behaviors.[134] While the character has a clear ethnic and racial identity, fans who are not white have said that they find themselves able to closely identify with Daredevil's characteristics. For example, John Jennings, an African-American professor ofCultural Studies andBlack studies, has written that he particularly identified with Daredevil as a child because of Daredevil's childhood poverty, his isolation and feeling of peculiarity, his experience ofbullying, and his tenacity.[135]
The comic series also often addresses the challenges of blindness andvisual impairment. Comics scholar José Alaniz notes thatDaredevil was the first MarvelSilver Age series about a disabled protagonist; he notes that it "proved a landmark for the depiction of disability in a notoriouslyableist genre."[136] Daredevil is the best-known blind superhero, and one commentator claims that he is the first.[1] However, fan commentator Christine Hanefalk points out one predecessor in American comic books:Doctor Mid-Nite, created in 1941.[137][138]
Nonetheless, along withProfessor X, Daredevil is one of the first post-World-War-II disabled superheroes.[139] Other supporting characters in the series are also blind, such asStick.[41] Writer/co-creatorStan Lee said that he was worried that blind people would be offended at how far he exaggerated the enhancement of a blind person's remaining senses, but that his fears were assuaged by letters from organizations such as the Lighthouse for the Blind, which said that blind people greatly enjoyed having Daredevil comics read to them.[140] Alaniz points out that Daredevil is powerful "not in spite of but because of his disability/superpowers; rather than vulnerabilities to be hidden away, they form a crucial part of his identity." He views this as a stark contrast to the general assumptions about disabled people in the period in which Daredevil was first created, when they were often presented as objects of pity.[141]
The stories also often address the long-term effects of trauma andadverse childhood experiences. The early stories first introduce Matt Murdock's complex relationship with his father, and Murdock's experience of loss and drive for justice following his father's murder.[116] Matt Murdock's abandonment by his mother, physically abusive treatment by his alcoholic father, and bullying from childhood peers are all detailed by later stories in the series.[142] Other prominent characters, such as Kingpin and Elektra, are also revealed to have experienced childhood misfortunes that affect aggressive and thrill-seeking behavior in adulthood.[143] In 1981, Miller declared that "violence is actually the theme of the book," insisting on the depiction of realistic injury in order to convey the hazards and moral ambiguity of a heroic lifestyle.[144]
Although the character is blind, his remaining four senses function with superhuman accuracy and sensitivity, giving him abilities far beyond the limits of a sighted person. Few characters know that the hero cannot see. Generally speaking, the stories operate with the premise that Daredevil compensates for his missing sight with his other heightened senses (in particular,olfactory,auditory, andsomatosensory perception).[145]
Daredevil's superhuman hearing functions as apolygraph to determine dishonesty by listening for changes in a person's heartbeat. However, a person with a pacemaker can avoid detection because of an artificially regular heartbeat.[146] His heightened hearing can in some circumstances cause problems for him as he runs the risk of becoming overstimulated.[147] Daredevil is also able to use his hearing to perceive spatial entities and relations, byecholocation. This is an exaggerated depiction of a real ability that some blind people have cultivated.[148] Daredevil can use his sense of smell to orient himself in his surroundings.[149] He can also read by passing his fingers over the letters on a page.[149]
Daredevil's radioactive accident also led him to develop a "radar-sense", mentioned along with his first appearance. This seems generally synonymous with echolocation.[149] Frank Miller's interpretation of the character makes his abilities somewhat more toned down and realistic. For example, his radar sense is less like clear vision and more like a "proximity" sense Miller derived from the comments of some martial artists.[150]
Daredevil has an enhanced sense of balance and coordination. In most cases, he is depicted as also possessing superhuman agility, reflexes, and stamina. In all cases, Daredevil is depicted as a master of martial arts and expert acrobat and gymnast, with his superhuman attributes aiding him in his mastery of these skills.[151]
Matt Murdock was initially self-taught as aboxer, following his father's example. Subsequently, he was trained byStick to become a master hand-to-hand combatant inmartial arts.[152] He practicesmixed martial arts, primarily combining boxing withninjutsu.[153]
Daredevil's signature weapon is hisbaton, which he created. Disguised as a blind man's cane in civilian garb, it is a multi-purpose weapon and tool that contains cable connected to a steelgrappling hook. The club can be split into two parts, one of which is a fighting baton, the other of which ends in a curved hook.[151]
In his civilian identity, Murdock is a skilled and respected New York attorney.[151] He is a detective and interrogation expert.[154]
Elektra Natchios is a pivotal character for Daredevil,[155] at different times being an enemy, a romantic partner, and an ally.[156] Elektra made her debut as a bounty hunter, and though her initial time as part of Daredevil's rogues' gallery was brief (spanning barely a year of the first Frank Miller series), her romantic past with him is an important part of the mythos.[157] Created by Frank Miller, the character first appeared inDaredevil #168 (Jan. 1981).[156] Her violent nature and mercenary lifestyle has served as a point of conflict between her and Daredevil, which, in 2020, culminated in her becoming the second Daredevil.[95]
Elektra is an unusually ruthlessantihero andfemme fatale. Scholar Paul Young defines some of her defining initial characteristics as including her succinct speech patterns, her "athletic, eroticized body," herfather complex, and her lethal weapons and fighting prowess. He notes that another critic, Larry Rodman, compared her to a "psychoticswimsuit model".[158]
She shows few compunctions about killing her adversaries, and in some stories even kills innocent people. However, she maintains a strong affection for Matt Murdock and, later, other people she admires. She is often morally conflicted, and eventually attempts to use her skills for good.[159] Miller says that Elektra's violent disposition originates from the trauma of the loss of her father, and that he meant the character to illustrate Jung'sElectra complex: "She was a young woman who had her sexual interest centered on her father, and just as she was transferring this to another man, her father is killed." Miller argues that this initial anger led to corruption by other forces (the Hand and the Kingpin). In his view she is not essentially good, but rather "one of the villains who's got a weak streak in them."[160]
Elektra returned to the series, resurrected, first in one of the arcs written byD.G. Chichester.[59] She has continued to appear in various subsequent series as a complicatedanti-hero.[157] In stories of the 2020s, she even takes on the identity of Daredevil herself, initially because the original Daredevil is imprisoned.[108]
Throughout the coreDaredevil series, many characters have had an influence in Matt Murdock's life. His father instills in Murdock the importance of education and nonviolence with the aim of seeing his son become a better man than himself, forbidding his son from undertaking any kind of physical training. It is his father's murder that prompts Daredevil to become a hero.[8]
Matt Murdock's closest friend isFranklin "Foggy" Nelson, his college roommate,sidekick, and law partner. Their relationship in the early years of the series was fraught with tension due to Nelson's sense of inferiority to Murdock as a lawyer and as a rival for the affections of their secretary,Karen Page.[45] The pudgy and fallible Nelson has often been used by writers for lightheartedness and even comic relief.[161] However, in some stories Nelson is a close confidante to Murdock; when his secret identity is restored by supernatural means, only Foggy continues to be aware that Murdock and Daredevil are the same person.[91]Ben Urich, a reporter for theDaily Bugle, often appears in Daredevil stories. An investigative reporter, Urich shares some of Daredevil's intellectual abilities but does not have any kind of fighting prowess. He discovers Daredevil's identity and eventually becomes his friend as well.[28]
The anti-heroPunisher is one of Daredevil's reluctant allies, as well as his antagonist due to their different philosophies in crime-fighting.[162] Daredevil is somewhat unusual among superheroes in that he does not generally work consistently with a group of teammates. However, he has worked alongside theDefenders and theAvengers. In 2011, Daredevil joined one version of the Avengers, led by Luke Cage, as well as one of the iterations of the Defenders.[163] In a variety of stories in the comics, Daredevil works together withJessica Jones,Iron Fist, andLuke Cage, as individuals or in a group.[164]
Daredevil has a convoluted and often tortured love life. His relationships often end badly. The longest connections he has maintained with women have been with other costumed fighters:Black Widow and Elektra. The relatively high number of violent deaths for his partners has been criticized as examples of thewomen in refrigerators trope, according to which female characters in comic books are often disposable and serve as plot devices to motivate or complicate male heroes.[165]
Murdock had a long-term relationship withKaren Page. Initially, Murdock and Foggy Nelson constituted a love triangle with Page, with each vying for affections.[45] Murdock revealed his secret identity to her inDaredevil #56 (September 1969).[166] Page has various doubts and anxieties about her relationship.[167] However, inDaredevil #86 (January 1972), Page leaves to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.[45] He maintains an on-again off-again relationship until her tragic death. Like Elektra, Page is murdered by Bullseye; but she is never resurrected.[67]
In the 1970s, he had a romantic relationship with Black Widow, who fought crime with him while they were in San Francisco. Theycohabited, a daring choice for the time. She complained about Daredevil's sexist attitudes, and broke off the relationship because she felt subordinate.[168] They remain close confidantes in ensuing stories. Some critics suggest that the series consistently presents Black Widow as the best match for Daredevil.[169]
In the later 1970s, Daredevil began a relationship with heiress and party girl Heather Glenn. He revealed his identity to her in a 1977 storyline.[170] As Young puts it, Glenn has "a casual and flirty manner, and a voracious sexual appetite;" she is also elusive and casual regarding her relationship with Murdock. Young compares to her to one of the Sternwood sisters from Chandler'sThe Big Sleep.[167] Glenn eventually kills herself, inDaredevil #220 (March 1985).[171] As initially characterized byGerry Conway, Glenn is somewhat stereotyped because of her flighty nature. However, Young argues that theFrank Miller period gives her a degree of verisimilitude, even arguing that she has more depth thanChris Claremont's female heroes.[172] In contrast, J. Andrew Deman has argued that Miller's depiction of women is much more stereotypical than Clarement's.[51] The period of stories authored byAnn Nocenti has been commended for its complex, iconoclastic approach to Daredevil's female supporting characters and love interests.[57]
In the late 1990s, he had a brief relationship withMaya Lopez, a deaf woman and skilled martial artist. While Murdock and Lopez fell in love, Lopez was manipulated by the Kingpin into believing that Daredevil had killed her father (while it was Kingpin himself who was responsible). Under the name Echo, Lopez fought Daredevil and was eventually convinced of his innocence.[70]
In the 2000s, Murdock marries a woman namedMilla Donovan. Donovan shares Murdock's disability.[72] Eventually, one of Daredevil's enemies drives her to insanity.[78]
In his early years, Daredevil fought a number of costumed supervillains, such as theOwl, thePurple Man, and the Matador.[173] Marv Wolfman introduced the psychopathic assassinBullseye in 1976.[174]
Frank Miller's run onDaredevil pared down the rogues gallery toKingpin, previously introduced as an antagonist ofSpider-Man, and Bullseye.[175] The Kingpin learned Daredevil's secret identity in the "Born Again" storyline.[176] InDaredevil #254,Ann Nocenti introducedTyphoid Mary, an assassin for the Kingpin withdissociative identity disorder (the diagnostic term for multiple personalities), who would become a prominent Daredevil foe.[53] Nocenti created Typhoid Mary after reflecting on experiences working in asylums for the mentally ill, about the condition ofbipolar disorder, and about stereotypes regarding women in comic books.[177]
Subsequent writers, such asJeph Loeb,Brian Michael Bendis andEd Brubaker, have re-introduced the Daredevil's rogues gallery of the 1960s, particularly the Owl.[178]
Daredevil has served as a source of inspiration for comic readers with disabilities, particularly those withvisual impairment. The singerTom Sullivan, a blind man, has written that "when I read my first Daredevil in the mid-'60s, I decided Matt Murdock represented everything I thought I could be." Further, he argued that blind people sometimes experience enhanced awareness of other senses, like Daredevil; he credits inspiration from Daredevil with cultivating his own abilities.[148] Literature professor José Alaniz says that the character is particularly groundbreaking as a depiction of an empowered blind person, and significant for the perceptions of disabled people more generally.[136]
However, the series was not particularly popular until the period of Frank Miller's authorship. During this period, circulation doubled, to average sales of 276,812 copies per month.[31] His story arcs onDaredevil were the only sales competition forChris Claremont'sUncanny X-Men, the consistent top seller in the 1980s.[51]
Miller'sDaredevil was also innovative in the degree of violence that could be depicted in a mainstream superhero comic book, particularly in the instance of the murder of Elektra by Bullseye in 1982.[179] Daredevil was also a primary inspiration for theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The concept took its ninja imagery fromDaredevil.[180] In theoriginal comics, the characters were even implied to be the pet turtles of Matt Murdock, who mutated as a result of the same accident that gave him superpowers.[181] However, by the mid-1990s sales had greatly declined, to such an extent that the series was in danger of cancellation. For this reason, it was revamped under the "Marvel Knights" imprint, which encouraged input from creators outside traditional mainstream comics.[182]
Joe Quesada, an editor at Marvel, says that filmmakerKevin Smith's authorship of the "Guardian Devil" arc of theDaredevil series in 1998-1999 "changed everything" and that this is "probably the single most important development in this particular era of comics, from the '90s to today." Quesada says this is because Smith was the first Hollywood director to write a mainstream superhero comic, and this encouraged subsequent authorship of comics by writers from film, TV, and literature.[183] Smith's tenure also garnered high sales. This storyline wonEagle Awards, accolades chosen by comics fans in the United Kingdom, for story and inking.[184]
Daredevil has appeared in various other media, particularly in television and film.
He was first adapted in the television filmThe Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), portrayed byRex Smith.[185] ADaredevil live-action feature film starringBen Affleck as the character and directed byMark Steven Johnson was released in 2003. The film received mixed reviews from critics, and was a moderate box-office success.[186][187]
In 2015, aDaredevil television series set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, starringCharlie Cox asthe protagonist and created byDrew Goddard, premiered onNetflix and lasted for three seasons until 2018.[188] It was acclaimed by critics and attracted acult following from fans.[189] Executive producerSteven S. DeKnight said that it took inspiration from theFrank Miller period as well as the storylines byBrian Michael Bendis andAlex Maleev, with Maleev's art in particular providing "a template for the look of the show".[190] Then-Disney CEOBob Iger stated thatMarvel's Netflix series, such asDaredevil, could later be adapted as feature films if they were sufficiently popular.[191] Arevival and continuation of the series,Daredevil: Born Again, premiered onDisney+ in 2025, with Cox reprising the role.[192] Cox also plays the character in thecrossoverminiseriesThe Defenders (2017),[193] the filmSpider-Man: No Way Home (2021),[194] and the Disney+ seriesShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022),[195]Echo (2024),[196] andYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025).[197]
The one thing that worried me about Daredevil – I wondered if blind people would be offended, because we were exaggerating so much what a blind person can do [...]. But I was so pleased – after the books were published, we started getting letters from charities for blind people, like the Lighthouse for the Blind in New York. Letters saying, 'We've been reading these stories to the people here and they love them, and they're so pleased you have a super-hero who is sightless.'
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