Must-Read Daredevil Comics If You’re Watching Daredevil: Born Again

The new series takes its name from this most iconic of Daredevil stories, although from what I can tell at the time of this writing, it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the original comic plot-wise, except for the fact that the Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) is central to both stories. That said, the comic is still absolutely worth reading. In it, Fisk learns Daredevil’s secret identity and uses it to systematically destroy Matt Murdock’s civilian life, sending Matt careening into a breakdown. This comic helped define Daredevil as a character and is one of the landmark stories that launched what’s sometimes known as the Modern Age of Comics. Admittedly, the last couple of issues (#232-233) are kind of a mess and Miller’s treatment of Karen Page is…extremely Miller (she becomes an untrustworthy, drug-addicted sex worker out of nowhere, because Comics Aren’t Just For Kids Anymore!). But Mazzucchelli’s stunning artwork makes up for a lot of sins, and even with its faults, “Born Again” is a master class in character and comic book storytelling. A must-read.

The new show does seem to be taking very heavy inspiration from the 2015 run written by Charles Soule, particularly Fisk’s mayoral campaign. The show will also be using the serial killer Muse, a character created earlier in Soule’s run who also appears in the arc collected in this trade. I’m not sure how much fun it will be in 2025 to watch a convicted felon win an election despite all the good guys’ best efforts, or a wildly corrupt mayor of New York City constantly lying through his teeth, but I guess that’s why all the characters on the show drink so heavily.

This is just the first volume of the Zdarsky run, which includes both the 2019-2021 series (36 issues) and the 2022-2023 series (14 issues). I am so sorry comics are like this, but I heartily recommend the whole run (and here’s a remarkably comprehensive reading guide to make that a little less of a headache). Zdarsky excels at writing a Matt who is constantly careening from one disastrous decision to another in a desperate attempt to do the right thing, and if you’re already a fan of the show, you know that’s, like, Matt’s whole thing. Plus this run introduces Cole North, a cop who has no time for Matt’s nonsense or police corruption — and no, this isn’t the same old tired copaganda plotline you’re expecting. He’s been a great addition to Daredevil’s supporting cast in the comics, and will be played on the show by Jeremy Earl.

This is the start of the current run, which began in 2023. I don’t expect the show to draw from it — I don’t think they had time — but the show has always emphasized Matt’s Catholicism, and Ahmed’s run does too, with Matt coming back from the dead (sort of) (don’t worry about it) as a semi-amnesiac priest being plagued by demons embodying the Seven Deadly Sins. Matt’s terrible decision-making skills are up front and center in this run too, and I always enjoy that.

And now for something completely different! Tonally, the Waid run (initially with Rivera on art, then Samnee; both are geniuses) is nothing like the TV show: it’s bright and funny and swashbuckling, not a moody noir. It’s also, despite the upbeat tone, a brilliant exploration of Matt’s mental health struggles and masking. It’s my favorite Daredevil comic of all time and I am begging you on my knees to read it. Here’s a reading guide. You’re welcome. (Show connection: this run introduces the wonderful Kirsten McDuffie, Matt’s love interest and fellow lawyer, who will be played on the show by Nikki M. James.)