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TOP TEN... FAVORITE DAREDEVIL STORIES


Three other long time DD fans helped on this one: William Koenig, Kuljit Mithra, and Jack Rockley, Jr. Below the table listing our 10 favorite issues, you'll find the reasons for our choices and some honorable mentions that didn't make our top ten. Interestingly enough, each of these fans complained about it being difficult to select ONLY ten titles, and sent along a list of honorable mentions as well as their comments. If you're new to DD, or just looking to collect some back issues, these are all GREAT stories!

  Bill's Picks Kuljit's Picks Jack's Picks Kevin's Picks
1 Daredevil #181 Daredevil #6 Daredevil #-1 Daredevil #181
2 Daredevil #7 Daredevil #191 Daredevil #18 Daredevil #188
3 Fantastic Four #73 Daredevil #227 Daredevil #91 Daredevil #-1
4 Daredevil #233 DD/Deadpool '97 Daredevil #215 Daredevil #233
5 Daredevil #41 Elektra Lives Again Daredevil #304 Daredevil #304
6 Fantastic Four #39 Daredevil #-1 Daredevil #99 Daredevil #261
7 Daredevil #190 Daredevil: Love and War Daredevil #218 Daredevil #227
8 Daredevil #32 Daredevil #208 Daredevil #191 Marv. Com. Presents #93
9 Daredevil Annual #1 Defenders GS #3 Daredevil/Batman Daredevil #38
10 Daredevil #300 Daredevil #223 Marv. Two-In-One #37 Daredevil #18

Bill's Comments

1. DD 181. Throughout 1981, as the whole Elektra/Kingpin/Bullseye saga unfolded, I'd get excited around the first of the month because I knew another issue was coming out. I just didn't know what was coming next. Then, in early '82, this issue came out. I felt both excited and disturbed, especially with the eerie ending with Bullseye, the narrator of the story, still swearing revenge while paralyzed in the hospital. A classic. If Frank Miller and Klaus Janson never did another comic, this issue would secure their reputation among comic creators.

2. DD 7. The cover said, "This issue doesn't need any hard sell! It's one of Marvel's greatest!" For once, Stan Lee's hype was right on target. To me, this single issue defined a lot of what makes DD a distinct character (and NOT a Spider-Man knockoff). DD is out powered from the get go, but never gives up. It may sound silly, but the end sequence, where the Sub Mariner talks about how DD was the most courageous of all the humans he had fought, still sends a tingle up my spine. Two creators, Lee and Wally Wood, at peak form.

3. FF 73. There are a few plot holes and confusing exchanges. There's even a major gaffe involving DD (he's drawn on page 2 without eye filters in his mask). But this story, which climaxed a two-part story in DD 37 and 38, still is great fun. DD, after having defeated Doctor Doom (through wits and not brawn) is attacked by the FF (thinking he's Doom). This provides Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott with enough material for slam-bang story telling.

4. DD ???? The conclusion (233 maybe) of the Born Again story, while not quite up to 181, comes awfully close to that level.

5. DD 41. "The Death of Mike Murdock," featured one of Gene Colan's best covers, with a ghostly Daredevil reaching out to the reader while New Yorkers (including Karen Page) are oblivious. The story also has long-range importance, setting up creation (a decade later) of the villain who'd be featured in Miller's first issue.

6. FF 39. Daredevil helps out a powerless Fantastic Four. Wally Wood (uncredited) inks Jack Kirby's Matt Murdock and Daredevil drawings (Frank Giacoia did the remainder of the inking and is credited). A feast for the eyes.

7. DD 190. Miller probably kicks himself for doing this issue (after all he did bring Elektra back to life), but the ending is uplifting as Elektra climbs the mountain. Also great banter between Matt and Natasha.

8. DD 32. "To Fight the Impossible Fight." Daredevil, with no super senses, just an ordinary blind man, against Mr. Hyde and the Cobra. Nearly all of the issue is colored a dark blue, to signify that the battle is happening in total darkness (DD kills the lights while the villains squabble). A similar theme to No. 7, where DD battles on despite long odds. He finds the serum that restores his super senses and kicks butt at the very end (maybe page 18 of a 20 page story). Gene The Dean is in top form.

9. Annual No. 1. Standard villains team up to get our hero story, but Gene Colan's artwork is a thing of beauty, not to mention the pinups he drew. And there's the 3-page backup story showing Stan Lee and Gene at work. Stan, of course, is trying to pawn all the work off on Gene.

10. DD 300. Probably D.G. Chicester's best effort, and one that made me think he'd emerge as the successor to Miller. It didn't work out that way, but that doesn't detract from this issue. The many highlights include Peter and Mary Jane Parker rooting DD on, Matt's infuration with Nick Fury and the big climax where DD takes the Kingpin down, finally.

Admittedly, my list skews toward the older stuff.

And, even though you didn't ask for it, some Honorable Mentions (not ranked):

Giant Size Defenders 3 (DD dies, is revived, then saves the universe); Avengers 82 (DD helps out the Avengers); DD 52 (Barry Windsor-Smith in his early Kirby-imitator days and a team up with T'Challa; we haven't seen the DD/Panther team in recent years but they make a good pair); DD 16-17; DD 25 (The "birth" of Mike Murdock has to be seen to be believed); DD 8.

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Kuljit's Comments

Okay, my top ten is probably going to show my age, since I'm assuming you and the other two are older than me...

1. #6 The first issue I ever read. It was at a time I needed something to read on a long trip, and I found this issue in a store selling for $1. It introduced me to DD, and got me interested in the character. Probably not the 'best' issue, but it's important to me.

2. #191 The dilemma of being a hero.

3. #227 The emergence of David Mazzucchelli as a premier DD artist.

4. Daredevil/Deadpool '97 Funny, well written, and one of the best comics of 97.

5. Elektra Lives Again After waiting YEARS for the thing, it only confused me more when I read it. But Lynn Varley's colours on Miller's art are just beautiful.

6. #-1 A simple tale that shows what DD is all about.

7. Daredevil Graphic Novel Shows the DD/Kingpin relationship amidst the crazy Sienkiewicz art. Somehow it worked for me.

8. #208 Just plain fun to read.

9. Defenders GS-#3 DD saves the world!

10. #223 At the end, you understand why DD doesn't want his gift from the Beyonder.

Ah, but what do I know... I just like them, okay! :)

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Jack's Comments

1. DD Minus 1: Good story about Matt and his father. Brought many memories back of when my dad and mom took me to OU for the first time.

2. #18: The first Gladiator issue. This has always been a favorite. The love triangle between Matt, Foggy and Karen. Too good to pass up.

3. #91: I love Mr. Fear what can I say. This also was a good one...especially when Matt's identity is blown so easily because of his move to SF.

4. #215: The Two-Gun-Kid and Matt team-up but in different times. My two favorite Marvel lawyers in a semi-team-up. I liked the feel of the old story then fading to the new. The bullet was a little "hokey" but I liked the story as a good ol' fashion superhero book.

5. #304: A day in the life of DD. Just a good issue. No supervillains, just DD helping the normal guy. It's a feel good issue.

6. #99: Hawkeye vs DD for the love of the Black Widow. Nuf said...great fun!

7. #218: The Jester...DD poses as the Jester to lead the police on a wild goose chase as the Jester gives the performance of his career. This was great and right in character for Matt...whenever one of his foes wanted to go straight, Matt was right there rooting them on.

8. #191: Russian Roulette with Bullseye. We get to see a side of Matt that we don't usually see.

9. DD + Batman: I liked this one. I may be the minority, but when DD says "Blink" the issue was sold!

10. Marvel 2-in-1 #37: The Thing and Matt Murdock Here we see Matt in action always a good buy.

Honorable Mentions:
#161: Bullseye vs Black Widow...Heather Glenn's father's funeral as she just learned out that Matt is DD and blames him for the death. Spiderman/Kingpin - To the Death: Just an all out super action fun! #154: Purple Man, Gladiator, Hyde, and Jester....take on DD in a prison...Paladin co-stars. Great action and a close to the Purple Man in the DD books. #131: 1st Bullseye if I remember correctly. #220: The Death of Heather Glenn, Matt must come to terms with her death as he doesn't answer her call right away.

As you can see where my tastes lie. In those issues where Matt and DD are the star. DD is Matt and vice versa. The early 300s and late 200s just weren't my cup of tea. I didn't really care for the roaming DD. So hence most of my faves are before that time or after it. Like I said you need to do a story arcs list. A lot of my more memorable issues is on the story arcs...especially with Fear and the Jester, but singly they don't fly. Oh, well.

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Kevin's Comments

1. DD #181 Elektra's death. DD "dropping"? Bullseye. Bullseye swearing revenge from his hospital bed. Thrills, chills, spills...this double-sized extravaganza had it all! Oh, yeah: Miller & Janson produced this minor masterpiece. Not only one of the best DDs -- I'd say one of the top issues of any title in recent history.

2. DD #188 Following the whole Stick/Chaste vs. the Hand with the Black Widow thrown in to boot. We learn more about the Chaste with each issue...more about Matt's abilities and training...when these issues were coming out, I literally couldn't put them down. Then I'd go back a few issues, and reread up to the issue I had just read. Then I'd fume that I had to wait a month to see what would happen next!

3. DD #-1 Daredevil's strongest trait for me is that it is a comic about people or characters. The issues are short stories about people's lives just told in comic format. Very few other titles can boast this sort of story-telling. And this is one of the best examples. I HIGHLY recommend this issue to ANYONE.

4. DD #233 Being a good venue for stories about people/characters, I often find that super heroes from other books can appear even more interesting than when I read them in their own titles. Capt. America's power and presence came through to me in parts of this story like never before. Iron Man and the Avengers also. I usually think of Iron Man as a pretty wimpy character, but when DD hears his servos channelling enough power to "level a city block" or whatever the issue said, I felt chills running down my spine. Oh, yeah: the Kingpin and the conclusion to the Born Again storyline also happen to be in this little Miller/Mazzuchelli story.

5. DD #304 A "Day in the Life" type story where DD doesn't save the Universe or even the city. There's not even a supervillain! DD prevents an accident, stops a possible child molestor, and prevents a policeman from shooting a kid with a fake gun. Not a bad days work!!

6. DD #261 Usually I just see the Fantastic Four battling things out with the super baddies. But here, as with Capt. America in #233, we get to meet a little more of one of Marvel's characters. This time it's the Human Torch. More about the person behind the FF costume, and about the people in Hell's Kitchen, than some super battle.

7. DD #227 This one has a great cover and is great all the way through. The more I go back and read these Miller/Mazzuchellis, the more I want to go back and read them again. This issue probably capsulizes DD vs. the Kingpin as well as any. And if I had any doubts as to whether anyone could produce issues at Miller/Janson's level, this issue laid that question to rest.

8. Marv. Comics Presents #93 This is one of the better DD/BW teamups. It makes for a great Mission Impossible type story, not to mention I enjoyed DD showing up the SHIELD folks who "wondered" if he was up to the job. Issue #298-300 is also fun for watching DD get the best of those "superspies".

9. DD #38 Part of the Dr. Doom storyline where Doom switches bodies with DD. After watching DD hold his own against Doom physically in FF#39,40, I particularly enjoyed watching DD outsmart Doom! Something usually only the Reed Richards of the world do!

10. DD #18 Foggy playing DD to impress the girl! The Gladiator, one of my favorite DD foes turned friends. This one has it all!

Honorable Mentions:
Annual 1 What a REAL annual used to be: bigger size, great story, some pinups and extra features. DD/DP '97 was one of the few annuals to stack up to that in YEARS. The scenes between Weasel and Foggy were priceless and show how supporting characters should be done! Man Without Fear #1 part of one of the better mini-series I've ever read. A must read for DD fans. #186 had a good storyline and was one of many examples of different layouts put together by Miller and Janson. All artists should be able to experiment this successfully!! #192 "Promises" showed how warped and manipulative the Kingpin is, and did a beautiful "human interest" story on Ben Urich and his wife -- one of the few comics to ever bring me close to tears. Powerful stuff. Holiday Special '93 the kind of stories that DD seems to pull off better than any other title: the whole story is told from the point of view of a lamb that DD is carrying to an orphanage. #298, #218, #7, and #191 are all great, and one or more of us have commented on them above.

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