#Daredevil the Man without Fear Vol. 1

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

OUT OF THE PROVERBIAL FRYING PAN AND INTO NINJA HELL -- THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR UNLEASHED!

PIC(S) INFO: This month in the action-filled pages of "The Man without Fear" -- Spotlight on cover art to "Daredevil" Vol. 1 #189 ["SIEGE"]. December, 1982. Cover artwork by Frank Miller.

MINI-OVERVIEW: "Surrounded by a ninja cult known as the Hand, the Black Widow, DD and his mentor Stick must use all the powers at their disposal to survive. Large spacious panels make up much of Frank Miller's precise layouts. Though there's plenty of action, the most memorable scene is on pages 20-21: Matt Murdock and Heather Glenn featured in an emotionally charged sequence of silent panels. On the cover, Miller delivers another superbly dynamic composition. Portions of this copper age story were later reprinted in "Elektra Saga" #4. This is 31 of 33 "Daredevil" issues by Miller."

-- PENCIL AND INK (blogspot)

Miller: cover, pencils and inks, story layouts.

Klaus Janson pencils and inks.

Sources: https://pencilink.blogspot.com/2014/06/daredevil-189-frank-miller-art-cover.html & Marvel Database (official site).

[nfcomics]

DAREDEVIL Vol.1 no.252 • cover art • John Romita Jr. & Al Williamson [Mar 1988]

🖌️

#daredevil

#johnromitajr

#alwilliamson

#nightflightcomics

#nfcomics

#typhoidmary

#directsalesedition

#firsttyphoidmary

#typhoidmaryorigin

[theodore-sallis]

“When Strikes the Gladiator!” Daredevil (Vol. 1/1964), #113.

Writer: Steve Gerber; Penciler: William Robert Brown; Inker: Vince Colletta; Colorist: Linda Lessmann; Letterer: Artie Simek

[daresplaining]

Daredevil vol. 6 Annual #1 by Chip Zdarsky, Manuel Garcia, Chris Mooneyham, Rachelle Rosenberg, Le Beau Underwood, and Clayton Cowles

There's a part of me that says I should conserve the few Mike Murdock scenes that I haven't analyzed yet, because who knows when (or if...) we will get more? But it's also nuts to me that four years have gone by and I haven't posted about this scene yet, so screw it, I'm gonna talk about it now.

I've written a bit before about the way this issue emphasizes the concept of Mike barging into pre-existing spaces, observing things that had not been observed before by any pre-existing characters, and ultimately presenting a new path for readers to follow through Matt Murdock's life history. The creative team positions Mike not alongside his twin, but almost in opposition to him, through stark differences in their childhood experiences. Matt loved his father unconditionally, Mike's relationship with Jack was a bit more complicated. Matt tried to stay out of trouble in school, Mike beat up bullies without apology. And then we get this absolute bomb drop of a scene, in which Mike is present where no one was supposed to be, and as a result, is struck with a life-upending revelation that will not hit Matt until years later. This scene stunned me when I first read the issue, because no matter how much Real Boy Mike's story might have diverged from his brother's, I never expected him to have a different experience of this.

Daredevil vol. 1 #230 by Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli, Christie "Max" Scheele, and Joe Rosen

In Daredevil volume 1 #230, Matt finds himself in a church basement being cared for by nuns after collapsing, near death, in the street. As he lies there, feverish and delirious, he eventually takes notice of a particular nun. Her presence, her smell, and the feel of the cross necklace she wears (which, as seen in the panels above, she ends up giving to Matt) conjure up a long-forgotten memory from the time of his accident. He recognizes this nun as a mysterious woman who visited him in the hospital, as he lay suffering from his newly acquired hypersenses.

Man Without Fear vol. 1 #1 by Frank Miller, John Romita Jr., Christie Scheele, Al Williamson, and Joe Rosen

It is an intimate moment, written almost like a dream; a calming presence in the middle of one of the most nightmarish experiences of his life. Adult Matt pieces together this sensory puzzle, the mystery of this nun, and eventually uncovers the truth: that she is his mother, who he had been raised to believe was dead. This revelation is the start of a long and winding journey through which Matt and Maggie carefully, nervously inch back into each other's lives and begin to build a relationship.

But in the 2020 Annual, this private little moment between Matt and the stranger he will one day come to know as his mother is private no more. It now has a witness, and we the readers have a new, messier perspective on this classic scene. Enter: the brother who wasn't supposed to be there.

In this new version of Daredevil history, Mike spends the night at the hospital, watching over Matt after Jack is forced to leave for work. As Daredevil fans, we have spent plenty of origin retellings and flashbacks inside that hospital room, but Mike stays on a bench out in the hallway, involved but still not fully immersed in what is happening-- an intruder, a spare (I love the detail that he and Matt are dressed exactly the same in this scene). Not once do we see Mike enter that room at any point. The closest he comes to it on-panel is standing uncomfortably in the doorway. And that is how he remains when Maggie arrives and makes her fateful visit: outside, unconnected. When Mike wakes up, she is already in the room with Matt. Maybe she took a moment, as she passed by, to reach out to her other son and he just wasn't awake to notice. We might never know, and neither will he. What matters is that Mike is forced to listen in, and by listening in, he reaches the same conclusion about Maggie that Matt won't until years later. And for Mike, it isn't a gentle, gradual, fever-softened understanding. It is a sudden, nightmarish jolt at the end of a long day filled with sudden, nightmarish jolts.

Mike bears this revelation alone and silently. He could have marched into that room and confronted Maggie. He could have gone in after she left, just to be closer to his brother in this moment of shock and uncertainty. Instead, he chooses to walk away. Later in the issue he reveals to Jack that he has found out the truth, but if the volume 1 continuity has remained intact, we can assume that he never tells Matt. Instead, he carries the burden of this secret knowledge himself, and allows his brother the freedom and peace of mind to not be hurt by the shattering of such a foundational lie.

[foggynelsonarchive]

There are a few important points to consider here. This issue marks Matt's return to New York after some issues working alongside Black Widow.

He decides to come back for a particular reason: he hears on the news that Foggy is dying.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the one thing that can separate Matt from Natasha is Franklin Nelson.

In the following lines, Matt explains why:

"If Foggy dies, I really will be alone--no one to turn to--nowhere to go."

This sentiment is quite touching, especially given the ups and downs of their friendship.

Another interesting aspect is how well Matt understands Foggy's flaws - which mirror his own - and how deeply he appreciates the good work that his friend does.

The truth is: Matt only has Foggy in his life! Losing his friend is the only fear that the man without fear has.

This issue also marks the first appearance of the Nelsons.

Comics Daredevil focuses on the secret life of lawyer Matt and his heightened senses. However, those who cherish the human and relatable side of the hero will always appreciate any storyline that celebrates their friendship.

It’s definitely worth reading!

Daredevil vol 1 - 108

The Beetle Strikes Again

Writer - Steve Gerber

Artist - Bob Brown

Inker - Paul Gulacy

Letterer - John Constanza

Colorist - P. Goldberg

Editor - Roy Thomas

[rubaefool]

The times Matt Murdock in the comics changed to look more like his live action counterpart –

Comic: Daredevil Vol.2 #65 (Nov 2004)

Movie: Daredevil (2003)

and:

Comics: Daredevil Vol.5 #1 (Dec 2015), #6 (Apr 2016)

TV Show: Marvel's Daredevil (2015-2018)

Something interesting about the two is that the Ben lookalike still has his signature flaming red hair while the Charlie lookalike's hair is much more muted, almost brown – like the actor's hair itself. (In his defense, a prominent feature of that run are the muted colors of the art.)

Again, a bonus because I apparently do not have a life:

Comic: Man Without Fear #2 (2019)

[ungoliantschilde]

Daredevil: the Man Without Fear, Vol. 1 # 2 Page 08 by John Romita, Jr., with Inks by Al Williamson, Letters by Joe Rosen, Colors by Christie Scheele, and a Script by Frank Miller.

Gorgeous page. I’ve been staring at the Inks on the bottom panel for a while.

[kudosmyhero]

Daredevil (vol. 1) #125: Vengeance is the Copperhead!

Read Date: July 06, 2023 Cover Date: September 1975 ● Writer: Marv Wolfman ● Penciler: William Robert Brown ● Inker: Klaus Janson ● Colorist: Klaus Janson ● Letterer: John Costanza ● Editor: Len Wein ●

**HERE BE SPOILERS: Skip ahead to the fan art/podcast to avoid spoilers

● 👏👏👏👏

Synopsis: The villainous Copperhead fires a killer dart at Daredevil, however the Man Without Fear's radar sense and fast-moving hands allow him to swat it away. Thinking he has actually killed the hero, Copperhead puts two coins over his eyes, departing the scene. Daredevil soon gets up however his immediate attempt to track down Copperhead comes up blank.

The next day, Matt meets with Foggy Nelson who is still confident that the crime database computer they are building will be the key to getting him re-elected as District Attorney. Matt is concerned that Foggy isn't doing enough to prevent crime. The conversation is cut short when the latest of Blake Tower's attack ads are aired, sending Foggy into another fury.

That night, Copperhead seeks out and murders Milton Wexler, the rights-owner of the Copperhead pulps who has been making money on the reprints. Later learning of the murder, Murdock investigates as Daredevil. Although the police send him away, DD sneaks in and snoops around Wexler's office shortly thereafter. Inside, he finds a safe containing a detailed notebook revealing the origins of Copperhead.

Daredevil tracks down Copperhead at the offices of the publisher currently reprinting the Copperhead serials. Battling, the Man Without Fear is easily overpowered and Copperhead escapes. Daredevil doe manage to track him down. Revealing that he knows Copperhead is really Lawrence Chesney, the son of the man who posed for the covers of the Copperhead magazine. He explains his father became embittered due to lack of royalties, going insane when the pulp stories began re-circulation. Before dying, he convinces his son to avenge him. In denial, Copperhead attempts to attack Daredevil. However, he is suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning and killed. Daredevil tosses two pennies that land over Copperhead's eyes…

(https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Daredevil_Vol_1_125)

Fan Art: Daredevil 2022 by tylercairnsart

Accompanying Podcast: ● Josh and Jamie Do Daredevil - episode 20

[murdockmeta]

What runs of DD do you recommend? :D

oh gosh okay so that's a complicated question. I want to start by saying that no daredevil run is perfect by any means, especially when it comes to disability representation

but

as far as properly handling Matt's disability goes, Waid does some of the best work in his run which is vol 3 and 4. there's still ableism in that run, particularly internalized ableism from Matt and Matt thinking he's "better" than other disabled people because of his abilities. there's also some pretty serious fatphobia in that run and nasty antisemitism in vol 3 particularly that can't escape mentioning

but Waid does a fantastic job illustrating Matt's radar sense and how it isn't actually a replacement for his vision. he does a fantastic job at touching on Matt's depression. He does a great job at writing Kirsten after he introduces her. He handles Matt's characterization well and calls back to older comics. He reminds you of Matt's personality instead of just throwing Matt into a bunch of horrible situations and even goes so far as to touch on the trauma Matt has acquired from said situations.

If you know nothing about Matt's character, then there will be a few confusing moments but nothing major. And I also think vol 3 and 4 can be a fun place to start because it gets you interested in Matt's actual character but, after reading earlier volumes, it can be a joy to come back to because there are new things you get to pick up on (if that makes sense?) like Waid genuinely tries to put in a lot of easter eggs for seasoned readers while still making it beginner friendly to an extent.

if you need a good solid introduction to Matt's character, I'd suggest reading Daredevil: The Man Without Fear by frank miller. Miller, if you don't know, is one of the most (if not the most) notable daredevil writers. idk if you'd call tmwf a run, it's more of a short series (five issues). But it gives you a thorough rundown of Matt's backstory and explains why Matt is the way he is. it also feels like rinsing your mouth out with mouthwash after consuming the shit zdarskys been writing.

I will say, as far as elektra goes, tmwf isn't great. miller loves turning elektra into a sex demon that's only there to be hot and murderous. but everything else is, frankly (pun not intended), fantastic. also, miller doesn't handle matt's disability very well. but a lot of his work is valuable to matt's characters as a whole.

anyway, that's about it! i will tack on the disclaimer that I haven't read all of daredevil! not even close. I've read a few short series, vol 3, 4, 5, and part of 6 and 1. but not nearly everything, not even all of the more revered stuff lol, so do with that what you will

thanks for the ask!!

[mostsanescarletspiderfan]

Ok so other than the local comic book shop, libraries are also a good place to find comics and so are the local nerd gatherings (like Comic-Con but smaller). Mind you that if they haven't been reprinted the old ones are gonna be hard to find.

Even tho I've been reading comics for almost a decade it's hard make a proper reading guide/recommention list since I don't stick with anything for too long, also since I'm broke I usually just read online.

SPIDER-MAN

Amazing Fantasy #15 - the origin story

Amazing Spider-Man #1-100 - the original Stan Lee run, it's a bit outdated but it still an incredible comic that established so much and made great stories.

Amazing Spider-Man (1999)/amazing Spider-Man vol 2 - J. Michael Straczynski is probably my favorite Spider-Man writer of all time, this run questions so much about Peter's origin and how much the spider part is connected to him, it doesn't involve many classic villains so it gonna be a bunch of new faces for you. Also skip the "sins past" storyline and stop when you reach "one more day", if you can't find it under amazing Spider-Man 1999 #30-58 then you gonna search for ASM vol 1 from #471 to #500.

Spectacular Spider-Man: Peter Parker - the first few issues aren't really that good but it picks off really well.

Friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (2019) - pretty short but contains a lot of 10/10 stuff, one of my favorites.

These were to get you started on stuff, now some mini-series that I think are really good.

Spider-Man/human torch - this one was part of a series of comics about Peter and his most trusted friends and families in crime fighting, this one is my favorite simply because of the spidermobile.

Spider-Man/X-Men - not to mutant heavy (X-Men is really my area) so you probably won't get too confused, it's a good story that follows the same narrative style of Spider-Man/human torch.

Spider-Man/wolverine - probably the worst of the bunch but still pretty nice.

Spider-Man/fantastic four - another really good story that explores Peter's second family.

Spider-Man/Daredevil - a quick one-shot to pass the time.

Daredevil/Spider-Man - very Matt heavy but still very good.

Spider-Man vs wolverine - now this is pretty dark and if you have triggers about suicide it might be better to not read it, it isn't talked very much but it's still a very good story.

Astonishing Spider-Man and wolverine - crazy time traveling adventure, worth it.

Spider-Man: fever - I want whatever the writer was smoking while making this.

If read them you'll get a pretty good idea of Spider-Man's most important friends.

Non-stop Spider-Man - a fun comic, nothing really incredible but pretty cool.

Savage Spider-Man - the continuation of the previous one.

Fear itself: Spider-Man - 3 issues of pure awesomeness, it's a tie in but you can just read it without the event.

Spider-Man & the X-Men - the X-Men are a little bit ooc here but otherwise a really good comic about Peter being a teacher.

Spider-Man: blue - a heartfelt story about Gwen Stacy drawn by the late Tim Sale that brings more life to her than her original appearances ever did.

Spider-Man special: black and red and blue all over - a really good one-shot about what it means to reveal who you are and the support of those around you.

Spider-Man: last hunt - not a mini but but an arc that explores one of Peter's greatest villains - kraken, and how he hunted the spider.

Spider-Man: lost hunt - one of the sequels to that story that explores it ramifications and the consequences of losing a part of you.

I'm the type of fan who considers most adaptions bad but I recommend you watch spectacular Spider-Man and Spider-Man: into the spider-verse.

It would be easier if you tell me what exactly do you want to dive in.

Pt. 2

@mostsanescarletspiderfan :

I'm searching for more content. Comics, Movies, Shows, whatever. Feeling overwhelmed from all the branching pieces of media that I thought I'd ask other fans what they like. Especially since the comic world is very new to me and I'd like to organize where i should go next.

@cookiethedragon :

I have only watched the Gotham when it comes to the CW series, I have heard good things about The Flash.

I guess young justice would be the best to watch after Justice League and Unlimited, I'm just worried that it won't click like the other cartoons.

I'll look into Ultimate Spider-Man as well.

Do you know if any of the comics you suggested have physical copies? I like to read it in my hand (i.e. Super Sons & Gotham Academy etc.)

[froggynelson]

THE FOGGY APPEARANCES MASTERPOST

So I decided, after literal years of relying on places like the marvel wiki and comicvine to look for and double check Foggy Nelson's appearances throughout the marvel universe, to go and make a comprehensive list of his appearances outside of the main Daredevil title, counting Daredevil limited series and one off stories, along with cameos and alternate universes. The intention was to streamline the process for myself so i dont have to scour through pages and pages every time I wanna remember which comic that one thing happened, but hey, why not make the process of finding comics easier for people who aren't as deranged as I am? So here I made this post, from a real Fog-head to other Fog-heads out there, listing every issue outside of the Daredevil title (as it is more straightforward to find him, and extremely long to type on this list) he appears in, from barely there cameos to central roles, sorted by whether they are set in Earth 616 or not, and in no particular order. This is simply a list to serve as a guide to find him, it is not a curated list so the quality varies wildly, but I hope you're all as curious as I was to find all the most obscure and niche Foggies out there. Enjoy :)

EDIT 1: The original post had been published without one of my alterations to the draft saving, so if you reblogged it without this edit, the list was missing 14 titles.

616:

Daredevil (1964) Annuals: #1, #2, #3, #4, #8, #9

Daredevil (1998) Annuals: #1

Daredevil: Yellow: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6

Daredevil: Redemption: #1, #6

Marvel Graphic Novel: #24 (Daredevil: Love and war)

Daredevil: Cage Match: #1

Daredevil: Man Without Fear (2019): #1, #2, #5

Daredevil: Dark Nights: #3

Shadowland: #5

Shadowland: After the Fall: #1

Black Panther: Man Without Fear: #513, #521, #522

Daredevil vs Punisher: #2

Daredevil/Spider-Man: #2, #3, #4

Punisher Kill Krew: #2, #3, #4, #5

Daredevil: Battlin' Jack Murdock: #2

Daredevil: Blood of the Tarantula: #1

Daredevil: Reborn: #3, #4

Daredevil: Father: #1, #2, #5, #6

Daredevil/Deadpool: Annual '97

Devil's Reign: #3, #4

Devil's Reign Omega: #1

Elektra Lives Again: #1

Dark Reign: Elektra: #2

Uncanny Origins: #13

Power Man and Iron Fist (1978): #77

The Amazing Spider-Man (1963): #16, #42, #43, #65, #218, #429, #438

Spectacular Spider-Man (1978): #240, #242, #250

Spider-Man (1990): #75

Spider-Man Unlimited (1993): #13

Spider-Man/Kingpin: To the Death: #1

Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Annual '97

Uncanny X-Men (1963): #46

The New Warriors: #21, #23, #24, #25

Marvels: #2

Captain Universe: Daredevil

White Tiger: #1

Marvel Fanfare (1982): #1, #27

Marvel Team-up (1972): #25, #107, #141

Marvel Team-up (2004): #9

Marvel Two in one (1974): #37, #38, #78

Marvel Age: Annual #1

Avengers (1998): #26

New Avengers (2005): #1, #2, #3

Iron Man (1968): #35, #327, #328

Iron Man (1998): #1

Captain America (1968): #234

The Incredible Hulk (1968): #153

Superior Iron Man: #3

Ka-Zar (1997): #15, #17

Over the Edge: #6, #10

Silver Sable and the Wild Pack: #23, #28

Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History: #6

Onslaught: Marvel Universe: #1

X-Man: #21

Fantastic Four (1961): Annual #3

Fantastic Four (1998): #35, #47, #48

Fantastic Four: The Wedding Special 2006: #1

Thunderstrike (1993): #16

Spider-Man/Black Cat: #4

The Marvel Saga: #1, #13

The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Daredevil 2004: #1

Marvel Encyclopedia: #5

The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Update '89: #5

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z: #8

OTHER UNIVERSES:

Daredevil Noir: #1, #3, #4

Daredevil: End of days: #1, #5, #8

Daredevil: Man Without Fear (1992): #2, #3, #4, #5

Daredevil: Season One (2012): #1

Spider Gwen (2015, vol. 1): #1

Spider Gwen (2015, vol 2): #9, #20, #21, #22, #24, #27, #33

Powerless: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5

Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra: #1, #2, #3, #4

Ultimate Elektra: #1, #2

Ultimate Spider-Man (2000): #109, Annual #2

Survive!: #1

The Ultimates 2: #3

Spidey Super Stories: #43, #50

Marvel Adventures Super Heroes: #9

Marvel Age Spider-Man: #15

Not Brand Echh (1967): #2, #4, #9

What the--?!: #3, #11

Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham: #7

Marvel Hostess ads vol.1 #7

Secret Wars, too: #1

Secret Wars: Secret love: #1

Dark Ages: #2

Marvel Knights: 20th: #1

Marvel Nemesis: The Imperfects: #2

Avengers Halloween Special: #1

Contest of Champions (2015): #4

1602: #1

1872: #2

Paradise X: #10

Marvels X: #2

What if? Daredevil: #1

What if? Daredevil vs Elektra: #1

What if Karen Page had lived?: #1

What if? (1977): #8, #35, #38

What if...? (1989): #26, #73, #89, #102, #105

Spider Girl: #0, #17, #63, #74, #82, #85

Spider-Man: Chapter One: #9

Mutant X: Annual #3

Daredevil/Batman: #1

Daredevil/Shi: #1

Daredevil: The Movie Adaptation: #1

Sins of Sinister: #1

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS LOOKING FOR NEW CONVERTS IN THE PAGES OF MARVEL COMICS.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on a record ad for THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION then newly-released third studio album, "We're Only in it for the Money" (released March 1968 on Verve Records), from the pages of "Daredevil" Vol. 1 #38. March, 1968. Marvel Comics.

Cover art by Gene Colan (✝), story/script by Stan "The Man" Lee (✝). Resolution for "Daredevil" cover at 1102x1599.

OVERVIEW: "In March 1968, the Mothers of Invention unleashed their third mind-bending cultural intervention, known to all and sundry as "We’re Only in it for the Money." In a curious move, Verve Records, no doubt directed by Zappa himself, apparently selected the pre-teen comic book audience to be one of the target demographics to promote the album to. Specifically, "Daredevil" Vol. 1 #38, which came out the same month as the album, and featured a remarkable full-page ad promoting the record.

The ad was about as psychedelic as the rest of 1968, touting the Mothers’ first two albums, "Freak Out!" and "Absolutely Free," and promising “thrilling free fun!”

I’m sure the "Daredevil" demographic just couldn’t wait to check out a concept album dedicated to skewering hippies. In Verve’s defense, the album was part of Zappa’s “No Commercial Potential” project. Then again maybe Frank was fully aware that much of his audience were horny, pimply-faced adolescent boys. Maybe it was a good ad buy after all."

-- DANGEROUS MINDS, "Groovy 1968 Frank Zappa Advertisement from MARVEL Comics’ "DAREDEVIL" #38

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/53568131@N00/9483961752.

[chronicoverachiever]

Can you recommend your favourite daredevil comics?

I read some of the older ones a few years back (can’t remember the names) and really enjoyed them.

omg yesyesyes i’d LOVE TO HELP!!!!

I may or may not have actually already compiled a rec list on how to read daredevil (abridged version) for my friend irl so i’ll paste it here:

Daredevil Yellow 1-5

Born Again run

Daredevil Volume 2 Issues 1-15 (NECESSARY), 94-119, 500-512 (not necessary, good reading)


DD by Mark Waid V1,2,3,4 (I mean if you want to read these they’re the lighter side of daredevil)

Zdarsky era Volumes 6 and 7 (the most recent run, defo read it)

https://www.comicextra.com/daredevil-2019/chapter-1/full

https://www.comicextra.com/daredevil-woman-without-fear/chapter-1

https://www.comicextra.com/daredevil-2022/chapter-1

HOWEVER if you’re looking for my personal recs on fave issues/arcs, I have a few:

Vol 1 Issues 347-352 ish (where foggy finds out matt is daredevil)

Anything with echo!! i particularly love the Vision Quest arc in Volume 2 (which i think they are basing the new TV show off of)

When he declares himself Kingpin and then needs an intervention by all New York’s superheroes (starts Vol 2 Issue 50)

ALL OF THE WAID RUN but particularly issue 8 with spider-man (preferably read after The Amazing Spider Man Issue 677)

WOMAN WITHOUT FEAR BEC ELEKTRA IS A GIRLBOSS

[daresplaining]

Caption: "Plunging the room into darkness, the Man Without Fear instantly takes complete command, darting, leaping, striking like a rampaging wraith...seeming to strike from everyplace at once!"

Daredevil vol. 1 #6 by Stan Lee, Wally Wood, and Sam Rosen

[veliseraptor]

Hi! With the Black Widow movie coming out, I just re-watched some old MUC movies and remembered how much I love Natasha. What are the main, must-read, Natasha-centric comics that you would recommend to a comics newbie? (You once made a similar post for Loki comics that I used and found extremely helpful.) Thanks for everything you share! I've found a lot of content that I enjoy through your blog!

Thanks, anon! I'm always happy when I can be rewarded for my loud yelling about things that I love. :D

I was sure I'd made a Natasha reading list a while back but apparently not?? what the fuck self. (well, other than my overall MCU starter kit recs post from forever ago that was for all of the O6 and is also very old.)

okay well then I guess it's time to do that now, no time like the present! going to link to trades where they exist but I'll include issue numbers as well

heads up: you probably will run into references you don't understand in some of these. that's comics for you. my advice: either let those things float by you, or just Google them - you can enjoy comics without knowing/having read all the lore!

anyway, the recs.

the easiest suggestion I have right off the bat though is the Black Widow Epic Collection editions that have been published recently (Black Widow: Beware the Black Widow, and Black Widow: The Coldest War) which include some of her major appearances, including in a bunch of old single issues that would otherwise be hard to find. HOWEVER, those won't take you up into her more contemporary appearances (the latest publish date in there is 1996).

THE TOP OF THE LINE

The Marjorie Liu run collected as Black Widow: The Name of the Rose (Black Widow vol. 4 #1-5). If you read no other Black Widow comics, read this one. It's so good, easily one of my top five comics runs of all time. Cannot recommend it enough.

Black Widow: The Itsy Bitsy Spider which includes two different short runs (Black Widow vol. 1, #1-3 & Black Widow vol. 2, #1-3). This is probably my other favorite Black Widow collection of issues (and they very much lead into each other); here's where Yelena gets introduced and also where you can find some very gay panels. If you can't find this one, you can find the same issues republished with the added Pale Little Spider miniseries in a trade called Marvel Knights Black Widow by Grayson and Rucka: The Complete Collection.

The Nathan Edmondson/Phil Noto run collected in three trades The Finely Woven Thread, The Tightly Tangled Web, and Last Days (Black Widow vol. 5, #1-20). This one follows on thematically in some ways from the Marjorie Liu run but primarily the appeal here, in my opinion, is Phil Noto's art, which is gorgeous.

The Mark Waid/Chris Samnee run collected as Black Widow: SHIELD's Most Wanted and Black Widow: No More Secrets (as well as in a Complete Collection edition) (Black Widow vol. 6, #1-12). This was a series not long enough for this world but a delight while it lasted - again, particularly the art, but Waid and Samnee also just work together very, very well.

Black Widow: Web of Intrigue which includes Marvel Fanfare #10-13, Bizarre Adventures #25, and Black Widow: The Coldest War, some older stories featuring Natasha.

THE DEEPER CUTS

I'd put down first Hawkeye & Mockingbird / Black Widow: Widowmaker as a recent series worth reading; the trade also collects Solo Avengers #16-18 in addition to Widowmaker #1-4. I don't think it really gets referenced in other places, but it's a fun collection of issues and I love the dynamic of these three together.

If you want to dig into the background of the character and her true comics origins, check out the old comics collected in Black Widow: The Sting of the Widow which include her first appearances, the introduction of her iconic costume (in Spider-man, actually), and her short run in Amazing Adventures (Tales of Suspense #52, Amazing Spider-Man #86, Amazing Adventures vol. 2 #1-8, Daredevil #81).

This is...kind of a weird one and also a mixed recommendation, but I will throw out there the semi-extracanonical Black Widow: Homecoming (Black Widow vol. 3, #1-6) and Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her (Black Widow 2 vol. 3, #1-6), apparently also now collected as Black Widow: Welcome to the Game, written by Richard K. Morgan (yes, the author of the book that inspired the Netflix show Altered Carbon) because while they are...not good in all ways they do hit some very specific notes for me in places.

Captain America & Black Widow is a short team-up run with Steve and Natasha that's enjoyable if a bit wacky (Captain America & Black Widow #636-640) from a period of time where there was just a series of Captain America team-ups as part of the Captain America run.

This is going to be a hard one because it's not collected anywhere as far as I can tell, but Marvel Knights #1-15 which was published in 2000-2001 as part of Marvel's street level gritty initiative thing (that actually produced some quite good comics). I tracked it down in single issues back in college and actually really loved it. Team book but Natasha is prominent.

If you can find Black Widow & the Marvel Girls (Black Widow & the Marvel Girls #1-4) it is a treasure of a miniseries but unfortunately very difficult, in my experience, to track down.

The Black Widow: Widowmaker collection pulls together an assortment of sort of random oneshots/short runs with some good stuff in there (mostly the thing that I like that is in this one and not in other collections on this list are Fear Itself: Black Widow #1, but it does also include with other material some of the other runs on this list - Black Widow vol. 4 #1-8, Black Widow: Deadly Origin #1-4, and Widowmaker #1-4).

Finally: there's The Champions, the short-lived team Natasha actually led back in the day which is pretty Silver Age but sometimes in an endearing way, and the arc collected in Daredevil: The Widow which is Natasha-centric (Daredevil #61-66) and good enough that I bought it even though I'm not a particular fan of Daredevil. But that might partly be because I really like Alex Maleev's art.

People recommend Black Widow: Deadly Origin but I am not personally a big fan. I'm putting it on here mostly so you have it and also so other people know I'm aware of it.

I'm not yet caught up on the most recent currently running series so I can't speak to recommending it or not.

if you really, really want more deep cuts, anon, I have some, uh, team runs and single issue appearances I'm very fond of personally, but that starts going way down the rabbit hole in a way that perhaps you do not want to.

[xycuro-illuminati]

hey! I’ve always wanted to get into the daredevil comics and I wanted to know if you had recommendations on what specific series/runs you’d tell people to check out

Hi! I've answered a similar ask before so I'll give you the reading guide I use and a few runs to look into/avoid.

This is the guide I use to read Daredevil

I have tags called reading guide and reading list that a few reblogged, but this is the one I like to go back to the most.

My favorite runs are the Mark Waid runs because they're very easy to follow and are super fun (although, be cautious of the ableism Waid has done to Shroud. It's not a perfect run ane has its share of flaws, but the treatment of Shroud in that run is horrible. Keep in mind that Shroud's character was destroyed in that run). (There's also some fatphobia within the run as well) If you don't know any prior Daredevil knowledge, it's very beginner-friendly and will give you enough summary info as you read each issue.

There are a few issues from vol 1 that I enjoyed, but you don't have to read all of it of course. There are synopsizes online to read through for vol 1 and vol 2 (I think) if you're really interested. I would also recommend reading how Elektra (#168), Bullseye (#131), Milla Donovan (vol 2 #41-45) was introduced along with some personal favorite characters like Willie Lincoln (#47) and Tagak (#72) that I wish they brought back. I would only recommend Soule's run to read about Blindspot aka Samuel Chung (vol 5 #1), and after that run it showcases the whole real boy Mike Murdock arc.

Frank Miller's Man Without Fear run, Guardian Devil, and Shadowlands isn't great and if you wanna see how bad it is, go ahead and read for yourself. Avoid the recent run (vol 6, Devil's Reign, and vol 7) written by Chip Zdarksy. They're not good, trust me.