Daredevil first appeared in Daredevil #1 created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett, with costume input from Jack Kirby. He was pictured sporting an obnoxiously bright yellow and red Daredevil costume. Needless to say, this costume did not last long.
Many people know about "Daredevil" because of the recent Netflix TV show that came out this year. His time in the comics, however, was not nearly as smooth. "Daredevil" went through a variety of artists and writers who altered the story to try and maintain consumer interest. As a result, the "Daredevil" storyline went through several periods of decline and near extinction
In fact, by issue number seven of the new series, the costume design had been completely redone by Wally Wood to feature the red costume we all know today.
It's basic knowledge that Matt Murdock becomes Daredevil. As Matt grows up, his father, a boxer who supplements his meager income with another job as an enforcer for the mob, instills upon him the need for education. Matt promises not to become a boxer like his father who could never make it big.
While trying to save a blind man from getting hit by a truck, Matt gets hit in the face with a canister of harmful radioactive material. While the chemicals make him go blind, all of his other senses ,however, are enhanced to a superhuman degree allowing him to fill in his surroundings with a sort of radar sense.
In the 1970’s, Daredevil had a love interest with Black Widow ,and moved to San Francisco with writer Gerry Conway, in an effort to revitalize the comic from its declining popularity. After a series of staff changes with new writers and artists, Black Widow was gradually written out of the series ,and Daredevil was moved back to Hell’s Kitchen. Marv Wolfman then introduced one of Daredevils signature villains, Bullseye.
As expected, with so many writers and artists trying to make their mark on the Daredevil story, it quickly declined in popularity. By 1980, Daredevil was once again in danger of cancelation ,and that is how Frank Miller saw the series after being assigned as its writer.
Miller had been the artist for Daredevil before being asked to write the storyline. He had ignored much of the past that had been established over the series, and either reworked old acquaintances or wrote them out of the story all-together. In Miller’s hands, Daredevil became an anti-hero ,unafraid of death and the dark side of the law. In one issue he even tries to kill someone.
Just three issues after Miller took over the comic as its writer, the comic was re-established as a monthly publication. Miller created key characters into the story line, including Stick (Matt’s teacher after he went blind), Electra, and several villainous groups like the Hand.
Frank Miller also made the character Kingpin a primary Daredevil villain. Kingpin was originally a Spider-man villain ,and it was considered unusual to find villains that switched heroes. However, it was soon revealed that Kingpin was the perfect mob boss for the gritty Hell’s Kitchen. He was also the feature villain in the 2003 Daredevil movie featuring Ben Affleck (as Daredevil), Jennifer Gamer (as Electra), Collin Farrell (as Bullseye), and Michael Clarke Duncan (as Kingpin).
Daredevil was the launchpad for Frank Miller's career, showing his creative genius to the comic world. He went on to create groundbreaking series ,and was the creative force behind movies derived from his comic series ( i.e. Sin City, The 300, and Electra).
It was later on that Miller left Daredevil, while the story continued. Kingpin (an archenemy) buys Daredevil’s secret identity from his drug-addicted ex-girlfriend ,and systematically tears his life apart. Matt ends up losing his license to practice law, and also loses most of his friends.
As a result, Matt Murdock becomes a drifter in upper New York before returning to Hell’s Kitchen where he reaffirms his friendship with Foggy Nelson ,and regains his sense of self.
In the 90’s , and after yet another few writer switches, Matt regains his law license and brings the Kingpin to justice. Soon after, Daredevil’s secret identity becomes common knowledge causing Matt Murdock to resort to faking Daredevil’s death ,and take on the new identity of Jack Batlin. Daredevil also has another costume change during this time period.
This identity only lasts, however, until Matt Murdock convinces the world he is not Daredevil thanks to a double.
After several more writers, the series once again found itself on the chopping block. Daredevil featured a variety of different writers, stories, and characters in the 2000’s ,and still continues as a struggling story-line today.
I personally think the new adaptation of Daredevil on Netflix is intriguing. Although I have only watched a few episodes, I am impressed at how they are letting the character define himself. They aren’t rushing him into a suit, or immediately making him a perfect hero. The writers are really investigating the anti-hero personality that Daredevil had under Frank Miller-the storyline that saved Daredevil comics from cancelation-and I appreciate that tribute.
Hope you guys enjoyed reading! I was thinking about doing a piece on Wolverine for next week ,but if anyone has something they would rather read about PLEASE comment! I will do my best to accommodate!
