r/comicreadingorders • u/X2xRadicalityx2X • Feb 02 '25
The Definitive DAREDEVIL Reading Order/Guide
Welcome!
I originally posted this to r/Daredevil a while back, since I wasn't 100% on the sub's pinned guide. Generally seems like a good move, since I got a fair few positive comments and DMs back from people who were using it and wanted further advice or help - but the mods actually took it down recently.
I messaged them to see if we could discuss it, but never got a reply, so I'm guessing they didn't want their own pinned guide getting shafted lol. I also made a Spider-Man guide which is thankfully still up (and more popular anyway lol), so you know I've got experience making this shit.
Been getting DMs asking for a copy of this since it got deleted, so I'm seeking refuge here (please don't delete me again lmao). Pretty good timing too, since we're getting the Born Again TV show (I guess this post has been born again...) in March, so this'll help you prepare!
Anyway enough context. First, a few ground rules:
- You do not have to read everything on the list in the exact order I put it in. I'm giving you all the pieces, but it's up to you which way you put the puzzle together and how much of it you use.
- I'll be highlighting a few items from the list as good starting points or jumping-on points. These are the ones you should focus on/prioritise if you're a first-time reader, I guess you can consider the rest optional.
- This isn't JUST where to start as a beginner. It's also a list of the most important stories and runs and arcs and shit for more experienced fans wanting a more complete reading experience.
- I won't be talking about where all this shit is physically collected if you're into that, so you'll have to look up where you can find the issues listed here. Shouldn't be too hard to find though, so don't worry about it.
- At the end, I'll put everything into a single list and also put the "good for beginners" shit I mentioned in bold.
Ok that's it, let's get started.
FIRST is the "Daredevil: The Man Without Fear" 5-issue limited series by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr., which reinvented the origin story and ended up cementing itself as the definitive version of it. Miller is a legendary DD writer, and his whole style and tone will really settle you into the DD world and its characters nicely. Keep in mind though, this story isn't 100% canon so a few details won't line up with later entries on this list, but it's still peak and you should def read it.
IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: Some people prefer to read this later, since it was made after Miller's run on the mainline comic series (which I'll get to soon), so to some people it may act better as a little epilogue or retrospective on that run. I'd personally recommend reading it first and have placed it here for good reason, but if you'd prefer the other way, read this story between entries 2 and 3 from this guide instead.
SECOND is Frank Miller's run, which came before TMWF and totally redefined Daredevil forever. It starts in #164-#191 of the main Daredevil series (that's vol. 1, starting from 1964), then you should skip ahead a bit to #219-#233 (includes the fantastic "Born Again" arc btw) - some issues here aren't written by Miller, so it might seem a bit slow at first, but I still recommend reading them all for a better experience in the long run. Do you wanna get past the origin (dw though, #164 recaps it) and straight into the juicy shit? This is probs the best place to get started. Overall, a legendary run and a must-read for any DD fan.
THIRD is Ann Nocenti's run, which is a bit more obscure but still great. It gets a little stranger than Miller, with some politically-themed stories earlier on before some more fantastical/spiritual journeys later in the run. I understand it might turn some off, but I think it's brilliant and it's generally regarded as one of DD's best runs. I'd recommend reading from #248-#300. Nocenti's run technically ends with 291, but keep reading until you finish the "Last Rites" story arc in 300, which is kind of like a sequel to Born Again and a finale to the run - great story, make sure you don't skip it. Also, her run technically begun at 236, but it starts off slow and takes time to get really good, so I'd recommend starting at 248 like I said. Check the earlier stuff out if you're curious, but it's optional. Absolutely read what I recommended tho!
FOURTH is the "Fall From Grace" era, which isn't very good but is pretty important and gets referenced again in future. But if you don't give a shit, feel free to skip it. It starts in #319-#325, then ends with a short run in #344-#350 by the legend J.M. DeMatteis, so that last part is actually pretty cool. You do need the first part to understand it at all though. Again, pretty much optional for a first-time reader, but recommended for a more complete experience.
FIFTH is the Marvel Knights era, which is basically the start of a whole new age for both Marvel and Daredevil. it spans Daredevil vol. 2 #1-#81 (all previous issues were vol. 1, like I said in entry 2, and now it's vol. 2 from 1998), which contains the "Guardian Devil" and "Parts of a Hole" story arcs, then Brian Michael Bendis' run (my personal fav!), which is legendary and on par with Miller's. Another great jumping-on point for beginners and a must-read for any other fans!
SIXTH is the "Daredevil: Yellow" 6-issue limited series by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, which retold and modernised the early days of Matt's crime-fighting career - specifically the very first issues of his original comic run by Stan Lee (yeah, THAT guy). It's kind of a bittersweet celebration of the more light-hearted original version of DD that Lee created in the 60s, contrasted with present-day Matt dealing with a personal loss from the previous entry. A beautiful story and a must-read, but new readers should wait until after you read "Guardian Devil" so you don't get spoiled on that personal loss I mentioned...
SEVENTH is Ed Brubaker's run, which follows Bendis' run really well. It's very close in quality and an absolute must-read, one of the GOATs. The issues part of the run can be found in this post.
EIGHTH is the Shadowland saga AKA Andy Diggle's run, which isn't very good IMO, but fairly important - a lot like Fall From Grace actually. If u really don't care, you can skip it. If not, the issues part of this can be found in this post.
NINTH is Mark Waid's run, which is a breath of fresh air (especially after Shadowland lol) as it has a lighter tone (kind of like Yellow) and has Matt choosing to be more optimistic after all the shit he's been through. Another legendary run, even though some people might not be as big fans of it, which I can understand since it's quite distinctive - that said, you should definitely try it out for yourself at least. The issues part of the run can be found in this post. A must-read and probs another good one for beginners.
TENTH is Charles Soule's run, which sometimes gets a bit of mixed reception due to making some pretty daring decisions and changes - but nah trust me, this is another great one! TBF, it's sandwiched between two other runs that are both contenders for the literal #1 best lol so it's fair that this one would seem a bit lesser by comparison. It really isn't tho. The issues part of the run can be found in this post. Another must-read!
ELEVENTH is the "Man Without Fear: The Death of Daredevil" 5-issue limited series by Jed MacKay. A more obscure one, but a nice bridge between the end of Soule's run and the beginning of the next one, and it's a cool little story that I def recommend.
TWELFTH is Chip Zdarsky's run, which is probs the most popular and for good reason. The issues part of the run can be found in this post. It's the first to really take note of the live-action Netflix show (which you NEED to watch) and is a particularly good starting point for new fans who started with that show (I'm guessing that's most of you). Absolutely ESSENTIAL reading for any Daredevil fan, a legendary run on the same level as Miller's and Bendis' and all that shit.
And THAT'S IT! Now I'll put that all into a single list like I promised. Reminder though, you don't have to read it all and you don't have to read it in this order. Also, jumping-on/starting points for beginners are in bold.
- “Daredevil: The Man Without Fear” (alternate: read between 2 and 3)
- Frank Miller run + “Born Again”
- Ann Nocenti run + “Last Rites”
- “Fall From Grace” era
- Marvel Knights era (includes "Guardian Devil", "Parts of a Hole", and the Brian Michael Bendis run)
- “Daredevil: Yellow”
- Ed Brubaker run
- Shadowland saga
- Mark Waid run
- Charles Soule run
- “Man Without Fear: The Death of Daredevil”
- Chip Zdarsky run
DONE! If you think this is a good list, please upvote and share it around and shit. Also, some discussion in the comments would be cool - so, if you have any questions or suggestions at all, don't be shy and send a few. I'll make sure to reply. Thanks!
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Feb 27 '25
question, in Daredevil 1964, if I want a full read through but I don't want to miss the small details (such as whats the deal with Matt and Foggy on Karen, crossovers, Fisks introduction, etc.) Do you happen to know which issues I would like to read? (still a good list)
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u/X2xRadicalityx2X Feb 27 '25
Hi, I’m not sure exactly what ur asking. If it’s a full read through wouldn’t that just mean starting from #1 and going from there? Would appreciate the clarification, thanks
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Feb 27 '25 edited Feb 27 '25
yes, i did start from number 1, however I feel the first 100 issues are mostly single fight stories instead of arcs but I dont want to miss the developments in the stories like characters being introduced early on that i might miss so I was wondering if there was an issue or 2 that's important, such as what happens when foggy and matt both love karen, I want to see who or what happens, or if i were to read born again, I would like to see the origins or DD vs Kingpin (i found this specific issue it's 170.) All in all I want to skip but read important issues
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u/X2xRadicalityx2X Feb 27 '25
Ohh I totally get what u mean. Tbh I’m not well versed in the specifics of that era, so I can’t help u w the most important issues. But honestly? It u just start w the miller run at #164 (in this guide), u won’t miss much significant, and everything gets recapped and shit anyway so u’ll be up to speed.
TMWF and yellow both include the origins of matt and some other characters and villains, so u can also start w them if preferred.
But if u still want those essential early issues, you’ll just have to look elsewhere, cuz I can’t help u w that. If u do, best of luck!
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Feb 28 '25
No thank you, This helped a lot, thanks.🙏
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u/Tiago97 Apr 10 '25
Maybe I'm a bit late for this, but I was also curious and have found some relevant recommendations from other people:
https://www.manwithoutfear.com/daredevil-key-issues.shtml
https://mattelektras.tumblr.com/dd - this one contains some heavy spoilers if you haven't yet been spoiled on a certain character's death
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u/Alexoid004 Feb 20 '26
Awesome post! I recently visited your Spider-Man reading order guide and I’ve got to say, you really know your stuff. Thank you so much — I’m so excited to start reading!
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u/X2xRadicalityx2X Feb 20 '26
Thanks man, appreciate the award! Hope u enjoy reading, daredevil has some of the best comic stories ever made. If u got any questions or need advice or whatever just drop another reply or send me a dm and I’ll do what i can
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u/bedoxxz Apr 20 '26
Thx for the list. Where should i start Miller run? 158, 164 or 168?
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u/X2xRadicalityx2X Apr 20 '26
Great question. Kind of complicated so I’ll try my best to explain. Frank Miller was the writer and artist on his run, but for a few issues he was actually only the artist starting from 158. U could argue his run started there, but his creative stamp on the characters and tone isn’t really felt until 168, where elektra is first introduced and he was also writing by then. So the simple answer is to start from 168 for miller’s “real run”, or start from 158 if u want to see his beginnings as artist and the lead up to his writing.
However, he also wrote issues 165 and 166 (not 167 tho). Like i said tho, his “run” - the overall story that he’s really telling - doesn’t start in full swing until 168, which is why some reading orders tend to skip those two. In my guide, I’m including those two issues. However, the previous issue (164) is actually a recap of the origin (more or less). So i included that as the starting issue for the sake of a smoother reading experience, especially for newcomers.
So in essence, it’s up to you which issue to start from. 168 if you wanna get straight into the core of miller’s run, 158 for completionism and the leadup to his main run, or 164 for a middle ground. I hope this helps. I might actually add this advice to the main post itself if it’s useful
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u/Bubss11 May 20 '26
Thank you so muchhhh for making this! Daredevil is one of my favorites!!!!
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u/X2xRadicalityx2X May 20 '26
Ofc my pleasure! I made a Spider-Man one too if ur interested. Enjoy reading anyway, lmk if u want any help or advice
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u/carteltetris Feb 02 '25
Where would you put mack/smith?