Daredevil’s return to television is a moment that will help elevate Marvel Studios once again. Instead of changing it to fit their PG-13 content, Marvel Television is keeping it as gritty as the Netflix show, with the revival series adopting a TV-MA rating. A move that will prove not everything needs to be the same. Shows like Agatha All Along and Daredevil: Born Again both have a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
As people watch the show, viewers may start to wonder where some of the characters first appeared and how they became part of DD’s life. This article will provide some of the answers including part of what happened in their comic book debut. Hopefully, this will give some insight into what you’ll see on TV. Let's start with ol' Horn Head himself.
Matt Murdock (Daredevil)
First appearance: Daredevil No. 1 (April 1964)
Daredevil’s first appearance was a good one. You learn everything you need to know about his origin, why he became a hero, and he gets an easy win to end the issue. More importantly, there's a clear idea of who he is as a person including his getting his law degree and how he juggles being a hero without getting caught. Granted, the latter part changes throughout the years.
Franklin “Foggy” Nelson
First appearance: Daredevil No. 1 (April 1964)
Foggy is established early as the most important person in Matt Murdock’s life. He was there with Matt during law school and, more importantly, helped him when Matt’s father was murdered. After graduation, Foggy’s father set him up with a law office and asked Matt to be his partner. This became a crucial moment in Daredevil and Matt's life.
Karen Page
First appearance: Daredevil No. 1 (April 1964)
Karen Page’s origin sets up her relationship with Matt Murdock in her first three panels. She says it’s a pity someone handicapped (a problematic term) is so wonderful and handsome (again, a problematic thing to say). As her time in Marvel Comics continues, we see that she becomes a pivotal part of Daredevil’s rise and fall from grace.
“The Kingpin” Wilson Fisk
First appearance: Amazing Spider-Man No. 50 (July, 1967)
Like another person on this list, one of Daredevil’s most dangerous adversaries made their debut in a Spider-Man comic book. In this issue, Wilson Fisk sets himself up to be a criminal genius and someone willing to sacrifice his goons to get what he wants. You didn’t see the fight between Spider-Man and Fisk until the next issue, but it was worth the wait.
Elektra Natchios
First appearance: Daredevil No. 168 (January 1981)
Shocking to no one, Elektra makes her debut beating in a fight. Also, he could tell it was Elektra by her voice and she did the same at the end of the issue. As their relationship in Marvel Comics continues, that sense evolves. They know each other by their heartbeats, smells, and so much more. But it all started with this issue.
Say what you will about Ben Affleck’s Daredevil, but they did a good job with Matt and Elektra’s origin. The playful and semi-violent way they met and fell in love resembles the comics and it’s one of the best origins for a comic book couple.
Bullseye
First appearance: Daredevil 131 (April 1976)
It’s doubtful that Daredevil hates anyone more than Bullseye. He’s a relentless and remorseless killer who murders because he enjoys it. That much is established the first time we see him. What’s also confirmed is that he can kill anyone with anything and that he loves an audience. So much so that this issue ends with The Man Without Fear and the Man Who Doesn't Miss about to fight in a circus.
Cole North
First appearance: Daredevil No. 1 ( February 2019)
Detective Cole North began his time in Marvel Comics trying to arrest Daredevil for vigilantism. He believed that The Man Without Fear was beating people up because he enjoyed it and that didn’t allow criminals to be rehabilitated. If he is appearing in Daredevil: Born Again, this will likely be the same in the series. Let’s see if, like the source material, Detective Cole changes his opinion on Matt.
Kirsten McDuffie
First appearance: Daredevil No. 1 (2011)
Assistant District Attorney Kristen McDuffie is this writer’s favorite Daredevil character other than Bullseye. She’s one of the few non-powered characters in Matt Murdock’s life who holds him accountable for the things he does. She was also someone who continuously tried to make him admit he was Daredevil in hilarious ways. The latter is something that should happen in this series.
Frank “The Punisher” Castle
First appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man No. 129 (February 1974)
And here we have the other Daredevil adjacent character that first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man. The Daily Bugle labeling Spidey a murderer leads the Jackal to trick Frank into attempting to kill the Wall-Crawler. Frank doesn’t get the kill or come close. Because, as much as people love the Punisher, he’s a guy with a gun and that isn't enough.
Frank became connected more to Daredevil over the years because they’re opposite sides of the same coin. Punisher says that DD is one bad day away from becoming him. So far, Frank has been proven right with Matt almost losing it thanks to multiple tragic moments.
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