Recommended Reading: Daredevil

[Blindzider, Moderator]

This thread is for all group members to give suggestions on what stories they would recommend to people that are new to the group and/or to reading graphic novels. This particular thread will be about Daredevil.

The idea is to compile a list of books on each subject/topic from the group members and have a central thread that people can use to decide where to begin.

Preferably, the suggestions should be limited to stories that are available in some type of hardcover: Absolute, Omnibus, Deluxe HC, etc.

Make as many suggestions as you like, but do try to keep it to an "essential/best reads".

# of Votes / Title (through message 8)
2 / Daredevil Companion (Born Again and Man Without Fear) by Miller
2 / Daredevil by Bendis V1
2 / Daredevil by Brubaker V1

[Blindzider, Moderator]

Hmm. The only ones I can really recommend are:


Daredevil by Frank Miller Omnibus (sets the tone for nearly all DD stories until Waid's run)
Daredevil: Born Again (can be found in the DD by Miller Companion Omnibus) The Man Without Fear story inside the Companion is 'ok' but not stellar.

I liked Bendis' run initially but halfway to 2/3 I got really bored with it. I did like Brubaker's run but I need to reread it before I can recommend it.

Waid's run was good but very different in tone: not as grim and dark but very inventive and surprising.

I can't recall how good the graphic novel Love and War by Miller was but it does have Sienkiewicz art.

I feel like I'm missing something but can't think of any other notable ones...

[Relstuart, Mod+]

I really enjoyed the Bendis and Brubaker runs. The Bendis run is seamlessly continued under Brubaker though I give Brubaker a slight edge if I have to have a favorite. I'm really hoping to see more of their story impact the Netflix tv show (DD season 3 should end where the Bendis run ended with DD in a hard place where the Punisher joins him (no spoiler). Miller is third for me though I have yet to read Born Again (Companion omnibus is in the mail on it's way to me). I read the first arc or two of Waid's run but not sold on it as above average comic book fare yet.

I'm looking forward to the current material being collected as I do like Garney's art for the book so far and they are saying they are returning to the darker DD of Bendis/Brubaker days.

[Blindzider, Moderator]

Born Again is really good, although it feels like it should have been a couple issues longer. There are some emotional triggers that needed more time to make it feel real. Certain actions just happen a little too quickly.

I think you need to get a little farther in Waid's run. I was in the same boat, and the level rose to above average. However, having read it all, I would still only rank it as slightly above average.

I haven't read any of the new stuff yet. I'll give it a shot if it makes it to the library.

Strange that the character has been around so long and there are only a few notable runs. There is the Ann Nocenti/JR JR run which if I recall had some ups and downs. The original early runs I think were closer in tone to Waid's run.

Ahh. I just remembered the Kevin Smith/Quesada run with Marvel Knights. At the time this was very good, but I haven't read it in awhile. There were a couple big surprises in there.

[Saugata]

Blindzider, you echoed my thoughts about born again and Bendis run to the tee ( Born Again, Bendis run Vol2. After the first omnibus volume, the bendis run really falls off for me.
In addition to the suggestions already provided I would like to add Daredevil: The Man Without Fear. Other than Frank Miller's Man without Fear and Born again storylines, I did not like the earlier Miller arcs. So, it is great for me that both of these stories are collected in Daredevil by Frank Miller Omnibus Companion. And I can not gush about Brubaker enough eveeeerrr.
So My suggestions will be:
1) Daredevil by Frank Miller Omnibus Companion.
2) Daredevil Omnibus, Vol. 1. - My 2 cents Brubaker
3) Daredevil Omnibus, Vol. 2 - Yet to read the Brubaker 2nd Volume, but heard great things.
4) Daredevil Omnibus, Vol. 1 - My 2 cents Bendis

[Blindzider, Moderator]

I'm glad to hear your thoughts on Bendis' run. I thought I was the only one. :)

I should clarify my opinion of The Man Without Fear: it's very good, and I love the JR JR art (I have the slipcase edition). Miller added an addition to the origin which I didn't care for and felt was uneeded but otherwise it is worth reading.

No one else has read Guardian Devil (Smith/Quesada run)?

[Diego]

Would the Elektra Assassin count towards the list as in extended DD cosmogony? I mean, the art is just so amazing in those books. Plus has all the Miller elements in there, oriental, ninja, enemies, all of what influenced his DD run so much.

[Blindzider, Moderator]

Diego wrote: "Would the Elektra Assassin count towards the list as in extended DD cosmogony? I mean, the art is just so amazing in those books. Plus has all the Miller elements in there, oriental, ninja, enemies..."

I think it could certainly count. Agreed Sienkiewicz is pretty amazing (as it is in the Love and War graphic novel.)

I'll throw out another book for the sake of discussion: Loeb/Sale's Daredevil: Yellow. Does everyone rate that near the top or just a worthwhile read?