What could be next for Daredevil the television series

What could be next for Daredevil the television series

by rick olivares

In the light of the end of the second season of Daredevil, here are five — yes, five -- story arcs from the comics version you must read to appreciate what the third season could be like.

Born Again (Daredevil #227-233 February-August 1986)

Writer: Frank Miller

Artist: David Mazzuchelli

The basic premise for this story arc is Karen Page reveals to a drug dealer that Matthew Murdock is Daredevil and the information makes its way to Wilson Fisk. The Kingpin of crime puts in motion an elaborate plan that gets his nemesis’ alter ego disbarred, financially bankrupt, and criminally insane. Without the Guardian Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, Fisk is unopposed. But Murdock finds his way to his mother who following her separation from Jack Murdock enters a nunnery. Matthew is nursed back to a sound mind and a sound body and just in time to stop Nuke (who in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is policeman Will Simpson in the Jessica Jones series) from razing Hell’s Kitchen. Captain America gets involved as Nuke is the sole survivor of a renegade military project to recreate Project: Rebirth of which granted the former his super strength. Kingpin’s involvement is exposed and he not only has to fend of a multitude of lawsuits but his reputation as a honest businessman is greatly tarnished. Murdock gets back on his feet, renews his relationship with Karen Page (you have to read it to see how it worked out) and his role as protector of Hell’s Kitchen.

The story although using a term more associated with the Protestant faith makes heavy use of Roman Catholicism imagery. In continuing the religious association, the story takes place during Christmas but roundabout ends around the time of Easter.

This story is arguably the greatest Daredevil story ever done even 30 years after its publication. Many successive stories have built on this story arc. 

Last Rites (Daredevil #297-300 October 1991-January 1992) 

Writer: Daniel Chichester 

Artist: Lee Weeks 

This story is essentially Daredevil’s revenge on Fisk by taking down his life in the manner of what was done to him. Many of Fisk’s childhood featured here for the first time was later used in the first season of Daredevil.

Guardian Devil (Daredevil Vol. 2 #1-8 November 1998-June 1999)

Writer: Kevin Smith 

Artist: Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti 

Spider-Man’s foe Mysterio is dying from cancer and he concocts an elaborate scheme to destroy Daredevil who he once fought (as Spider-Man is gone for the moment). Mysterio uses the information about Matt’s alter ego that he purchased from the Kingpin. This also features the return of Bullseye who murders Karen Page.

Hardcore (Daredevil Vol. 2 #46-50 June-October 2003) 

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artist: Alex Maleev

Fisk attempts to retain his old title of the Kingpin of Crime but Daredevil pummels him into submission. Shockingly, by the arc’s end, Daredevil declares himself as the new Kingpin.

The Return of the King (Daredevil Vol. 2 116-119, 500 (the series was renumbered).

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Michael Lark and David Aja

After his banishment, Kingpin returns and this time forges an unlikely team-up with Daredevil to take on the forces of the Hand.

While the Netflix show has borrowed elements from the comic books, it has diverged in many ways. In comic book continuity, Vanessa early on did not approve of her husband’s criminal activities. Karen Page, while initially working with Nelson & Murdock eventually becomes an actress and a soft porn star. I don’t see Karen in the latter roles for the TV series however, it seems replacing Ben Urich sounds like a good idea.

And these are but a few!

Read these story arcs that are all available locally in the trade paperback format. It will give a lot of background and insight into this wonderful, complex, and dark tale of good versus bad.