Iâve been getting some questions about what should be read and why something isnât included, and Iâm happy to answer those as they come up, but I think it might be helpful if I supplement my regular posts with reading lists where theyâre relevant.Â
The goal of my organisation technique is to keep as many books as possible in some sort of reading order. Itâs something that I give a lot of thought to and over the last few years Iâve created some reading lists to help other people.
Everyoneâs personal reading list will be slightly different, but this is mine. Most of these books can be found on Marvel Comics Unlimited, and the physical formats are described below.
All my reading lists follow the same format and Iâll include the following key with each one.
Bold text: Main Series
Normal text: Supplemental
CAPITALS: EVENTS/CROSSOVERS
Italics: Notes
Daredevil is a character with an abundance of fantastic material, itâs embarrassing really. Everything is broken down by creator and Iâll highlight jumping on points by separating runs into blocks.
Daredevil: Yellow - Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale
A great prequel story set during the early days of his career, available in Premier HC, Paperback or the OHC which also contains Spider-Man: Blue and Hulk: Gray
This is the Chronological order for Frank Millerâs Daredevil, there is a bit more you can get in a companion book but I donât want to complicate things too much. This isnât the order the books were released in and outside of the numbered volumes these books can be read in any order.Â
There is an omnibus that collects the numbered volumes and the second collects the supplemental material. Thereâs also an Elektra Omnibus, all of which are being reprinted for a second time in 2016.
Daredevil: Man Without Fear - Frank Miller & John Romita Jr
Elektra: Assassin - Frank Miller & Bill Sienkiewicz
Daredevil Volume 1 - Frank Miller
Daredevil Volume 2 - Frank Miller
Daredevil Volume 3 - Frank Miller
Daredevil: Born Again - Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
Elektra Lives Again - Frank Miller
Ann Nocenti had a good run on Daredevil, but only some of it has been collected in trades, the full issues are 236, 238â245, 247â257, 259-291, 500. This is the time to read those issues if youâre interested. The most notable volume is probably Typhoid Mary with John Romita Jr. An Epic Collection for this run has been solicited for January 2016.
Daredevil V1: Guardian Devil - Kevin Smith & Joe Quesada
Daredevil V2: Parts of a Hole - David Mack & Joe Quesada
I wouldnât miss these volumes as there are some big developments, a character is introduced who returns later, and the art is fantastic.
These volumes are collected in two out of print Omnibus editions, five oversized hardcovers (V2-6), three Ultimate Collection paperbacks, and the individual volumes listed below.Â
Daredevil V3: The Wake - Brian Bendis & David Mack
Daredevil V4: Underboss - Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev
Daredevil V5: Out - Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev
Daredevil V6: Lowlife - Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev
Daredevil V7: Hardcore - Brian Bendis & Alex MaleevÂ
Daredevil V8: Echo: Vision Quest - David Mack
This volume is a departure from the story Bendis and Maleev are telling, but itâs well worth reading.
Alias V1-4 - Brian Bendis & Michael Gaydos
This is a good time to read Bendisâ Alias series as itâs loosely connected to his Daredevil run. They share some of the same supporting characters and Jessica Jones works as one of Matt Murdockâs bodyguards for a time. This run is available in an Omnibus, two Ultimate Collections or four paperbacks.
Daredevil V9: King of Hells Kitchen - Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev
Daredevil V10: The Widow - Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev
Daredevil V11: Golden Age - Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev
Daredevil V12: Decalogue - Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev
Daredevil V13: The Murdock Papers - Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev
This is the end of Bendis & Maleevâs run and itâs left on quite the cliffhanger. At this point you can read Daredevil: End of Days as itâs the spiritual final volume of Bendisâ run, but it technically takes place at the end of the continuity so Iâm listing it last.Â
Daredevil: The Devil Inside and Out V1 - Ed Brubaker & Michael Lark
Daredevil: The Devil Inside and Out V2 - Ed Brubaker & Michael Lark
Immortal Iron Fist - Ed Brubaker/Matt Fraction & David Aja
This is a good time to read Iron Fist, it picks up with where Danny Rand leaves off in Daredevil at this point, plus itâs fantastic. Itâs available in a Complete Collection of three trade paperbacks.
Daredevil: Hell to Pay V1 - Ed Brubaker & Michael Lark
Daredevil: Hell to Pay V2 - Ed Brubaker & Michael Lark
Daredevil: Cruel and Unusual - Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka & Michael Lark
Daredevil: Lady Bullseye - Ed Brubaker & Michael Lark
Daredevil: Return of the King - Ed Brubaker & Michael Lark
These volumes are available in two Omniâs, three Ultimate Collections, or the seven trade paperbacks outlines above.
Daredevil: Father - Joe Quesada
If you want to take a break from the main story this is a good time to read this volume, which is an exploration of Daredevilâs relationship with his father⊠but the real draw of this book is the fantastic artwork.
At this point Brubaker leaves the book in another cliffhanger, unfortunately this one isnât as satisfyingly resolved. Andy Diggleâs run starts off well but goes downhill fast. They are the minimum you need to follow the story, or you can skip them altogether if youâre not worried about continuity.Â
Daredevil: The Devilâs Hand - Andy Diggle & Various
Daredevil: Shadowland - Andy Diggle & Antony Johnston
SHADOWLAND - Andy Diggle & Billy Tan
Daredevil: Reborn - Andy Diggle & Davide Gianfelice
This is Daredevilâs return to form, though with a very different tone to what came before. These stories are being collected in 5 OHCâs as well as the individual volumes listed below:
Daredevil Volume 1 - Mark Waid & Paulo Rivera
Daredevil Volume 2 - Mark Waid & Marcos Martin
Daredevil Volume 3 - Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Daredevil Volume 4 - Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Daredevil Volume 5 - Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Daredevil Volume 6 - Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Daredevil Volume 7 - Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Daredevil V1: Devil at Bay - Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Daredevil V2: West-Case Scenario - Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Daredevil V3: The Daredevil You Know - Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Daredevil V4: The Autobiography of Matt Murdock - Waid & Samnee
This concludes Mark Waidâs fantastic run on Daredevil, after which the series is being relaunched by Charles Soule and Ron Garney in the âAll-New Marvelâ
Daredevil End of Days: Brian Bendis & Janson/Maleev/Mack/Sienkewicz
This is the final Daredevil story which can be read any time after Bendis run.
I hope people find this useful, if the feedback is good Iâll include more of these in future. If you have any questions or suggestions please let me know, and come back tomorrow for the next shelf reveal. Thanks for reading.