Daredevil:
The Man Without Fear
# 1-11
He dwells in eternal night - but the blackness is filled with sounds and scents other men cannot perceive. Though attorney Matt Murdock is blind, his other senses function with superhuman sharpness - his radar sense guides him over every obstacle! He stalks the streets by night, a red garbed foe of evil! Daredevil, the Man Without Fear!

April, 1964
Daredevil # 1: "The Origin of Daredevil" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Bill Everett
Inker: Bill Everett
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Matt Murdock's life is dramatically changed when he saves an old man, and is struck by a radioactive isotope. He discovers that he has been gifted with enhanced senses. Thanks to his father's selfless guidance, Matt becomes a lawyer. Unfortunately, "Battling" Murdock refuses to take a dive and is killed by the Fixer. Matt dawns a costume and using his hyper senses tracks down his father's killer as Daredevil and brings them to justice.

Jay's Notes

  • First appearance and origin of Daredevil.
  • First appearance and death of "Battling" Murdock.
  • First appearance of Foggy Nelson, Karen Page and the Fixer.
  • Nickname inspired by the tauntings of his childhood bullies.
  • DD's origin and history is unfortunately rushed to fit into the story as flashback and leaves a lot of blanks to be filled by later DD writer, such as Frank Miller with Daredevil: The Man Without Fear miniseries.

June, 1964
Daredevil # 2: "The Evil Menace of Electro" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Joe Orlando
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
The Fantastic Four approach Nelson & Murdock for the legal work on the Baxter building's lease. The FF leave down, and Electro sets his sights on Reed's scientific breakthroughs. Matt, checking out the Baxter building, confronts Electro as Daredevil. DD is defeats and Electro puts him into orbit in a rocket. DD awakens and reverses the rocket's course. He catches up with Electro, but since Matt didn't have time to complete the lease, the FF fire him.

August, 1964
Daredevil # 3: "The Owl, Ominous Overlord of Crime" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Joe Orlando
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJ1/2
Synopsis:
When an overconfident underworld figure known only as the only as the Owl is threatened with police charges, he randomly picks Nelson & Murdock. When the Owl doesn't show up for court, DD decides to investigate. The Owl and his goons decide to kidnap Murdock, but when DD shows up they capture Karen and DD is forced to surrender. They are taken to the Owl's Aerie, but DD escape his prison and frees Karen. DD confronts the Owl, but he manages to escape.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of the Owl.
  • First use of DD's backpack to store his clothes. Although, it only lasts two issues.
  • The Matt/Karen/Foggy subplot moves to the forefront.
  • Colletta's inks are disappointing.

October, 1964
Daredevil # 4: "Killgrave, the Unbelievable Purple Man" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Joe Orlando
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJ1/2
Synopsis:
Murdock is called in to defend Killgrave, a purple man who can influence people. However, before Murdock can get started, Killgrave has already escaped and it's DD's turn to try and take him down. DD uses his iron will to resist Killgrave's power, but Killgrave turns a mob on him and DD is forced to withdraw. DD confronts him again, but this time defeats him by wrapping him in a plastic sheet.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance and origin of the Killgrave.
  • Last use of DD's backpack.

December, 1964
Daredevil # 5: "The Mysterious Masked Matador" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Wally Wood
Inker: Wally Wood
Jay's Rating:
JJ1/2
Synopsis:
The Matador's crime streaks attacks a lot of attention, including Daredevil's. He escapes his first encounter with Daredevil. Foggy talks over his intent to propose to Karen with Matt. Matt then decides that there is just no room in Daredevil's life for love. Daredevil's second encounter with the Matador during a costume party ends up a humiliating defeat. The general public take a liking and a fascination with the rogue. Daredevil tricks the Matador into a confrontation which leads to a public defeat.

Jay's Notes:

  • Double "D" added to DD's costume.
  • First appearance and origin of the Matador.

February, 1965
Daredevil # 6: "Trapped by the Fellowship of Fear" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Wally Wood
Inker: Wally Wood
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
DD catches wind of a suspicious movie shoot starring the Ox and the Eel. He's unable to stop them when Mr. Fear arrives and gives him a dose of fear gas. Zoltan Drago, Mr. Fear's alter ego, opens a wax figure exhibit which draws DD's attention. Unfortunately, Fogey is injured during the battle. The Fellowship of Fear make an attempt to knock off Fogey, but DD stops them. DD catches up with them and captures them.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance and origin of Mr. Fear.

February, 1965
Daredevil # 7: "In Mortal Combat with Sub-Mariner" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Wally Wood
Inker: Wally Wood
Jay's Rating: JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Krang prods Namor for military action against the surface world, but Namor is weary of the bloodshed. He seeks out Nelson & Murdock, but they are unable to build a legal case that would bring up Atlantis land claims. Namor tries another tactic and lets himself be arrested, to use the trial as a forum. Namor is forced to escape when he learns that Krang is rallying a rebellion in his absence. DD valiantly tries to stop Namor for escaping, but Namor is too powerful for him. However, DD's courage convinces Namor to flee peacefully.

Jay's Notes:

  • DD switches to his classic red costume. 
  • Namor is drawn sans pointy ears.
  • Outstanding art by Wood giving Namor the regal look and feel his character deserves.
  • A classic DD story, where he out classed and perceivers to win the day.

April, 1965
Daredevil # 8: "The Stiltman Cometh" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Wally Wood
Inker: Wally Wood
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Matt is approached by Wilbur Day who wants to sue his employer for stealing his inventions. Meanwhile, the mysterious Stiltman begins a crime wave and DD is unable to stop him. Matt and Day investigate Day's boss Mr. Kaxton, since Matt believes he may be the Stiltman. However, it turns out that Day is the Stiltman and he steals Kaxton's latest invention, the molecular condenser. DD pursues Stiltman and the molecular condenser is accidently used on the Stiltman. The Stiltman fades away.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of the Stiltman.

August, 1965
Daredevil # 9: "That He May See!" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Wally Wood/Bob Powell
Inker: Wally Wood
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
Matt is invited to Lichtenbad, a walled city state, ruled by his former classmate. Klaus Kruger, who has a famous eye surgeon on staff. After the initial examination, DD pokes around a bit and learns that Kruger is a tyrant and he's keeping world famous scientists prisoners. DD is found out and captured, but he aids the local rebels. He confronts Kruger and keeps him busy while the rebels free the prisoners  and destroy Kruger's facilities. Kruger dies from a fall off of a rampart. 

October, 1965
Daredevil # 10: "While the City Sleeps!" 
Writer: Wally Wood
Penciller: Bob Powell/Wally Wood
Inker: Wally Wood
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
The Organizer recruits four criminals as his Ani-Men and provides them with battle suits. He sends them out to disrupt the city's political order so that he can seize control. Foggy gets involved with the reform party and runs for D.A. with them. He meets up with his old sweetheart Deborah Harris. Daredevil tries to spoils their plans but he's framed for their robbery. Daredevil catches up with the Ani-Men, who have kidnapped Deborah and captures Cat Man. Daredevil prevents Cat Man's teammates from killing him while he spills the beans to the police about the Organization and the Organizer.

December, 1965
Daredevil # 11: "A Time to Unmask!" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Wally Wood
Inker: Wally Wood
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
Daredevil learns that Deborah is work with the Organization. He rescues her and plays along until he can use her to trap the Frog Man. He defeats the Frog Man and takes his identity to discover the Organizer's lair. Daredevil beats the rest of the Ani-Men and unmasks the Organizer who turns out to be the reform party's candidate for Mayor.
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