When Netflix and Marvel fell out after Disney announced their own streaming platform, the streaming giant canceled all five Marvel Netflix series. Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Daredevil were first to go, then Jessica Jones and The Punisher (after announcing their final seasons). The one that might be hardest to get over is the end of Daredevil.
Through his comic book history, Daredevil has been the guardian of Hell's Kitchen, the tortured Catholic burdened by guilt, the man whose life was destroyed by Kingpin, and the superhero who both battled and teamed with ninjas. He had a couple of his best stories told on the small screen so far, but sadly, these ones will never appear on the TV show.
10 ROULETTE
The story "Roulette" was a Daredevil one-shot story in Daredevil #191, featuring the Man Without Fear and his greatest nemesis, Bullseye. Created by Frank Miller and Terry Austin, this Daredevil story saw him confront Bullseye while the assassin was paralyzed, a result of their fight 10 issues before.
Daredevil is sadistic here, for good reason. Bullseye ended up paralyzed after he killed Elektra. Daredevil visits him in the hospital and plays Russian Roulette with him. This was Miller's final Daredevil story and it was dark and bleak but gave just a glimmer of hope for the hero.
9 GUARDIAN DEVIL
With the introduction of Mysterio in this year's Spider-Man: Far From Home, this famous Daredevil storyline will get a bit more attention. The storyline played out in Daredevil Vol. 2 #1-8 and saw Mysterio as a villain dying from cancer who wanted to drive a superhero crazy. Since Spider-Man was a clone at the time, he set his sights on Daredevil.
Mysterio got all Daredevil's personal information (including secret identity),from Kingpin and then destroyed his life. He framed Foggy for murder, put Matt in charge of a baby that could be the Antichrist, and hired Bullseye, who then killed Karen Page.
8 OVER THE EDGE
Over the Edge took place in the 1990s and saw a lot of different heroes in Marvel Comics lose their minds. The comics in the crossover went through Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, and Incredible Hulk. When it comes to Daredevil, he ended up with split personalities -- one a violent antihero who cripples his enemies and the other wearing his old yellow suit.
It takes a while, but Matt realizes what is happening and that he is both of these characters. Taking place in Daredevil #344-351, Matt has to get Stick to help him piece his mind back together and then somehow put his life back together again.
7 UNDERBOSS
The Daredevil story "Underboss" was released during his time in the Marvel Knights imprint -- something that the Marvel Netflix shows paid homage to with their various adaptations. Originally appearing in Daredevil Vol. 2 #26-31, Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev introduced a new villain.
The story was about a new rising star in the underworld who wanted to bring down Wilson Fisk and take out Daredevil as well. This takes Daredevil into the Noir world that always works best for the character. This was a brilliant start on the series for Bendis.
6 HARDCORE
"Hardcore" is another story where Matt Murdock has to deal with the general public knowing that he is Daredevil. This puts both him and everyone he loves in danger, especially since Kingpin wants to climb back to the top and regain his grip on the city.
Kingpin sends just about everyone he can find after Murdock, including Bullseye and Typhoid Mary. For anyone who doesn't follow Daredevil, this was the storyline that had him savagely beat down Fisk and take his place as the new Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen. Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev told the story, but John Romita and Gene Colan also worked on its final part.
5 THE MURDOCK PAPERS
"The Murdock Papers" is the storyline that saw Daredevil finally arrested and end up in jail. This was a story that showed Matt losing his grip on his sanity and finally breaking down psychologically. He had gone for so long, beset by setback after setback, that it seemed there was no hope in sight.
He tried to become the new Kingpin after beating Fisk but failed. The bad guys all target Matt, his wife leaves him, and he starts to fall further and further into despair. Finally, he makes one mistake too many and the FBI arrested him.
4 THE DEVIL INSIDE AND OUT
Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark took over the Daredevil title and created an incredible story in Daredevil Vol. 2 #82-87. This was "The Devil Inside and Out," which saw Matt Murdock sitting in prison after the FBI learned he was Daredevil and had him arrested. The tension was ratcheted up big-time when it wasn't Murdock who was in danger, but Foggy -- and Matt could only listen to him die.
The rest of this storyline has some pretty big name villains showing up in the same prison Matt is in, and soon Kingpin, Bullseye, and Punisher all end up there as well. It ended with a prison breakout by Matt and Punisher, leading to Matt seeking vengeance for Foggy's apparent death.
3 RETURN OF THE KING
"Return of the King" takes place in Daredevil Vol. 2 #116-119 (and Daredevil #500 when they all tie back in together again). This is the end of the run for Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark and features the triumphant return of Wilson Fisk.
It is an interesting story, as Fisk has retired from crime and lives in Spain but then is attacked by The Hand and Lady Bullseye. He returns to Hell's Kitchen wanting revenge on The Hand, teaming up with Daredevil to achieve this end. It all ends with Matt Murdock taking control of The Hand as their new leader to stop Kingpin.
2 SHADOWLAND
In The Dark Knight movie, Harvey Dent said that you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Shadowland sees Daredevil not only go from the most honorable hero in Hell's Kitchen to the villain, but he becomes one of the most ruthless villains to ever rule over Hell's Kitchen.
Andy Diggle and Roberto De La Torre told the story of Daredevil becoming the new Kingpin of New York. While he was pure evil here, it was because he was possessed by a demon -- so he had that out. The best part about Shadowland was that it led to Daredevil: Reborn, which finally allowed Matt to achieve optimism.
1 END OF DAYS
Daredevil: End of Days was a standalone story, and while it told the story of the death of Daredevil, Marvel ended up making this addition to their Marvel: The End series of stories canon. That was because it was arguably the best of all the 'death of the superheroes' stories.
Bullseye finally kills Daredevil, and as the Man Without Fear dies, reporter Ben Ulrich sets out to cover the story and learn what Matt's final word -- "Mapone" -- meant. Yes, the plot is stolen directly from Citizen Kane, but the story was brilliantly told by Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack, Klaus Janson, and Alex Maleev.