I am a big fan of the classics and taking things chronologically. With that in mind we can hit the majors:Frank Miller run V1 #168-191 - groundbreaking and life changing collected here and herethen on to the underrated (and problematic) Micah Synn arc from V1 202, 204, 207, 210-214 by Denny O’Neil & David Mazzucchelli Daredevil V1 #220 is a very powerful, emotional issue I mention for continuity’s sake, yet be warned, there is a death in the family and possible suicide triggerNext it is time for what is widely considered the ultimate DD arc: Born Again by a returning Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. Gripping and powerful, it just doesn’t get any better. V1 227-233 found hereNext is the Ann Nocenti experience and imo her best work can be found from 250-282, (you can skip 264) a sprawling run rife with stories about everything from environmental and social issues, equality, faith, love and betrayal and introduces Typhoid Mary as well as taking our hero to hell and back… literally. A fantastic read for any DD fan, the bulk of which can be found here and here.The 90′s weren’t all that great for Hornhead, but one arc stands above the rest, and that’s Last Rites or the Fall of the Kingpin from V1 #297-300. The absolutely fantastic 4 issue arc that explores the dynamic between Matt and Wilson Fisk can be found here.Now it’s about time for Volume 2 and you might as well start at the beginning with Kevin Smith’s and Joe Quesada’s run. Problematic, and game changing… it’s an essential time in Matt’s life and establishes much of what is to come. V2 #1-8 and can be found hereNext up is one of my all time favorites, introducing the writing talents of David Mack and art by Joe Quesada.. Here we deal with the fallout of the previous issues, as well as introducing one of my favorite characters, Maya Lopez aka Echo. It also takes us on a journey exploring the origin of Wilson Fisk and is just simply wonderful. Issues V2 #9-15 and found here and hereNow we are prepared to delve into one of the most highly praised and amazing runs of the modern era in any book, anywhere… the Bendis/Alex Maleev run. Dark, dense, provocative… it has everything a noir loving DD fan needs to sink their teeth into and clamp down hard. Running from issues V2 #26-40, #41-50, #56-65, #66-81 and is most completely collected here, here, and here.Now in between this, spanning issues V2 #51-55 is a stunningly gorgeous arc that brings back Echo and is both written and gorgeously painted by David Mack. This is simply an awe inspiring piece of art and can be found here.This brings us to our final big chunk arc by Mr. Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. A similarly sprawling run, this ambitious series of events encapsulates all of the trials and tribulations Matt Murdock has undergone. It is a wonderful, wonderful read, even though there are aspects of Matt’s characterization that I disagree with, it is an important and entertaining read no matter how you shake it. Running from issues V2 #82-93, #94-105, #106-119, & #500. You can find these here, here, and here.After that feel free to skip through Shadowland, and you, my friend, are well on your way to being completely caught up in the wide wonderful world of Daredevil. This is of course by no means complete, and lengthier than I intended… but I feel it sums up the biggest major events and relationships in Matt’s life. I am a HUGE fan of the 70′s Black Widow run, but I understand it’s not exactly for everyone. If you can, I certainly encourage reading every issue ever! One way to accomplish that cheaply and conveniently I have found is with a Marvel Unlimited subscription. For like $10 a month, you can pretty much binge read every thing I listed here.There are tons of great stand alones out there, like Frank Miller & John Romita Jr.’s Man Without Fear origin retelling hereDaredevil: Yellow by Jeff Loeb and Tim Sale, is a delightful must read for anyone who ships Matt and Karen, found hereDaredevil: End of Days headed by Bendis and Mack and a swath of artists is a dazzling alternate story totally worth looking into hereThere is of course nothing wrong with reading these in any order you want to devour them in… I just feel that getting a chronological understanding helps to make each successive run that more enjoyable! When you complete this list be sure to head back and reread all of the V3 and V4 stuff again… you will delight at the sheer amount of loving care (and Easter eggs!) that went into those runs!CBR is in the process of a fantastic voter based write up of the Greatest 50 Daredevil stories found here. Totally an awesome resource as well!Sorry answer was so long and I hope this helps anon!
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