The Best And Worst Day Of Daredevil's Life

2. The Worst Day Of Matt Murdock's Life - Born Again

Daredevil Born Again Matt Murdock
Marvel Comics/Dave Mazzucchelli

Many consider Born Again to be one of the best Daredevil stories ever told and it’s easy to see why. Legendary writer Frank Miller was at the helm, having already redefined the character throughout his initial run on the character, and the story itself might be one of the darkest, most depressing and altogether bleak moments in any superhero's career.

What kickstarts the story is a snapshot of pure grime in which Karen Page, former secretary of Matt Murdock, sells the real identity of Daredevil for a shot of heroin. It’s an act which sets the tone of the piece, and intimates quite clearly that it won't be pulling any punches. Needless to say,it’s pretty horrible to witness.

This information makes its way to the Kingpin, who uses every connection he can to torture Murdock, making his life a living hell. Fisk's destruction of Murdock comes to ahead in “Purgatory”, which showed just how serious the Kingpin was about exacting his revenge.

Daredevil Born Again Rubble
Marvel Comics

Matt Murdock’s bank accounts were frozen, he had a police officer testify that Matt was paying witnesses to lie - which leads to him being disbarred - and to top it all off, he loses his girlfriend to his own law partner (and friend) Foggy Nelson. Things do, however, manage to get even worse when Kingpin pulls the trigger and firebombs Matt’s home.

It suddenly hits Matt - it’s not just a series of bad events, he’s being targeted, and he’s been exposed. As his apartment burns so too does his life, and his costume being placed on the top of the wreckage is a final insult from his greatest adversary. He has nothing left.

Now obviously this isn't how the book ends. As the title suggests, Murdock is quite literally Born Again, with character experiencing a resurrection of sorts, but here lies his lowest point. Everything that gave Matt security and happiness is gone, and a vulnerable friend was manipulated in order to make it happen.There is no point lower than this for Matt Murdock, but it’s a necessary one, as out of this crucible of fire comes a stronger, more resilient hero - the one we know and love today.

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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.

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Jules Gill hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.