Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)

Daredevil is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with some input from Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Daredevil #1 (April 1964).

Daredevil is the alias of Matthew Michael Murdock, a lawyer from Hell's Kitchen who was blinded in childhood in a chemical accident that enhanced his other senses. After his father Jack is killed by gangsters, Matt hones his physical abilities and superhuman senses under his mentor, the blind and mysterious Stick, becoming an expert martial artist. Eventually, in ironic contrast to his Catholic upbringing and beliefs, Matt dons a devil-like costume and takes up a dual life of fighting against the criminal underworld in New York City. This puts him in conflict with many super-villains, including his arch-enemies Bullseye and the Kingpin. He also becomes a skilled and respected lawyer who forms a law firm with Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, his best friend and college roommate. He establishes a long relationship with co-worker Karen Page, who experiences many hardships before her eventual murder by Bullseye. He re-encounters his on-again off-again girlfriend Elektra Natchios, a fearsome ninja assassin who is murdered by Bullseye as well, but resurrected.

Writer/artist Frank Miller's influential tenure on the title in the early 1980s cemented the character as a popular and influential part of the Marvel Universe. Miller introduced elements of film noir and ninja films, and subsequent writers for the title have continued these themes and imagery. In particular, the series often explore political corruption, moral ambiguity, childhood trauma, disability, Irish Catholic identity, and Christian themes. The representation of women in the comic is controversial, but at times it has expressed feminist themes, particularly in the period written by Anne Nocenti. Daredevil is a critically acclaimed series, and has won multiple Eisner Awards, in particular for later authors Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, and Mark Waid.

Daredevil is a prominent example of a disabled superhero, and has served as inspiration and positive representation for blind people and their advocates. He has appeared in various media, including films and television series. Ben Affleck portrayed the character in the film Daredevil (2003). Subsequently, Charlie Cox portrays the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, initially in the television series Daredevil (2015–2018) and later in Daredevil: Born Again (2025).