Key Comics Vault

Daredevil is one of Marvel’s most popular and enduring characters. The combination of the name, costume, his faith, and superpowers make Daredevil a standout character in a overcrowded genre. Like the top names in superheroes, Matt Murdock has an impressive rogues’ gallery. Key Comics Vault has trawled through Hell’s Kitchen to find the greatest and best Daredevil villains.

7. Mister Fear

For the Man without Fear it seems necessary for one of Daredevil’s villains to be focused just that. Mister Fear uses fear gas to instill terror into his foes. To make things worse for Daredevil, there have been four different Mr Fears: Zoltan Drago, Lawrence Cranston, Alan Fagan, and Samuel Saxon. The most enduring of these is Larry Cranston, who has shown no hesitation in targeting Matt’s loved ones.

First appearance (Zoltan Drago): Daredevil #6, Vol 1, 1964

Recommended reading: Daredevil #100-105, Vol. 2, 2007-2008

6. Purple Man

Zebediah Killgrave had been a Croatian spy for the Soviet Union. Charged with raiding an American army base to steal an experimental nerve gas. The ploy went badly and Killgrave was covered with the gas, turning his skin purple and giving the power of persuasion. Taking on the moniker Purple Man, Killgrave no longer worked as spy, instead using his powers for personal gain.

Despite having the willpower to resist Killgrave, he has remained a dangerous adversary for Daredevil. Purple Man is sadistic, known for abusing women and even his own children.

First appearance: Daredevil #4, Vol 1, 1964

Recommended reading: Daredevil #8-10, Vol. 4, 2014

5. Typhoid Mary

Mary Walker is a mutant of varying powers. She can disrupt minds and plant suggestions via low-level telepathy. Typhoid Mary is also telekenetic and can generate small fires. These powers are dependent on her personalities, as she has several, from the quiet Mary to the violent Bloody Mary.

Mary has been deeply involved in the criminal world as an adult, after being abused and institutionalised as a child. Her relationship with with Daredevil has been just as complicated, with them being lovers and enemies, sometimes at the same time. Her ability to manipulate Matt’s feelings and unpredictability make her a dangerous foe.

First appearance: Daredevil #254, Vol 1, 1988

Recommended reading: Daredevil #254-263, Vol. 1, 1988

4. Owl

Like several foes on this list Owl is another one shared with Spider-Man. Leland Owlsley has powers themed around owls unsurprisingly, including limited flight, superstrength, and supersenses among other things. These are not the things that make him dangerous or one of the best Daredevil villains.

Owl is one of the many crimelords of New York which gives him an interesting relationship with Daredevil. His many criminal operations lead Daredevil to try to not only beat him in the streets, but also in the courtroom as Matt. Ruthlessness and ambition make a dangerous combination in this villain.

First appearance: Daredevil #3, Vol 1, 1964

Recommended reading: Daredevil #41-43, Vol. 2, 2003

3. The Hand

A deadly cult of ninjas who worship a demon called the Beast are not just a Daredevil problem. The Hand have been involved in many nefarious schemes over the centuries, clashing with heroes all over the world. They have also become a regular foe of Daredevil.

Although they can be seen as generic faceless fodder, the Hand offer a different lens to view Daredevil through. They give opportunities for stories to move away from street-level conflict, to something more mystical. The shadowy organisation also has a way of turning Daredevil into a villain too.

First appearance: Daredevil #174, Vol 1, 1981

Recommended reading: Daredevil #500-512, Vol. 2, 2009-10

2. Bullseye

No list of the best Daredevil villains could be complete without the psychotic killer Bullseye. Little is known about the history of the deadly assassin, partly because Bullseye himself shares contradictory statements. Although an impressive martial artist, Bullseye is known for his deadly accuracy and ability to turn any household item into a deadly weapon.

Already an enemy of Daredevil, Bullseye took things further by targeting Matt’s lover Elektra in the infamous Frank Miller’s Last Hand storyline. Bullseye has continued to plague Matt and attack loved ones. The deadly assassin’s skills make him formidable but it is Bullseye’s ability to enrage Daredevil that make him one of the best foes.

First appearance: Daredevil #131, Vol 1, 1975

Recommended reading: Daredevil #181, Vol 1, 1982

1. Kingpin

There could only be one choice for Daredevil’s greatest villain. Kingpin is also one of Spider-Man’s best villains but the relationship between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk has always felt deeper. The hatred the crime boss has for Daredevil is unbridled and that feeling is mirrored by the hero.

Kingpin has always been equal to Daredevil in a physical contest with his sheer mass and strength, but their conflicts are rarely fist fights. Kingpin wields incredible power within New York, with resources Daredevil cannot match. Matt then has to attack Fisk’s criminal enterprise with his role as a lawyer. This has always added more layers of interest to their stories as, allowing for complex clashes.

First appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #50, Vol 1, 1969

Recommended reading: Daredevil #227-233, Vol 1, 1986 (Buy Bookshop.org, Buy UK.Bookshop.org, Buy Forbidden Planet)