Posted By Dan Greenfield on Dec 26, 2020 | 5 comments

Even covers by the greatest can be underrated…

Hey, it’s Boxing Day! Which has nothing to do with boxing. But when I do think of boxing and comics, one of the characters I immediately think of is Daredevil. (Plus, we celebrate Annie Nocenti’s DD every Christmas.)

All of which gives me an excuse to put together 13 UNDERRATED DAREDEVIL COVERS from the Silver and Bronze Ages — with Frank Miller’s arrival the cutoff point. But be prepared for plenty of Kane, Colan, Romita and other heavyweight champions!

Dig.

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Daredevil #14. When I look at DD covers, I look for movement. On the face of it, this is a standard battle cover, but when you check out the circuitous construction of the image, it’s almost like watching a scene on an endless loop. Groovy.

John Romita pencils, Frank Giacoia inks

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Daredevil #91. I really am a sucker for rooftop battles that give you a great sense of cityscape, height and scope. Plus, you’ve got Gil Kane’s matchless sense of movement.

Gil Kane pencils, Joe Sinnott inks

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Daredevil #56. On the strength of Karen Page’s dad alone. LOOK AT THAT FACE.

Gene Colan pencils, George Klein inks

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Daredevil #114. You never really think of DD outside of New York, so the idea of a meet-cute with Man-Thing in the swamp is a fun testament to the notion of a shared universe and the oddities you can find.

Kane pencils, Esposito inks

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Daredevil #23. Again that sense of movement. A real close shave for ol’ Hornhead.

Colan and Giacoia

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Daredevil #155. Really, would it take Black Widow, Cap, the Beast and Hercules to bring down Daredevil? Not really, but Colan rocks and he sells it.

Colan pencils, Frank Springer inks

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Daredevil #78. Nothing fancy. Just a good ol’ swingin’ cover. Very Batman. (Sorry.)

Herb Trimpe pencils, Frank Giacoia inks

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Daredevil #94. I dig this one. It’s over the top, sure, but I like the basic “X” construction: the gigantic arms and Daredevil and Black Widow’s swooping bodies take you right into the center of the image. Bonus points for the Indestructible Man’s underlit face.

Kane pencils, Tom Palmer inks

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Daredevil #121. Now, I’m no Daredevil expert but I don’t really think of him going up against Hydra. Nevertheless, that is one badass rendering of the evildoers’ logo. Add that Kane-ian action and the flames and you’ve got a bright, hard-hitting cover. (Look at the power in DD’s punch!)

Kane and Sinnott

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Daredevil #108. If the Beetle shows up, chances are he’ll make a list like this.

Romita

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Daredevil #137. Even after a year, Jaws Fever was still making its way into comics. Plus, I love a deathtrap that features a slide leading to certain doom.

John Buscema pencils, possible Jim Mooney inks

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Daredevil #67. What, you didn’t think we’d forget Stilt-Man, did you?

Marie Severin pencils, Bill Everett inks

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Daredevil #146. I’m actually not really sure this qualifies as “underrated” because this is a brilliant cover, with the compelling, multiple angles of Daredevil and Bullseye. It also presages Frank Miller’s fascination with TV screens. To me, this is the best of this crop — a bold cover from about a year before DD became the hottest comic in the biz.

Kane pencils, Dave Cockrum inks

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MORE

— 13 Underrated SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN Covers. Click here.

— 13 Underrated FANTASTIC FOUR Covers. Click here.

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Credits from the Grand Comics Database.