Episode Details

If you are every arguing with friends about what was the best year in the history of comics, you could do worse than arguing for 1986.  With a ton of interesting independent books, vibrant small-press publishers popping up everywhere, and four of the most beloved stories in the history of comics, ’86 was definitely a banner year!

This is part 2 of the podcast. that will feature the year in Daredevil, the Spotlight story and the Takeaway for 1986.

The Year in Daredevil 

Appearances: Daredevil #226-237, Spectacular Spider-Man #110, Amazing Spider-Man #277, Marvel Age Annual #2, Avengers Annual #15, Marvel Fanfare #27, Elektra: Assassin #1 and 4, Marvel Saga the Official History #13, and Marvel Graphic Novel: Daredevil Love and War 

Writing credits: Frank Miller and Denny O’Neil (226), Frank Miller (227-233), Mark Gruenwald (234), Danny Fingeroth (235), Ann Nocenti (236), “John Harkness” (237)  

Pencilers: David Mazzucchelli (226-233), Steve Ditko (234-235), Barry Windsor-Smith (236), Lois Williams (237) 

Inks: Dennis Janke (226), David Mazzucchelli (227-233), Klaus Jansen (234), Danny Bulanadi (235), Windsor-Smith and Bob Wiacek (236), Al Williamson and Bulandi (237) 

• The year begins Frank Miller returning to the title and a story where Daredevil helps Gladiator save Betsy Beatty after confronting him stealing from a museum 
• Next, Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli start an iconic run of books that you’ve probably heard of “Born Again” that starts with book 227 and finishes with 233. This incredible will be the spotlight for this week. 
• After Born Again, we get four stand-alone stories by four different writers to finish out the year. The first against a weird “hero” named Mad Cap who spouts nonsense and seemly can’t be killed. Next Daredevil takes on Mr. Hyde yet again. Then Daredevil and the Black Widow team up to track down another deranged member of the Super Soldier Project. Finally, Daredevil takes on the Klaw who’s looking to re-establish himself by taking him down. 
• Issue #237 was initially going to be the start of Steve Engelhart’s run on DD, but he was replaced by Ann Nocenti after writing just one issue, which he had his name taken off of, and the pen name “John Harkness” was credited 
• Daredevil: Love and War GN told the story of how the Kingpin kidnapped a psychiatrist’s wife to coerce him to help his wife, who was not recovering well from her accident and her captivity in the sewers.  By the end of the story we find out Vanessa only wants to escape from Fisk, and he sends her away to Europe with the doctor and his wife so she can heal and start a new life. 
• Elektra: Assassin is completely batshit.  Fully painted by Bill S., it is wildly experimental and confusing.  Elektra and a cyborg who is obsessed with her try to stop a presidential candidate who looks kind of like Dan Quayle from doing the will of “the beast” and causing a nuclear holocaust. 

New Powers, Toys or Places

New Supporting Characters

New Villains

This Week's Spotlight: Daredevil #227 February 1986 “Apocalypse” through Daredevil #233 August 1986 “Armageddon”

Recap

Why We Picked This Story

The Takeaway

It was the Best of Times, but it led to the Worst of Times. 

Questions or comments

We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime.

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THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING CREATORS AND RESOURCES 

Music: Our theme music is by the very talented Lesfm.  You can find more about them and their music at https://pixabay.com/users/lesfm-22579021/. 

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