How Frank Miller Returned to Daredevil for Born Again

Marvel's Mid-1980s Boom: Iconic Stories and Seismic Shifts

The mid-1980s marked a golden age for Marvel Comics, a period of both creative and commercial success. Having overcome financial difficulties of the late 1970s, Marvel was poised to reshape the comic book industry. This era saw the release of pivotal storylines that continue to resonate with readers today, leaving an indelible mark on the Marvel universe and the industry as a whole. This article explores some of the most significant works from this period.

Key Storylines and Their Impact

The era's success was fueled by several landmark stories:

• Frank Miller's Born Again: This Daredevil saga, featured in Daredevil #227-233, is widely considered a masterpiece. The story sees Karen Page betray Matt Murdock, leading to his utter downfall. His subsequent redemption, alongside Kingpin's descent into obsessive villainy, creates a powerful narrative. Its influence is evident in Daredevil season 3 and the upcoming Disney+ series, Daredevil: Born Again.

• Walt Simonson's Surtur Saga: Simonson's run on Thor, beginning with #337, introduced Beta Ray Bill and revitalized the series with a strong mythic fantasy element. The Surtur Saga (#340-353) features the fire demon Surtur's attempt to trigger Ragnarok, leading to an epic battle involving Thor, Loki, and Odin. Elements of this saga influenced Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok.

• Secret Wars: This 12-part miniseries (1984), a marketing collaboration with Mattel, introduced the Beyonder and saw numerous Marvel heroes and villains battling on Battleworld. While narratively uneven, its impact on the industry was undeniable. Its success spawned Secret Wars II and helped solidify the "event crossover" model in mainstream comics.

• Roger Stern's Spider-Man Run: Stern's tenure on Amazing Spider-Man (#224-251) saw the introduction of the Hobgoblin, a significant addition to Spider-Man's rogues gallery. His run also featured the debut of Spider-Man's black symbiote costume in Amazing Spider-Man #252, later explained in Secret Wars #8. The symbiote's introduction marked a pivotal moment in Spider-Man's history. Additionally, Peter David and Rich Buckler's Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110 featured "The Death of Jean DeWolff," a dark and impactful story.

• X-Men Milestones: The mid-80s saw several key moments for the X-Men: Vision and the Scarlet Witch #4 revealed Magneto as the father of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. X-Men #171 and #200 showcased significant character shifts with Rogue joining the X-Men and Magneto's heroic turn, respectively. Jean Grey's resurrection in Avengers #263 and Fantastic Four #286, and the introduction of Apocalypse in X-Factor #5-6, were also defining moments.

A Lasting Legacy

The mid-1980s proved to be a watershed moment for Marvel Comics. The storylines discussed above not only entertained readers but also significantly shaped the future of the Marvel Universe and the broader comic book landscape. Their influence continues to be felt in modern adaptations and continues to inspire new generations of comic book creators.

What's the best story to come out of the period of 1983-1986 at Marvel?

Born AgainThe Surtur SagaSecret WarsThe introduction of the HobgoblinThe Death of Jean DeWolffMagneto's trialJean Grey's resurrectionOther (Tell us in the comments.)AnswerSee Results