Daredevil’s incredible superhero journey illustrates that even the legendary Man Without Fear cannot thrive without the support of friends. Regardless of how secretive, dark, or brooding a hero might be, no hero can maintain a successful career in crime-fighting without forming vital alliances within the superhero community. Most Marvel readers will fondly remember how some of Daredevil’s most significant allies are everyday citizens, particularly Ben Urich and Foggy Nelson, who play crucial roles in his life.

Nonetheless, the friendships that Daredevil has forged rank among the most impactful within the expansive Marvel Universe. Over the decades, Matt Murdock has aligned himself with the New Avengers and the Defenders, while also cultivating personal relationships with a plethora of superheroes. Beyond these iconic teams, Daredevil has established meaningful connections with numerous heroes in the New York City area, particularly around Hell’s Kitchen, providing Matt with a robust network of allies that he can always rely on in times of need.

10

Black Widow / Natasha Romanova: A Key Player in Daredevil’s Life

First Appearance: Tales of Suspense #52 by Stan Lee, Don Rico, Don Heck, and Sam Rosen

The connection between Daredevil and Black Widow has been an intriguing dance over the past six decades. Although this particular romance may never transition to the MCU, it stands out as arguably Daredevil’s greatest romance. As is often the case in the world of superheroes, the quest to combat crime is unending, so even though their romantic involvement has faded, Daredevil and Black Widow continue to cross paths within the superhero community, collaborating on numerous occasions.

Natasha Romanova, while lacking superpowers or super-strength, possesses a unique skill set that places her among the elite agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Her absence of traditional powers may position her slightly lower than Daredevil on Marvel’s power hierarchy, but this does not diminish the exceptional training and expertise she has developed over her career. Her prowess as a human fighter and strategist makes Black Widow one of the most formidable Avengers, proving her worth time and again.

9

Elektra: The Legendary Assassin Turned Ally

First Appearance: Daredevil #168 by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Joe Rosen

Despite being an ordinary human, Elektra’s combat skills are nothing short of extraordinary. Those who have fallen victim to Elektra’s wrath have learned to fear her mere name. During her time as a lethal assassin, she was often spoken of as a mythical figure, capable of striking swiftly and silently in the night when least expected. Even now, after adopting a no-kill philosophy and taking on the mantle of Daredevil, Elektra’s abilities remain chillingly effective, showcasing her continuous evolution as a character.

The perception of Elektra as a near-supernatural figure, often regarded as a literal Boogeyman, elevates her skill set to a level above the average human, despite her lack of super strength. Although their once-passionate romance has ended, Matt is fortunate to still have Elektra as a steadfast partner in the ongoing fight against crime.

8

The Punisher / Frank Castle: A Complex Relationship with Daredevil

First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #129 by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia, Dave Hunt, and John Costanza

Daredevil and Punisher often find themselves in a complex relationship, acting as both friends and adversaries. These two characters share strong convictions but hold opposing views, particularly regarding Frank Castle’s pro-killing and pro-gun ideology. His unwavering stance has placed him in conflict with many superheroes throughout the Marvel Universe, but with Matt Murdock, their differences have forged an intriguing bond. There are days when they embody fire and ice, clashing dramatically with one another, yet there are also moments when they join forces in surprisingly effective collaboration to combat the forces of evil.

Each era of comic book storytelling seems to reinvent the dynamic between Daredevil and Punisher, but regardless of how close their friendship may be, the Punisher remains firmly human. While Castle is exceptionally skilled in military strategy and hand-to-hand combat, his determination is powered by an adrenaline rush that enhances his strength, yet he cannot match the realm of superhuman abilities.

7

White Tiger / Angela del Toro: The New Generation of Heroes

First Appearance: Daredevil #69 by Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev, Dave Stewart, and Cory Petit

Mainstream audiences were first introduced to Hector Ayala’s White Tiger through the MCU series Daredevil: Born Again. Ayala was a street-level vigilante who frequently collaborated with Daredevil, but more recently in the comics, Daredevil has developed a bond with his niece, Angela. She has embraced her uncle’s legacy, adopting both his name and the Jade Tiger amulets that enhance her basic abilities, including her strength. While the amulets do not make her invulnerable, they certainly augment her power enough to be a valuable ally in battle.

In her journey as a hero, Daredevil took it upon himself to mentor the new White Tiger, guiding her in her development as a superhero. In turn, she reciprocates by joining him in the Hand when Matt becomes the organization’s leader, aiming to redirect its influence toward a more positive purpose instead of its previous evil intentions.

6

Black Tarantula / Carlos LaMuerto: Former Foe Turned Ally

First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #419 by Tom DeFalco, Steve Skroce, Bud LaRosa, Bob Sharen, and Liz Agraphiotis

Daredevil and Carlos LaMuerto share a complicated history, particularly considering they initially crossed paths as adversaries. After observing Carlos’s release from prison on good behavior, Matt recognizes that the former Spider-Man villain is genuinely striving for redemption. Consequently, he collaborates with Carlos to combat the Yakuza, marking the beginning of a meaningful friendship. This bond grows so strong that when Matt takes over the Hand, he invites Carlos to serve as his second-in-command. Knowing Carlos’s capabilities, Daredevil prefers having Black Tarantula as an ally rather than an enemy.

What makes Black Tarantula a formidable opponent is his intellect, which matches his physical strength, and he possesses an accelerated healing factor that allows him to recover quickly during a fight. Daredevil’s ability to inspire greatness in others is evident, even in someone like Black Tarantula, who has the potential to become a hero instead of a villain.

5

Iron Fist / Danny Rand: A Strong Bond Beyond Their Superhero Team

First Appearance: Marvel Premiere #15 by Roy Thomas, Gil Kane, Dick Giordano, Glynis Oliver, and Gaspar Saladino

While their membership in the Defenders has undeniably strengthened the relationship between Matt Murdock and Danny Rand, their friendship extends well beyond their superhero endeavors. Iron Fist remains a steadfast friend to Daredevil outside of their team activities. One of the most significant acts of friendship Danny has provided is his willingness to take on the role of Daredevil during Matt’s imprisonment. Rand exemplifies the type of friend anyone can depend on in their time of need. Although he may not possess the greatest physical strength among the Defenders, the Iron Fist elevates Rand to a level of power that few can rival.

Even without the Iron Fist, Danny is an exceptionally skilled martial artist. He may have lost the Iron Fist during his last adventure with Daredevil, but narratives such as Luke Cage: Gang War highlight how essential and impactful Danny Rand can be, even in the absence of superpowers.

4

Jessica Jones: A Unique Bond with Daredevil

First Appearance: Alias #1 by Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Gaydos, Matt Hollingsworth, Richard Starkings, and Oscar Gongora

Jessica Jones holds the unique distinction of being the only member of the Defenders whom Daredevil has shared a kiss with. While it’s true that Jessica has never been romantically involved with Daredevil, in the narrative of The Variants, he encounters a variant of her from an alternate universe where she shares a romantic connection with that universe’s Daredevil. However, in the established Earth-616, their relationship remains strictly platonic, with Jess and Daredevil maintaining a strong friendship.

Jessica possesses the ability to fly, though she rarely uses this power. Her primary superhuman ability is her impressive super-strength, which has enabled her to perform astonishing feats that have garnered the attention of the Avengers. Had circumstances aligned differently, and had the team approached her before her retirement from superheroism, Jessica could have emerged as one of the most powerful Avengers in Marvel’s illustrious history.

3

Luke Cage: Unbreakable Strength and Loyalty

First Appearance: Hero for Hire #1 by Archie Goodwin, George Tuska, Billy Graham, and Skip Kohloff

Interestingly, one of the few Marvel heroes who surpasses Jessica Jones in strength happens to be her husband, Luke Cage. Luke is not only immensely powerful in a traditional sense, but his skin possesses an impenetrable quality, making him virtually invulnerable to harm. This level of durability elevates his power beyond that of a locomotive, a rare trait even among superheroes in comic history, and especially within Marvel’s roster.

While it’s true that outside of their time together on the Defenders, Daredevil and Luke Cage aren’t particularly close friends, their mutual respect is palpable. Daredevil’s tendency to keep his identity secret and his preference for privacy can create distance between him and many heroes, including Luke Cage. Nevertheless, both characters hold a significant amount of respect for one another and are always willing to assist each other whenever the need arises.

2

Spider-Man / Peter Parker: The Heart of the Marvel Universe

First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and Artie Simek

Daredevil has famously referred to Spider-Man as “the best of us,” and for good reason. This sentiment resonates throughout the Marvel Universe, as it is widely recognized that Peter Parker embodies genuine goodness and a pure heart. These admirable traits have endeared him to his fellow superheroes. However, amidst the accolades for Spider-Man’s emotional attributes, it is easy to overlook his remarkable physical capabilities.

While Spider-Man’s super strength is well-documented, his true strength is often underestimated. It has been noted that Spider-Man possesses such immense power that he frequently holds back his strength unless faced with a true challenge. When he unleashes his full potential and allows his emotions to guide him, he becomes capable of incredible feats, such as delivering a devastating blow that could easily incapacitate an opponent.

1

She-Hulk / Jennifer Walters: The Unyielding Ally of Daredevil

First Appearance: The Savage She-Hulk #1 by Stan Lee, John Buscema, Chic Stone, and Joe Rosen

Fans of the MCU are likely familiar with the dynamic between Jennifer Walters and Matt Murdock as attorneys. While the comics do not depict a romantic relationship between the two, their bond as legal allies and crime-fighters is significant. This connection bestows Daredevil with his most formidable ally. She-Hulk has established herself as one of the most powerful beings in the universe, having triumphed over well-known adversaries such as Thanos and Thor, and even achieving the status of Champion of the Universe.

She-Hulk’s feats of strength have significantly surpassed many of Daredevil’s contemporaries, including Daredevil himself. This demonstrates the importance of having strong allies in high places. When Daredevil is unable to carry his weight, one of his powerful friends is always there to step in and provide support.