Daredevil 158 got to the top spot in August. But why this issue, and why now? What makes Daredevil #158 so popular after all this time? What’s motivating those who like to sell comic books?
The Daredevil comic series
The Daredevil comic series started in 1964, created by Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with some design help from Jack Kirby. Issue #1 introduced Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer whose heightened senses turned him into the hero of Hell’s Kitchen. That debut told us about his origin, his yellow costume, and the idea that weakness could become strength.
The series has been around for years, but real heat began in the late 70s when Frank Miller joined the crew. Miller transformed Daredevil. His Born Again arc with David Mazzucchelli remains outstanding – Kingpin systematically destroys Matt’s life, and watching him claw his way back is brutal and inspiring. Another high point was The Man Without Fear, which rewrote his origin into a darker one. Daredevil also crossed paths with Spider-Man, Black Widow, and even the Punisher, making for memorable team-ups and clashes.
What makes this series compelling is how it dared (ha!) to explore failure, Catholic guilt, and moral compromise. He was fighting villains as much as his own demons.
Daredevil 158
Daredevil 158, published in 1979, is one of the more popular issues. It’s the end of an era – the last issue written by Roger McKenzie. But what makes daredevil #158 even more historic is that it’s the very first time Frank Miller contributed to Daredevil.
The story itself has Daredevil facing Death-Stalker, a creepy villain who could phase through dimensions and kill with a touch. It’s a classic late-Bronze Age issue. But what readers didn’t realize at the time was that Miller’s arrival meant Daredevil was about to go from a second-tier Marvel book to one of its most popular ones. His art style and street-level focus would soon drag Matt Murdock into darker, crime-ridden territory that changed the character.
How much is the daredevil #158 value
Current market daredevil 158 value shows a big spread depending on condition. Raw, lower-grade copies can still be picked up without breaking the bank, but graded high-end versions pricier, like usual. Here’s daredevil #158 value based on condition:
- Ungraded copies often sell around $50-60
- VG (4.0) copies cost about $40-45
- Fine (6.0) examples bring in close to $90
- VF (8.0) copies go for about $140-150
- NM- (9.2) sits in the $170 range
- Near-perfect 9.8 copies can reach around $1,000
