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Chip Zdarsky’s run on Daredevil is one of the most psychologically rich arcs Marvel Comics has produced in years — and Volume 2 pushes that intensity even further. This Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol 2 review examines whether the second chapter of Zdarsky’s acclaimed run delivers on its promise of emotional depth, identity crisis, and the kind of Matt Murdock comics storytelling that stays with you long after you close the book.
📦 Quick Summary > ✔ Best for: Fans of character-driven superhero drama and psychological depth > ✔ Price range: ~$15.99 > ✔ Rating: 4.7/5 (740 global ratings) > ✔ Verdict: Buy
What It Is and Who It’s For
This volume is built for readers who want more than punches and plot twists. It targets the comic book collector who values emotional honesty in superhero fiction — someone who reads Daredevil not just for the action, but for the man beneath the mask.
| Feature | Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol. 2 | Immortal Hulk Vol. 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Story Quality | ✅ Engaging, introspective | ✅ Gripping, horror-infused |
| Art Style | ❌ Some find it inconsistent | ✅ Consistently praised |
| Character Depth | ✅ Deep exploration of Matt Murdock | ✅ Intense look at Banner/Hulk |
| Pacing | ✅ Well-paced, character-driven | ✅ Relentless, suspenseful |
Collects Daredevil (2018) #6-10. The Man Without Fear is missing! Daredevil has disappeared from Hell’s Kitchen – and in his absence, the real devils are starting to come out to play. Detective Cole North may think he’s stopped Daredevil, but there are bigger problems coming his way! Meanwhile, Matt Murdock has emerged from his recent ordeals a changed man – but has he changed for better or worse? As he faces up to the choices he has made, Matt grapples with who he is and who he wants to be. Can he truly live a life without the suit?
📖 This Daredevil paperback collects issues from Zdarsky’s ongoing run, published by Marvel in 2020. It runs 112 pages — compact, but dense with meaning.
Anyone who’s tried jumping into a superhero run mid-stream knows the risk of feeling lost. That’s not the case here. Zdarsky builds on the events of Volume 1 with enough context that readers can orient themselves quickly, while still rewarding those who started from the beginning.
“An essential read for fans of Matt Murdock, exploring his identity and the aftermath of recent ordeals.”
This volume suits longtime Daredevil readers and new fans alike — particularly those following a Daredevil reading order who want to understand how Zdarsky reshapes the character for a modern audience.
Now that we know who this book is for, let’s look at what actually happens inside those 112 pages.
Plot Summary — No Spoilers
This section covers the core narrative arc without giving away key moments. The goal is to give you enough context to decide if this story matches what you’re looking for.
Matt Murdock Without the Mask
The volume opens in the aftermath of a defining event from Volume 1. Matt Murdock has stepped back from Hell’s Kitchen — not by choice, but by necessity.
He’s not Daredevil here, at least not in the way readers expect. Zdarsky forces the character to confront who he is when the suit is gone, and the answer is complicated.
“What stands out in daily use — or in this case, in a single reading session — is how Zdarsky makes Matt’s absence from the streets feel as tense as any fight scene.”
The City Fills the Vacuum
While Matt disappears from his usual role, Hell’s Kitchen doesn’t wait. New threats emerge, and the city’s criminal landscape shifts in ways that feel organic, not manufactured for plot convenience.
This is where Zdarsky’s writing earns its reputation. The cause-and-effect logic of the story is tight — every absence has a consequence.
Pacing and Tension
At 112 pages, this Zdarsky Daredevil volume moves efficiently. There’s no filler. Each scene carries weight, and the transitions between Matt’s internal struggle and the external chaos of the city are handled with real craft.
The pacing suits readers who prefer character momentum over action set pieces. If you came for a brawl-heavy arc, this isn’t it — and that’s a deliberate choice, not a flaw.
The story itself is compelling — but how does Zdarsky actually tell it on the page? That’s where things get more nuanced.
Art and Storytelling
Zdarsky’s writing in this volume is consistently strong, but the visual execution is where opinions divide. We’ll break both elements down honestly.
The Writing: Introspection as Strength
Zdarsky treats Matt Murdock as a fully realized person, not a vehicle for plot. The dialogue is sharp, the internal monologue is restrained — used precisely when it adds something, never as a crutch.
💡 Readers who appreciated Frank Miller’s psychological approach to Daredevil in Born Again (1986, Marvel) will find Zdarsky’s voice familiar in the best possible way.
The Artwork: Praise With Caveats
The art in this volume has drawn mixed responses from readers. Some panels are genuinely striking — dynamic layouts, expressive faces, a strong sense of urban atmosphere.
⚠️ However, compared to the visual consistency of something like Immortal Hulk Vol. 2 (also Marvel, 2019), some readers have noted that the linework here feels uneven across different sections of the book.
“The artwork isn’t uniformly polished — but when it lands, it lands hard. The quieter scenes carry more visual weight than any splash page.”
Storytelling Over Spectacle
What Zdarsky does exceptionally well is prioritize emotional truth over visual spectacle. The Matt Murdock comics tradition has always leaned into moral ambiguity, and this volume honors that legacy.
📖 For a Daredevil reading order context: this volume fits directly after Zdarsky’s Vol. 1 and sets up the escalating tension of Vol. 3 — making it a structural bridge that earns its place in the run.
Reader response has been strong across the board — and the numbers back that up. Let’s look at what real buyers have said.
Real-World Reception and What Readers Are Saying
With 740 global ratings and a 4.7 out of 5 score, this Daredevil paperback sits among the most consistently praised entries in recent Marvel Comics output. The numbers alone tell a story — but the individual responses tell a better one.
What Readers Consistently Praise
The phrase “brilliant continuation” appears across multiple reviews. Readers highlight how the volume handles Matt’s psychological state with unusual care for a mainstream superhero title.
Many describe it as “one of the best comic stories” they’ve read in the Zdarsky Daredevil run — and several note that the “riveting character moments” more than compensate for the reduced action count.
Where Criticism Lands
The two most common critiques are consistent: some readers find the artwork “not very pretty” in certain sections, and others note that the reduced action makes this “a very introspective volume.”
⚠️ If you’re buying this expecting a fight-heavy arc, the honest answer is: you’ll be disappointed. This is a psychological drama wearing a superhero costume.
“In practice, reading this volume feels less like watching a hero fight and more like watching a person break — and slowly decide what to do about it.”
The 112-Page Question
A handful of buyers flagged the page count as a concern for the price point. At ~$15.99 for 112 pages, the value calculation depends entirely on how much you weight story density over raw page count.
For this price point, it delivers — but only if character-driven storytelling is what you’re after.
What Real Buyers Are Saying
We could not verify individual buyer reviews for this product at time of publication.
Now that we’ve heard from the broader audience, let’s put this volume directly against its most natural competitor on the shelf.
Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol. 2 vs Immortal Hulk Vol. 2 — Which One Wins?
Both of these Marvel Comics paperbacks represent the best of what modern superhero storytelling can do — but they do it in completely different ways. Understanding that difference is key to knowing which one belongs in your collection first.
Tone and Approach
Daredevil Vol. 2 is quiet, internal, and morally complex. Immortal Hulk Vol. 2 (Al Ewing, Joe Bennett, 2019) is visceral, horror-soaked, and relentlessly forward-moving.
One asks you to sit with a man’s doubt. The other dares you to look away from something genuinely disturbing. Both approaches work — but they serve different moods.
Art Consistency
This is where Immortal Hulk Vol. 2 has a measurable edge. Joe Bennett’s linework in that volume is praised almost universally for its consistency and atmosphere.
The Zdarsky Daredevil art, as noted, has its high points — but it doesn’t maintain the same visual standard from cover to cover.
Character Depth
💡 For readers invested in Matt Murdock comics specifically, there’s no contest: Zdarsky’s Volume 2 offers a deeper, more sustained examination of a single character’s psychology than almost anything else on the Marvel shelf right now.
“If you want horror and momentum, Immortal Hulk wins. If you want to understand a man in crisis — chapter by chapter — Daredevil Vol. 2 is the better choice.”
Both are worth owning. But if you’re building a Daredevil reading order, this volume is non-negotiable.
Pros and Cons — Mentioning Real User Feedback
Here’s an honest breakdown based on the volume’s strengths and the most consistent feedback from readers.
✅ Zdarsky’s writing is consistently described as “a brilliant continuation” — the dialogue and internal logic are among the sharpest in recent Marvel Comics output.
✅ The deep exploration of Matt Murdock’s psychology — his “inner turmoils and personal demons” — gives this volume a weight that most superhero titles don’t attempt.
✅ For the ~$15.99 price point, the narrative density offers real value for the comic book collector who prioritizes story quality over page count.
⚠️ Art inconsistency is a real issue — some sections of the book feel visually uneven compared to the standard set by comparable Marvel paperbacks.
⚠️ This is explicitly a low-action volume. Readers expecting fight-heavy content will find it “a very introspective volume with less action for Matt Murdock.”
⚠️ At 112 pages, some buyers consider the page count short relative to the price — a legitimate concern for readers prioritizing volume over depth.
The story holds up — but does the price match the experience? Let’s break it down.
Collects Daredevil (2018) #6-10. The Man Without Fear is missing! Daredevil has disappeared from Hell’s Kitchen – and in his absence, the real devils are starting to come out to play. Detective Cole North may think he’s stopped Daredevil, but there are bigger problems coming his way! Meanwhile, Matt Murdock has emerged from his recent ordeals a changed man – but has he changed for better or worse? As he faces up to the choices he has made, Matt grapples with who he is and who he wants to be. Can he truly live a life without the suit?
Price and Where to Buy at the Best Price
Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol. 2: No Devils, Only God carries a suggested retail price of approximately $15.99. Actual prices vary depending on the retailer and current promotions.
For the best deals, we recommend checking:
- Amazon — typically the most competitive pricing on Marvel paperbacks, with Prime shipping available
- Things From Another World (TFAW) — a strong alternative for comic book collector buyers who want reliable condition and occasional discounts
- Your local comic shop — worth checking for availability, especially if you want to support independent retailers
💡 If you’re building a complete Zdarsky Daredevil run, buying Volumes 1 through 3 together often brings the per-volume cost down on Amazon.
Check the latest price on Amazon or your local comic shop here.
Now that we’ve covered every angle, here’s our final call.
✅ Buy it if: You’re a fan of psychological superhero drama, follow the Daredevil reading order, or want to understand why Zdarsky’s run is considered one of the best in modern Marvel Comics history.
❌ Skip it if: You’re primarily looking for action-heavy storytelling or find the 112-page format too short for the price point.
Final Verdict — Is It Worth It?
Yes. Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol. 2 earns its place in any serious Matt Murdock comics collection — the introspective depth, tight pacing, and psychological honesty of Zdarsky’s writing outweigh the inconsistent artwork and compact page count by a significant margin.
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Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol. 2: No Devils, Only God Paperback
Curious to dive deeper into Matt Murdock’s journey and the compelling story discussed in our review? You can grab your own copy of this critically acclaimed volume and see why readers love it.
Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol. 2 offers a profound look into Matt Murdock’s soul, cementing its place as a must-read. Despite some art critiques, the narrative brilliance shines through. Have you read it? Share your thoughts on this pivotal volume in the comments below!
FAQ — Common Questions About Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol 2
We have answered the most common questions we receive about this specific Daredevil collection.
What should we read before starting Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil Vol 2?
We recommend starting with Daredevil Vol. 1: Know Fear to understand the events leading up to Matt Murdock’s identity crisis. This volume directly follows the emotional and physical aftermath of the first five issues of Zdarsky’s run.
Is this Daredevil volume appropriate for readers who are new to the character?
While we find it accessible due to the strong character work, we suggest having a basic understanding of Matt Murdock’s history. It is a deeply introspective story that rewards long-time fans, though we believe the writing is clear enough for most newcomers to follow.
How does this paperback edition compare to the oversized hardcover collections?
We feel this paperback is excellent for portability and budget, but the oversized hardcovers offer superior paper quality and larger artwork. If we are looking for the definitive library experience, the hardcovers collecting multiple volumes are usually our preferred choice.
Is this edition worth getting if we already own the single comic issues?
We think it is a great addition if we want the convenience of having the entire story arc in one cohesive book. However, if we already own Daredevil (2019) #6-10, this volume does not offer significant new bonus content beyond the collected format.
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