Growing Up as a Daredevil Fan
Usually, I’m talking about D&D, tabletop RPGs, and tips for Dungeon Masters—but today, I’m diving into something a little more personal. With Daredevil: Born Again on the horizon, I wanted to share what it’s meant to me growing up as a Daredevil fan—and how that fandom has always connected with my love of martial arts, comics, and roleplaying games.
I first fell in love with martial arts when I was seven. Watching The Karate Kid sparked a lifelong interest that shaped who I am—teaching me discipline, focus, and the power of physical storytelling. Around that same time, I found Daredevil. He was different: a hero defined by resilience and determination, not flashy powers. His story—especially in The Man Without Fear—was about moving forward in the face of pain and fear.
And then there was D&D. My first games were in Navy base housing, running 1st Edition with friends. Later, I found 2nd Edition and started DMing my own games. In a way, Daredevil’s journey mirrored my own growing up—building strength and creativity out of challenges and setbacks.
What struck me most was how these passions all connected. They taught me about storytelling, identity, and finding my voice. Back then, none of this was mainstream. Comics were niche, martial arts weren’t cool, and D&D was misunderstood. But they were always part of me—threads that carried through to today.
Even among comic fans, Daredevil felt like a hidden gem. I remember the excitement of seeing him finally get his due on Netflix—coinciding with my first ever convention trip, where I met Lee Weeks, a legendary Daredevil artist. His signed poster still hangs on my wall.
Now, years later, Daredevil: Born Again is coming, and it feels like coming full circle. The things that shaped me—comics, martial arts, D&D—are everywhere, woven into our culture. But what’s always stuck with me about Daredevil is that passion is never weakness. It’s what makes you, you.
So whether you’re a fan of superheroes, martial arts, tabletop games, or something else entirely—don’t be afraid to lean into it. These passions make us who we are.
Don’t forget to check out the video for more on the topic.
Cheers,
Brian