Cover: Scott McDaniel & Chris Ivy

Daredevil #307

Aug 1992 · Marvel · 1.25 USD; 1.50 CAD; 0.85 GBP

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“Dead Man's Hand Part 1: Blind Openers”

About this Issue

Daredevil #307 is the opening chapter of 'Dead Man's Hand,' a nine-part crossover that threaded through Daredevil, Nomad (Vol. 2), and Punisher War Journal across the summer and fall of 1992 — one of the earliest street-level, three-title Marvel crossovers of the modern era. The event used the narrative fallout of Kingpin's downfall in Daredevil #300 as its engine, bringing virtually every significant Marvel crime organization into a single Las Vegas summit to fight over Wilson Fisk's abandoned empire. That premise gave D.G. Chichester a rare opportunity to show the systemic consequences of dismantling a criminal power structure rather than simply defeating a villain, which was unusually macro-level storytelling for the period. It also marks Scott McDaniel's third issue as the series' regular penciller, beginning the stylistic shift toward the exaggerated, kinetic linework that would define Chichester's Daredevil run through the mid-1990s.

In "Dead Man's Hand Part 1: Blind Openers," Matt and Foggy head to Vegas on a high-stakes legal mission, only to find themselves caught in a deadly game of power and betrayal. As the Maggia's top figures gather to carve up the remnants of the Kingpin's empire, shadows from the past—like Kingpin's quiet subway ride through New York—hint at a storm brewing beneath the surface. Written by D. G. Chichester and brought to life by Scott McDaniel’s sharp pencils and Max Scheele’s vivid colors, this 1992 issue marks a pivotal moment in Daredevil’s world, with a cover by Scott McDaniel and Chris Ivy that captures the tension perfectly.

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writer D. G. Chichester · artist Scott McDaniel · inker Bud LaRosa · colorist Max Scheele · letterer Rick Parker · cover Scott McDaniel, Chris Ivy

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History

Writer D.G. Chichester had been at the Daredevil helm since 1991, continuing directly from Ann Nocenti's run, and 'Dead Man's Hand' was conceived as a coordinated event with writers Fabian Nicieza (Nomad) and Chuck Dixon (Punisher War Journal), each handling their own chapters while collectively advancing a shared plot. Scott McDaniel — fresh from penciling the 'Hero Killers' arc in the 1992 Spider-Man annuals — came aboard Daredevil beginning with issue #305, and #307 was only his third issue, making the crossover an early showcase for his style. The issue was edited by Ralph Macchio with Tom DeFalco as editor-in-chief, and was on sale June 2, 1992, carrying an August 1992 cover date.

Trivia · 8 facts

Daredevil #307 is Part 1 ('Blind Openers') of the nine-chapter 'Dead Man's Hand' crossover, which ran through Daredevil #307–309, Nomad (Vol. 2) #4–6, and Punisher War Journal #45–47.
The issue was written by D.G. Chichester, penciled by Scott McDaniel, inked by Bud LaRosa, colored by Max Scheele, and lettered by Rick Parker; Ralph Macchio was editor.
The story is set in Las Vegas, where Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson travel to meet with mob clients; after the lawyers decline to represent the criminal parties, Tombstone moves against them, while the Maggia and allied organizations convene to carve up the deposed Kingpin's empire.
The issue features a massive assembly of Marvel crime factions: Tombstone, Silvermane, Hammerhead, Justin Hammer, the Slug, Fenris (Andreas and Andrea von Strucker), Werner von Strucker leading Hydra, the Hand (represented by the Jonin and Tatsu'o), and the Secret Empire — all in a single story.
Nomad (Jack Monroe) and Bucky appear as supporting characters, tying the crossover's street-level hero ensemble together from the first chapter.
Vince Deragon makes his first (and only) appearance in this issue, dying within the same story.
Wilson Fisk/Kingpin appears in a humbling subplot — riding the New York City subway, a stark visual symbol of how far he has fallen from power.
The complete 'Dead Man's Hand' crossover, including this issue, was reprinted in the Daredevil Epic Collection Vol. 16: Dead Man's Hand (2021, Marvel), which collects Daredevil #301–311 and Annual #8 alongside the companion Nomad and Punisher War Journal chapters.

Cast · 20 characters

Full credits

writer D. G. Chichester

artist Scott McDaniel

inker Bud LaRosa

colorist Max Scheele

letterer Rick Parker

cover pencils Scott McDaniel

cover inks Chris Ivy

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

Matt and Foggy go to Vegas to meet with mob bosses who want to hire them. After the lawyers decline the offer, Tombstone moves in for the kill. The major players in the Maggia meet up to divide the fallen Kingpin's empire. Kingpin rides the subway in New York.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).