Forty years ago, comics hit a turning point.

Mainstream and indie publishers alike released a wave of bold, groundbreaking stories that reshaped the medium. This is the first installment in our series, “1986: A Landmark Year in Comics,” and we’re kicking things off with Daredevil: Born Again by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli.

On the episode, we dig into the story’s brutal premise, as the Kingpin systematically dismantles Matt Murdock’s life, pushing him to his absolute lowest point before the long climb back.

We also talk about how Miller only agreed to return to Daredevil after his iconic run if Mazzucchelli would pencil the story—and how Born Again helped set the stage for Mazzucchelli’s breakout work just a year later on Batman: Year One.

Along the way, we touch on IDW Publishing’s Artist Edition of Born Again and how Miller’s Daredevil work influenced a generation of writers—including Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, and Chip Zdarsky—who would go on to craft their own celebrated runs with the character.

For every hero soaring overhead, there’s a creator behind the scenes who deserves their shine.

This Black History Month, we’re giving flowers to the Black writers and artists who helped define comics as we know it. From Matt Baker and Billy Graham, to Denys Cowan and Christopher Priest, to Stephanie Williams and Khary Randolph, we follow a creative throughline across generations. We also highlight pioneering cartoonists like Jay Jackson and Jackie Ormes—the first African American woman cartoonist.

We talk about the first Black creators we encountered as readers—and what that meant. Did they change the way we saw the page? Or were they just doing what great creators do: making unforgettable, good-ass comics?

This is Unsung Ink—a celebration of the names and faces behind the comics we love.

Not all art is love at first sight. This week, we spotlight the hard-to-get artists — those acquired tastes who confuse you before they convert you.

In the conversation, we celebrate bold originals like Richard Corben and Tony Salmons, unpacking how their styles challenged comic readers and pushed boundaries within the medium. Beyond the panel borders, we cite rule-breakers Ralph Steadman and Jean-Michel Basquiat, alongside surreal giants Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dalí — artists who proved that being “strange” isn’t a flaw, it’s a feature. We also swap stories about artists who weren't our cup of tea when we were younger, and how second and third looks turned skepticism into respect.

Then we ask the hard stuff: Does great art require effort from its audience? And is it okay if some art leaves people behind?