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The hero’s journey is filled with hardship and heartbreak - and if you’re Peter Parker or Matt Murdock, you can also add 'brooding' to that list. Many of the heroes of the Marvel Universe have suffered many tragedies and triumphs, but few have had as much trauma as Spider-Man and Daredevil. They’ve both had their lives stolen. They’ve both seen their true loves murdered. They’ve both, continually, had to give up their personal happiness for the greater good. But who has suffered more, Spider-Man or Daredevil?

Charles Soule, a writer who has worked on both heroes, says there is a very important distinction. “I think the distinction between them, and this can be debated, is that I think Matt brings more of his problems onto himself,” Soule suggested during an appearance at MegaCon 2026.

“[Daredevil] has that whole Catholic guilt thing going on and in order to feel guilt, which he sort of seems to need to, he’s got to suffer. And if you’re not suffering enough by external forces, you bring them on yourself. I think that he’s messed up. He’s deeply messed up inside and brings a lot of his own problems to himself."

By contrast, Soule continued, “Spider-Man, I think a lot of his problems find him... I think part of it is related to what [current Amazing Spider-Man writer Joe Kelly] was saying before about how he’s so open and giving and willing to give 15 chances to people. We live in the real world, and that kind of personality is going to have problems coming to him. When you see Matt really get into trouble, you’re like, well, okay, man, what do you think was going to happen? And with Peter, I think more like, oh, shit, man, more bad luck’s landing on you. This sucks.”

Maybe this will be the year both heroes will break their bad luck streaks. Or maybe Matt Murdock will just find new ways to screw up his life. Daredevil: Born Again premieres on March 24 and Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters July 31.

Marvel's most reliable superhero has proven he can do a whole lot more than just 'whatever a spider can.' Swing into Spidey's history with Popverse's...

• Best Spider-Man comic books 
• Spider-Man movie watch order
• Spider-Man's actors, ranked
• and the Spider-verse explained!

Just watch out for that radioactive blood.