True Believers: The Criminally Insane Purple Man #1
Stan Lee (w), Joe Orlando (a)
Marvel Comics

Liz says: How did the Purple Man get his powers of persuasion? True Believers: The Criminally Insane Purple Man #1 reprints the first appearance of Zebediah Kilgrave in Daredevil #4 (1964). This early issue of Daredevil features Matt in the yellow costume (it changes by #7) and the first appearance of a character who has recently been ranked one of Marvel’s best villains. In his first appearance, Kilgrave uses his power to rob a bank, hypnotize Karen Page and recruit an army of body-builders from the local gym as his minions. We also find out his origin story as a spy who was accidentally doused with an experimental nerve-gas that turned his skin purple and gave him his power. This issue was a lot of fun – it’s always interesting to see the first glimpse of an enduring character. The ‘True Believers: Criminally Insane’ series features first appearances of villains such as Green Goblin, Bullseye, the Masters of Evil and many more – all well worth a read!