The Life of Foggy Nelson, Daredevil's Best Friend and Legal Partner

Between protecting Hell's Kitchen as Daredevil and defending people in court as a lawyer, Matt Murdock does not lead an easy life. Through it all, however, he’s always found a friend in Franklin "Foggy" Nelson. Matt and Foggy started out as college roommates and their bond kept them united through Matt’s struggles as Daredevil and Foggy’s battles in his personal and professional lives.

Throughout his career as a lawyer and a district attorney, Foggy worked with S.H.I.E.L.D., faked his death multiple times, and almost caused the collapse of human civilization. But through it all, Foggy remained Matt’s most faithful friend and trusted partner.

Let’s take look back at the many lives and deaths of Foggy Nelson and examine the mark he left on the Marvel Universe.

WHO WAS FOGGY NELSON?

Foggy Nelson made his Marvel Universe debut alongside Matt Murdock in DAREDEVIL (1964) #1 by Stan Lee and Bill Everett. Raised in a supportive household with his father and stepmother, Foggy excelled in his studies at college and law school, where he met and befriended Matt. While the pair lived together, Foggy earned his nickname because of his loud snoring, which Matt claimed sounded like a "human foghorn."

During his time at law school, Foggy witnessed a fight between the Kingpin and his associate, Kruel, at a diner. Although Kingpin drugged Foggy and the other diners to forget the incident, the brutal showdown subconsciously pushed Foggy to dedicate himself to seeking justice.

With help from the Nelson family, Foggy and Matt opened their own law firm, Nelson and Murdock. The young lawyers hired Karen Page to be their secretary. Despite their inexperience, Nelson and Murdock took on several major clients like the Fantastic Four, Namor, and the Owl (Leland Owlsley). Although Foggy did not yet know Matt's secret identity, a battle between Daredevil and the Fellowship of Fear left him hospitalized.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Following his early legal victories, Foggy Nelson ran for the New York City District Attorney’s office. He won the election after a lengthy campaign and became D.A. in DAREDEVIL (1964) #48. Foggy subsequently made Matt his assistant District Attorney.

As the District Attorney, Foggy succeeded enough that he considered running for governor too. However, his ambitions were dashed by MK-9, an android from a future where his governorship played a crucial role in ending all life on Earth.

During the remainder of his term as District Attorney, Foggy was manipulated into unsuccessfully prosecuting Black Widow for murder. He also briefly joined S.H.I.E.L.D. as a member of its board of directors. However, Foggy lost his reelection campaign to Blake Tower in DAREDEVIL (1964) #130.

When Spider-Man and Karen both briefly suspected Foggy to be Daredevil, he impersonated the Man Without Fear and faced Gladiator (Melvin Potter) before the real Daredevil ultimately saved him.

Around this time, he also ran into his old girlfriend, Debbie Harris. The pair eventually began dating again, even though she briefly spent some time in jail for her role in a plot to assassinate the mayor.

HOW FOGGY LEARNED DAREDEVIL'S SECRET

Once out of office, Foggy Nelson continued his legal career with Matt Murdock. He married Debbie and opened Storefront Legal Services to advise low-income clients. However, that business failed, leading the lawyers to reopen the Nelson and Murdock private practice.

Kingpin hired a brainwashed Elektra to kill Foggy, but he stopped the assassin when he recognized her as Matt's old college girlfriend. While she spared Foggy’s life, Bullseye killed Elektra in retaliation in DAREDEVIL (1964) #181 by Frank Miller.

As Daredevil faced increasingly devastating attacks from Kingpin and other foes, Foggy's relationship with Debbie soured and ultimately ended in divorce. Foggy briefly worked for a company owned by Wilson Fisk and Matt faked his death to preserve Daredevil's secret identity.  

When Kruel resurfaced and tried to kill Foggy, Daredevil returned to save him. Matt went through a severe identity crisis which resulted in Foggy learning that he was the Man Without Fear in DAREDEVIL (1964) #347 by J.M DeMatteis and Ron Wagner. Although he was initially upset, Foggy ultimately stood by his friend and legal partner.

FOGGY AND ROSALIND SHARPE

Rosalind Sharpe approached Foggy as he helped Matt get his legal career back on track in DAREDEVIL (1964) #353. As Foggy's biological mother, Rosalind left her young family to continue pursuing a successful career as a lawyer. Despite the ups and downs in their relationship, Foggy and Rosalind made an effective legal team, successfully dealing with several high-profile cases. 

When a terminally ill Mysterio wanted to end his criminal career by tearing Daredevil's life apart, Foggy got caught in the crossfire. Mysterio manipulated Foggy into having an affair with an actress named Lydia McKenzie before killing her and framing Foggy for the crime. Although the court ultimately found Foggy innocent, Rosalind still fired him from her law firm.

As part of his ploy to ruin Daredevil's life, Mysterio hired Bullseye. The infamous marksman killed Karen Page in a brutal showdown with Daredevil at Sister Maggie's church. In the aftermath of their friend’s death, Foggy and Matt reopened Nelson and Murdock. They faced Rosalind in court, who then represented the Kingpin.

FOGGY NELSON'S DEATH 

After the Daily Globe newspaper revealed Daredevil's secret identity, Foggy stood by Matt as he entered a particularly tough period. Matt won his lawsuit against the paper, but still ended up in prison due to Kingpin's legal machinations.

To help Matt fight the charges, Foggy began working closely with lawyer Becky Blake and private investigator Dakota North. However, Foggy was seemingly stabbed to death upon visiting Matt in prison in DAREDEVIL (1998) #82 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark.

While Foggy's friends mourned him, Vanessa Fisk actually placed him in witness protection as part of her plans to get revenge on Daredevil and Kingpin.  

DAREDEVIL OUT

When Foggy eventually returned to Matt’s life, he helped his friend clear his name. However, once he got out of prison, Matt represented Kingpin in court, suffered a psychological attack from Mister Fear, and teamed up with Wilson Fisk again to take down the Hand.

Following Matt's increasingly irrational decisions, Foggy fired his old friend, who subsequently became the leader of the Hand and briefly took control over Hell’s Kitchen. As Matt stepped away from the city to restore his mind, Foggy asked Black Panther if he would act as Hell Kitchen’s temporary protector. 

FOGGY'S BATTLE WITH CANCER

Foggy's greatest battle, however, still lied ahead. After reuniting with a healthier Matt and restarting their legal business, Foggy was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a type of cancer.

Around this time, Matt revealed his secret identity as Daredevil to the world, which put Foggy's life in danger. With a new target on their law firm's back, Leap-Frog attacked Nelson and Murdock. Daredevil used an explosion to fake Foggy's death and protect his friend in DAREDEVIL (2014) #5 by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee.

Once Matt's license to practice law in New York was revoked, he moved back to his old home in San Francisco. Foggy followed his best friend over to the West Coast. As he quietly underwent treatment, Foggy also began ghostwriting Matt’s autobiography. When a psychic vigilante called the broadcasted footage from Daredevil's life, Foggy’s status was revealed to the world as his health improved.

Meanwhile, the Purple Children — the mind-controlling kids of Zebediah Killgrave — used their powers to restore Daredevil's secret identity. Daredevil immediately sought out Foggy and revealed his secret identity once more to his old friend in DAREDEVIL (2015) #20 by Charles Soule and Ron Garney. While Foggy was one of the only people who knew Matt's secret identity, the erasure of his memories briefly drove a wedge between the two friends.  

FOGGY NELSON'S RETURN TO PUBLIC LIFE

After some time apart, Foggy and Matt reunited as legal partners and friends before making an unlikely return to politics. Together, they tried to establish a legal precedent for vigilantes to testify without revealing their secret identities.

Shortly after, Wilson Fisk was elected Mayor of New York City and asked Matt to serve as his deputy mayor. However, when injury befell the former Kingpin, Matt effectively became acting mayor and asked Foggy to serve as his chief of staff in DAREDEVIL (2015) #602.

During the period, Foggy played a crucial role in helping his old friend balance his duties as mayor and as Daredevil. However, Foggy and Matt both resigned when Mayor Fisk returned to office.

When Daredevil and Elektra reformed an ancient group called the Fist, Foggy was killed and briefly resurrected as a spy for their rivals, the Hand. Daredevil traveled to the afterlife and brought Foggy back to life in DAREDEVIL (2022) #13 by Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto. With a new lease on life, Foggy started Nelson & North Legal Services with former detective Cole North.

While Daredevil has made plenty of allies throughout his career, Foggy remains his most steadfast friend. With a sharp mind and a caring heart, Foggy Nelson shines bright in a cold and brutal world.    

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