Daredevil Returns: New Foe for Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk Revealed

Daredevil: Born Again's New Trailer Hints at an Unlikely Alliance

A new trailer for Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again, premiering March 4th on Disney+, reveals a surprising collaboration: Daredevil and Kingpin are teaming up. This unexpected alliance, foreshadowed in the D23 trailer, is likely fueled by a common enemy: the artistically-inclined serial killer, Muse.

Who is Muse?

Muse, a relatively recent addition to Daredevil's rogue's gallery (created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney in 2016's Daredevil #11), is a chilling villain. He views murder as a high art form, creating gruesome masterpieces using the blood and bodies of his victims. His methods are particularly disturbing to Daredevil; Muse's unique physiology disrupts Matt Murdock's radar sense, making him an exceptionally dangerous foe. Possessing superhuman strength and speed, Muse is a formidable opponent.

Muse's initial conflict with Daredevil and Blindspot escalates to a brutal climax, resulting in Blindspot's eye injuries. Even after his capture and self-inflicted injury, Muse escapes and continues his bloody spree, targeting vigilantes and creating twisted tributes. His final confrontation ends with suicide, but given the nature of the Marvel Universe, his return is inevitable.

Muse in Daredevil: Born Again

The D23 and subsequent trailers confirm Muse's appearance in Daredevil: Born Again, sporting a costume strikingly similar to his comic book counterpart – a white mask and bodysuit with red "tears." His presence suggests the series draws inspiration from contemporary Daredevil comics, rather than solely relying on the 1986 Born Again storyline. While the original comic focused on Fisk's discovery of Daredevil's identity, the show seems to take a different path, especially considering Fisk's prior knowledge of Daredevil's secret in the MCU.

The series showcases a potential alliance between Daredevil and Fisk, depicted in a diner scene where Matt issues a threat, prompting Fisk's intriguing response: "Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?" This suggests a significant threat forcing their collaboration.

Could Muse be that threat? The show's narrative seems to align with the tone of Soule and Zdarsky's Daredevil comics. With Fisk's mayoral ambitions (as seen in Echo's post-credits scene) and his anti-vigilante platform, Muse, a violent killer who glorifies figures like the Punisher, becomes a perfect antagonist. Both Daredevil and Fisk have reasons to eliminate him: Daredevil seeks justice, while Fisk aims to maintain order and suppress threats to his authority. This shared objective compels an uneasy alliance.

The series will also feature other vigilantes like the Punisher and White Tiger, likely caught in the crossfire of Fisk's crusade. Muse's actions, glorifying these figures, further fuel public fear and strengthen Fisk's anti-vigilante stance.

While the Daredevil-Fisk rivalry remains central, Muse emerges as the immediate and potentially most challenging threat. His powers and brutality make him a formidable opponent, necessitating Daredevil's unlikely partnership with Mayor Fisk.

Note: This article was originally published on 8/10/2024 and updated on 1/15/2025 with the latest info about Daredevil: Born Again.