Disney has unveiled an exciting new trailer for the highly anticipated series, *Daredevil: Born Again*, set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4. The trailer reaffirms a surprising plot twist first hinted at in the D23-exclusive footage: Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will be joining forces to combat a common enemy. This unexpected alliance is likely driven by the emergence of a new villain, the artistically inclined serial killer known as Muse.
Who is Muse, and why does this superhuman murderer have the power to unite sworn enemies like Daredevil and Kingpin? Let's delve into the details of this chilling Marvel villain.
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Who Is Muse?
Muse is a relatively new addition to Daredevil’s roster of adversaries, created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney, and first appearing in 2016’s *Daredevil #11*. Soule has confirmed that Muse is indeed featured in the D23 footage. This villain, reminiscent of characters from the *Hannibal* TV series, is a prolific serial killer who views murder as the ultimate form of artistic expression. His debut saw him creating a mural with the blood of a hundred missing persons, and later, he arranged the corpses of six Inhumans into a macabre composition.
Muse poses a unique threat to Daredevil due to his ability to act as a sensory black hole, disrupting Matt Murdock’s radar sense. Combined with his superhuman strength, speed, and a chilling talent for murder, Muse ranks among Daredevil’s most formidable foes.
Muse quickly becomes a nemesis to Daredevil and his new ally, Blindspot. Their rivalry escalates when Muse brutally blinds Blindspot. Despite being brought to justice by Daredevil, Muse mutilates his own hands to prevent further artistic creation. However, his hands are later healed, and he escapes to continue his deadly spree in New York City. Obsessed with the city's vigilantes, Muse leaves twisted tributes to figures like the Punisher, even as Mayor Wilson Fisk intensifies his crackdown on vigilante activities.
This leads to a fierce rematch with Blindspot, who taps into the power of The Beast to defeat Muse. Feeling overshadowed, Muse ultimately commits suicide by walking into a fire. This dramatic confrontation occurred in 2018’s *Daredevil #600*, and Muse has remained deceased since. Yet, in the Marvel Universe, his return seems inevitable.
Art by Dan Panosian. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Muse in Daredevil: Born Again
The trailers for *Daredevil: Born Again* confirm Muse's appearance in the series, though the actor portraying him remains undisclosed. Muse is seen in a costume closely resembling his comic book version, complete with a white mask and bodysuit adorned with red, bloody tears. The NYCC trailer showcases Muse in action, including a confrontation with Daredevil.
While *Born Again* shares its name with a classic 1986 Daredevil storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, the series draws inspiration from more recent Daredevil comics. The original comic focuses on Wilson Fisk uncovering Daredevil’s secret identity and dismantling Matt Murdock’s life. In contrast, the show, while rooted in the ongoing rivalry between Murdock and Fisk, takes a different path, especially since Fisk already knows Daredevil’s identity in the MCU.
*Born Again* hints at an alliance between Daredevil and Fisk, as seen in a scene where they meet at a diner. Matt warns Fisk of consequences should he overstep, prompting Fisk to question whether the threat comes from Matt Murdock or his darker alter ego. This suggests a new, formidable threat in New York City that compels these adversaries to collaborate.
Art by Dan Mora. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Could Muse be this threat? The MCU's direction seems influenced by the works of Charles Soule and Chip Zdarsky. The post-credits scene in *Echo* indicates Fisk's ambition to become mayor, a goal he appears to have achieved in the latest *Born Again* trailer. Fisk's campaign focuses on eradicating vigilante justice in New York, directly clashing with Muse's glorification of vigilantes like Frank Castle.
Muse could be the catalyst that unites Daredevil and Mayor Fisk. Daredevil seeks to stop a ruthless killer, while Fisk aims to eliminate a threat to his authority. This uneasy alliance is necessary for Daredevil, even if it means working with a man determined to end vigilantism.
*Born Again* will also feature other vigilantes like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, who may find themselves targeted by Fisk’s anti-vigilante task force. Meanwhile, Muse's twisted art could celebrate these figures, adding complexity to the narrative.
While the series will undoubtedly explore the intense rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk, Muse emerges as the immediate and pressing danger to Matt Murdock’s world. With his unique powers and insatiable bloodlust, Muse may prove to be Daredevil's toughest challenge yet. Fortunately, he has an unlikely ally in Mayor Fisk.
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Note: this article was originally published on 8/10/2024 and updated on 1/15/2025 with the latest information about Daredevil: Born Again.
