Daredevil: Born Again's New Trailer Reveals a Shocking Alliance: Daredevil and Kingpin Unite Against Muse
A new trailer for Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again, premiering March 4th on Disney+, reveals a surprising twist: Daredevil and Kingpin, longtime adversaries, are apparently teaming up. This collaboration is seemingly driven by a common enemy: the artistically-inclined serial killer, Muse. But who is this villain, and what makes him a threat capable of uniting such bitter rivals?
The Twisted Art of 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 chillingly unique antagonist. He views murder as the ultimate artistic expression, creating gruesome masterpieces from the bodies of his victims. His first appearance involved a mural painted with the blood of one hundred missing persons. This macabre artistry extends to his superhuman abilities, which include enhanced strength, speed, and a disturbing power to disrupt Daredevil's radar sense, making him an exceptionally dangerous foe.
Muse's initial conflict with Daredevil and Blindspot escalates to a brutal confrontation resulting in Blindspot's eye injury. Even after his capture and self-inflicted injury (breaking his own fingers to prevent further "artistic creation"), Muse escapes and continues his bloody spree, targeting vigilantes and leaving twisted tributes to figures like the Punisher. His ultimate demise in Daredevil #600 (2018) involved suicide by fire, a dramatic end to his story – though his return in the MCU is hardly surprising.
Muse's MCU Debut 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" streaming down his face. Scenes depict him clashing with Daredevil, suggesting a significant role in the series.
This adaptation of Daredevil: Born Again draws inspiration from contemporary comics, diverging from the 1986 Frank Miller storyline. While the original focused on Fisk's discovery of Daredevil's identity, the show seems to be charting a different course, especially considering Fisk's prior knowledge of Daredevil's secret identity within the MCU.
The trailer hints at a forced alliance between Daredevil and Fisk, shown meeting in a diner. The implication is a new threat, powerful enough to compel these sworn enemies to cooperate.
The Unlikely Alliance: Why Daredevil and Kingpin Team Up
Could Muse be the catalyst for this unlikely alliance? The series appears to be heading towards a narrative inspired by the Soule and Zdarsky Daredevil comics. With Fisk’s mayoral election (as seen in Echo's post-credits scene), his anti-vigilante platform places him in direct conflict with Muse, whose actions directly contradict Fisk's agenda.
Daredevil's desire to apprehend a ruthless killer aligns with Fisk's need to eliminate a threat to his authority. This creates a scenario where Daredevil is forced into an uneasy alliance with Fisk, despite the latter's crusade against heroes like himself. The series will likely also feature other vigilantes like the Punisher and White Tiger, caught in the crossfire of Fisk's campaign.
Ultimately, Daredevil: Born Again will likely explore the enduring Daredevil-Fisk rivalry, but Muse emerges as the immediate and potentially most formidable threat yet. His powers and bloodlust make him a formidable opponent, necessitating Daredevil's collaboration with the unlikely ally, 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.
