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 development: Daredevil and Kingpin, longtime adversaries, appear to be collaborating. This unexpected partnership stems from a common threat: the artistically-inclined serial killer, Muse.
Who is Muse?
Muse, a relatively recent addition to Daredevil's villain roster, debuted in 2016's Daredevil #11. Created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney, and confirmed by Soule himself to be featured in the Daredevil: Born Again footage, Muse is a chilling antagonist. He views murder as a supreme art form, creating macabre masterpieces using the bodies of his victims. His first appearance showcased a mural painted with the blood of a hundred missing persons. Subsequent acts involved arranging the corpses of Inhumans into artistic poses.
Muse's unique threat to Daredevil lies in his ability to disrupt Matt Murdock's radar sense, effectively neutralizing his heightened perception. Combined with superhuman strength and speed, Muse proves a formidable foe.
His conflict with Daredevil and Blindspot escalates when he blinds Blindspot, leading to a final confrontation where, after being apprehended, he self-mutilates to prevent further artistic creations. Despite his apparent demise in Daredevil #600, his return in Daredevil: Born Again is a testament to the enduring nature of Marvel villains.
Muse in Daredevil: Born Again
The D23 and subsequent trailers showcase Muse's presence in the series, sporting a costume mirroring his comic book counterpart: a white mask and bodysuit adorned with red, blood-like streaks. His appearance in several scenes, including a fight with Daredevil, signals a departure from the original Born Again storyline, which focuses on Fisk's discovery of Daredevil's identity.
Instead, Daredevil: Born Again presents a shifting dynamic, forcing Daredevil and Fisk into an uneasy alliance. A diner scene depicts Matt threatening Fisk, prompting Fisk's intriguing response: "Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?" This suggests a threat significant enough to override their deep-seated animosity.
Could Muse be this unifying threat? The series seems to draw inspiration from more recent Daredevil comics, particularly those by Soule and Chip Zdarsky. With Fisk elected mayor (as hinted in Echo's post-credits scene), his anti-vigilante stance directly clashes with Muse's actions. Muse's glorification of vigilantes like the Punisher further fuels this conflict, creating a scenario where Daredevil and Fisk find common ground in eliminating this dangerous criminal.
The series will also feature other vigilantes, such as the Punisher and White Tiger, likely caught in the crossfire of Fisk's crackdown. Muse's artwork, celebrating these figures, will likely further complicate the situation.
While the Daredevil-Fisk rivalry remains central, Muse emerges as the immediate danger. His powers and relentless bloodlust make him arguably Daredevil's most challenging opponent yet, necessitating an unlikely alliance with the newly elected Mayor Fisk.
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