Disney has unveiled a captivating new trailer for "Daredevil: Born Again," set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4. This latest footage echoes a revelation from the D23-exclusive trailer, hinting at an unprecedented alliance between Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, as they unite to combat a common enemy. The trailers tease the introduction of a new villain, the artistically inclined serial killer known as Muse. What could compel these sworn enemies to collaborate? Let's delve into the backstory of Muse and explore why this formidable foe might be the catalyst for their uneasy partnership.
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Who Is Muse?
Muse is a relatively recent addition to Daredevil's rogues gallery, created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney, and first appeared in 2016's Daredevil #11. Soule himself confirmed Muse's presence in the D23 footage. This villain, reminiscent of characters from the "Hannibal" TV series, views murder as the ultimate form of artistic expression. In his debut, Muse created a mural using the blood of a hundred missing persons and later arranged the corpses of six Inhumans into a macabre composition.
Muse poses a unique threat to Daredevil due to his ability to scramble Matt Murdock's radar sense, effectively rendering him blind to Muse's presence. With superhuman strength and speed, Muse is one of Daredevil's most dangerous adversaries. His rivalry with Daredevil and his new sidekick, Blindspot, escalated when Muse gouged out Blindspot’s eyes. Despite being brought to justice, Muse's obsession with his art led him to break his own fingers, only to later heal and escape, resuming his deadly spree.
Muse's fixation on New York's vigilantes led him to create twisted monuments to figures like the Punisher, even as Mayor Wilson Fisk cracked down on vigilante activity. His final confrontation with Blindspot, who tapped into the power of The Beast to defeat him, ended with Muse's suicide by fire in Daredevil #600 in 2018. However, in the Marvel Universe, death is often temporary, and Muse's return seems imminent.
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 counterpart, featuring a white mask and bodysuit with red, bloody tears. The NYCC trailer showcases Muse battling Daredevil, signaling the show's inspiration from contemporary Daredevil comics rather than solely the iconic 1986 "Born Again" storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli.
While the comic focuses on Wilson Fisk's discovery of Daredevil's identity and his subsequent destruction of Matt Murdock's life, the series appears to take a different route. Fisk already knows Daredevil's identity in the MCU, and the show suggests a potential alliance between the two. A scene at a diner shows Matt threatening Fisk, hinting at a new threat severe enough to force them to work together.
Muse could be that threat. With Fisk eyeing the mayoral office, as seen in the "Echo" post-credits scene, and the latest trailer indicating his election, Fisk's campaign against vigilantism in New York City directly conflicts with Muse's glorification of vigilantes like Frank Castle. Muse's violent acts and twisted art could unite Daredevil, who seeks to stop a killer, and Mayor Fisk, who aims to protect his image, in a reluctant alliance.
The series will also feature other vigilante characters like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, likely caught in Fisk's anti-vigilante crusade. Muse's art may celebrate these figures, adding complexity to the narrative. While the rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk remains central, Muse emerges as the immediate and formidable threat to Matt Murdock's world.
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Note: this article was originally published on 8/10/2024 and updated on 1/15/2025 with the latest info about Daredevil: Born Again.
