Disney has unveiled a captivating new trailer for *Daredevil: Born Again*, set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4. This latest footage reinforces what was previously hinted at in the D23-exclusive trailer: Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will be joining forces to combat a common adversary. This intriguing development raises the question: What could possibly unite these long-standing foes? The answer may lie in the introduction of a new, chilling villain known as Muse, an artistically inclined serial killer teased in both trailers.
Who is Muse, and why does this superhuman murderer have the power to compel even bitter rivals like Daredevil and Kingpin to collaborate? Here’s an in-depth look at this sinister Marvel villain.
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Who Is Muse?
Muse is a relatively new addition to Daredevil's rogues gallery, introduced by Charles Soule and Ron Garney in 2016's *Daredevil #11*. Soule has confirmed that Muse makes an appearance in the D23 footage. This villain could seamlessly fit into a series like *Hannibal* due to his macabre approach to art. Muse is a prolific serial killer who views murder as the ultimate form of artistic expression. His first act involved painting a mural with the blood of a hundred missing persons, followed by arranging the corpses of six Inhumans into a grotesque composition.
Muse poses a unique threat to Daredevil because his body acts as a sensory black hole, disrupting Matt Murdock's radar sense. Coupled with his superhuman strength and speed, Muse is one of Daredevil's most formidable foes. He quickly becomes an enemy to Daredevil and his sidekick, Blindspot, with their rivalry reaching new heights when Muse gouges out Blindspot’s eyes. After Daredevil captures him, Muse breaks his own fingers to prevent himself from creating more art. However, his hands are later healed, and he escapes to continue his reign of terror in New York City.
Muse's obsession with the city’s vigilantes leads him to create twisted tributes to figures like the Punisher, even as Mayor Wilson Fisk cracks down on vigilante activity. This culminates in a rematch with Blindspot, who taps into the power of The Beast to defeat Muse. Feeling his story overshadowed, Muse walks into a fire, committing suicide. His last appearance was in 2018’s *Daredevil #600*, but given the nature of the Marvel Universe, his return seems inevitable.
Muse in Daredevil: Born Again
The trailers for *Daredevil: Born Again* confirm Muse's appearance in the upcoming Disney+ series. He is depicted wearing a costume reminiscent of his comic book counterpart - a white mask and bodysuit adorned with red, bloody tears. Despite sharing its name with the iconic 1986 storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, *Born Again* 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 series, while rooted in the ongoing rivalry between Murdock and Fisk, appears to take a different narrative path, particularly since Fisk already knows Daredevil's identity in the MCU.
*Born Again* hints at a potential alliance between Daredevil and Fisk against a new threat. A scene shows the two men meeting in a diner, where Matt warns Fisk of repercussions if he crosses the line. Fisk responds, “Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?” suggesting a significant new menace in New York City that forces these enemies to collaborate.
Art by Dan Mora. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Muse could be the catalyst that brings Daredevil and Mayor Fisk together. With Fisk campaigning on ending vigilantism and Muse directly opposing this agenda with his violent killings and tributes to vigilantes like Frank Castle, Muse becomes a common enemy. Daredevil's goal to rid the streets of a cold-blooded killer aligns with Fisk’s desire to eliminate a threat to his mayoral authority. This forces Daredevil into an uneasy alliance with Fisk, despite the latter's crusade against vigilantes.
*Born Again* is expected to feature other vigilante characters like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, who will be caught in the crossfire of Fisk’s anti-vigilante efforts. Muse’s glorification of these figures through his art adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. While the series will undoubtedly delve into the intense rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk, Muse emerges as the immediate and pressing threat to Matt Murdock's world, challenging him like never before. Fortunately, he might find 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.
