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 confirms a surprising twist that was hinted at in the previous D23-exclusive footage: Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will be joining forces to combat a common enemy. This intriguing development raises the question of what could possibly unite these long-standing adversaries. It seems the answer lies with a new villain introduced in both trailers: the chilling, artistically inclined serial killer known as Muse.
Who is Muse, and why does this superhuman murderer have the power to bring even the fiercest of rivals like Daredevil and Kingpin to work together? Here’s a deep dive into the twisted world of this Marvel villain.
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Who Is Muse?
Muse is a relatively new addition to Daredevil’s formidable rogues gallery, created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney, and first appearing in 2016's *Daredevil #11*. Charles Soule himself confirmed Muse's presence in the D23 footage, marking his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Muse is a villain reminiscent of the *Hannibal* TV series, a prolific serial killer who views murder as the ultimate form of artistic expression. His gruesome debut involved creating a mural with the blood of a hundred missing persons, and he later arranged the corpses of six Inhumans into a macabre composition.
What makes Muse particularly dangerous for Daredevil is his ability to act as a sensory black hole, disrupting Matt Murdock’s radar sense. Coupled with his superhuman strength, speed, and a penchant for murder, Muse stands out as one of Daredevil’s deadliest foes.
Muse quickly becomes a sworn enemy of Daredevil and his sidekick, Blindspot. Their rivalry escalates when Muse brutally blinds Blindspot. Eventually, Daredevil apprehends Muse, but the villain breaks his own fingers to prevent himself from creating more art. However, after his hands are healed, Muse escapes and continues his deadly rampage through New York City. Obsessed with the city’s vigilantes, Muse leaves twisted tributes to figures like the Punisher, even as Wilson Fisk, now mayor, cracks down on vigilante activity.
This leads to a fierce rematch between Muse and Blindspot, where the latter harnesses the power of The Beast to defeat Muse. Feeling overshadowed, Muse tragically ends his life by walking into a fire. This final confrontation occurred in 2018’s *Daredevil #600*, and Muse has remained deceased since then. However, in the ever-revolving world of Marvel, it’s only a matter of time before this sinister artist makes a return.
Muse in Daredevil: Born Again
The footage from D23 and subsequent trailers for *Daredevil: Born Again* confirm Muse’s inclusion in the series, though the actor playing him remains undisclosed. In the teaser reel, Muse sports a costume mirroring his comic book counterpart, complete with a white mask and bodysuit adorned with red, bloody tears. He is seen engaging in a battle with Daredevil in the NYCC trailer, signaling his pivotal role in the series.
While *Born Again* shares its name with the iconic 1986 Daredevil storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, it draws significant inspiration from more recent Daredevil comics. The original comic focuses on Wilson Fisk uncovering Daredevil’s secret identity and systematically destroying Matt Murdock’s life. In contrast, the series, while rooted in the ongoing rivalry between Murdock and Fisk, appears to be taking a different narrative path, given that Fisk has already known Daredevil’s identity for some time in the MCU.
A scene from the trailer shows Daredevil and Fisk meeting in a diner, hinting at an alliance. Matt warns Fisk of consequences if he oversteps, to which Fisk responds, “Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?” This suggests a significant new threat in New York City compelling these arch-nemeses to collaborate.
Muse appears to be that threat. Drawing parallels with Soule and Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil comics, and considering the post-credits scene in *Echo*, Fisk is shown to be aiming for the mayor's office. The latest trailer indicates he has succeeded, using his charisma and resources to sway New Yorkers. Fisk's campaign focuses on eradicating vigilantism, directly opposing Muse, who not only embodies violence but glorifies vigilantes like Frank Castle through his deadly art.
Thus, Muse could be the common enemy uniting Daredevil and Mayor Fisk. Daredevil aims to stop a ruthless killer, while Fisk seeks to eliminate a threat to his authority. This uneasy alliance is necessary for Daredevil, even if it means working with a man who seeks to criminalize heroes like him.
*Born Again* will also feature other vigilante characters, including Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, who may find themselves caught between Fisk’s anti-vigilante crusade and Muse’s twisted admiration. Fisk’s task force will likely target these vigilantes, while Muse’s art glorifies their actions, creating a complex web of conflict.
While the series will undoubtedly explore the intense rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk, Muse emerges as an immediate and pressing threat to Matt Murdock’s world. With his unique powers and insatiable bloodlust, Muse could be Daredevil’s most formidable adversary yet. Fortunately, he might have 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.*
