Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk Face New Foe in Daredevil: Born Again

Disney has released an exciting new trailer for *Daredevil: Born Again*, set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4. This latest footage reaffirms a surprising plot twist first hinted at in the D23-exclusive trailer: Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will team up to face a common enemy. What could possibly unite these long-standing foes? The answer might lie with the intriguing new villain teased in both trailers, the artistically inclined serial killer known as Muse.

Who is Muse, and why does this superhuman murderer have the power to bring together even the most bitter of rivals like Daredevil and Kingpin? Here's a deep dive into this sinister Marvel villain.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

18 Images

Who Is Muse?

Muse is a relatively new addition to Daredevil's roster of adversaries, created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney, and first appearing in 2016's *Daredevil #11*. Soule has confirmed that Muse is indeed featured in the D23 footage.

Muse is a chilling figure reminiscent of characters from the *Hannibal* TV series. He's a prolific serial killer who views murder as the ultimate form of artistic expression. In his debut, Muse creates a mural using the blood of a hundred missing persons and orchestrates a macabre display with the bodies of six Inhumans.

What makes Muse particularly dangerous to Daredevil is his ability to act as a sensory black hole, disrupting Matt Murdock's radar sense. Combined with his superhuman strength, speed, and a twisted talent for murder, Muse ranks among Daredevil's most lethal foes.

Muse quickly becomes an enemy of Daredevil and his new ally, Blindspot. Their rivalry escalates when Muse blinds Blindspot. After Daredevil finally captures Muse, the villain breaks his own fingers, preventing himself from creating more 'art.' However, Muse's hands are later healed, and he escapes to continue his murderous rampage across New York City.

Obsessed with the city's vigilantes, Muse leaves gruesome tributes to figures like the Punisher, even as the newly elected Mayor Wilson Fisk intensifies his crackdown on vigilante activities. This leads to a dramatic confrontation with Blindspot, who taps into the power of The Beast to defeat Muse. Feeling overshadowed, Muse ultimately commits suicide by walking into a fire.

This final battle occurred in 2018's *Daredevil #600*, and Muse has remained dead since. However, in the Marvel Universe, it's only a matter of time before such a notorious killer returns to life and resumes his deadly art.

Muse in Daredevil: Born Again

The *Daredevil: Born Again* footage from D23 and subsequent trailers confirm Muse's appearance in the upcoming Disney+ series, though the actor portraying him remains undisclosed. Muse is seen in a striking costume mirroring his comic book version—a white mask and bodysuit with red, bloody tears. In the NYCC trailer, he's shown battling Daredevil.

This suggests that *Born Again*, while borrowing its name from the iconic 1986 storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, also draws inspiration from more recent Daredevil comics. The original *Born Again* comic focuses on Wilson Fisk uncovering Daredevil's secret identity and dismantling Matt Murdock's life. The series, while rooted in the ongoing conflict between Murdock and Fisk, appears to take a different path, especially since Fisk already knows Daredevil's identity in the MCU.

One intriguing scene from the trailer shows Daredevil and Fisk meeting in a diner, hinting at an alliance. Matt warns Fisk of consequences for any missteps, to which Fisk responds, "Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?" This suggests a new, formidable threat is emerging in New York City, compelling these arch-enemies to collaborate.

Could Muse be that threat? The MCU's direction seems to align with the works of Charles Soule and Chip Zdarsky’s *Daredevil* comics. According to the post-credits scene in *Echo*, Fisk is poised to run for mayor. The latest *Born Again* trailer suggests he has succeeded, using his resources and charisma to win over New Yorkers.

If *Born Again* mirrors the comics, Fisk will campaign against vigilantism in New York. Muse, as in the comics, opposes this initiative. As a violent killer, Muse glorifies vigilantes like Frank Castle through his gruesome art.

Muse could indeed be the common enemy that forces Daredevil and Mayor Fisk to ally. Daredevil aims to stop a cold-blooded killer, while Fisk seeks to eliminate a direct challenge to his authority. Daredevil might have no choice but to work with Fisk, even if it means aligning with someone who seeks to eradicate vigilantes like him.

*Born Again* will also feature other vigilante characters, such as Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, who will likely be targeted by Fisk’s anti-vigilante task force. At the same time, Muse might glorify these figures through his twisted art.

While the series will undoubtedly focus on the intense rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk, Muse emerges as the immediate and pressing threat to Matt Murdock's world. With his unique powers and relentless bloodlust, Muse could be the most formidable adversary Daredevil has encountered yet. Fortunately, he has an unlikely ally in Mayor Fisk.

For more on the future of the MCU, explore what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and see every upcoming Marvel movie and series.

*Note: this article was originally published on 8/10/2024 and updated on 1/15/2025 with the latest information about Daredevil: Born Again.*