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

Disney has unveiled a new trailer for the eagerly awaited series *Daredevil: Born Again*, set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4. This latest glimpse into the show confirms a surprising twist hinted at in the earlier D23-exclusive trailer: Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will be teaming up to confront a common enemy. This unexpected alliance could be driven by the emergence of a chilling new villain named Muse, an artistically inclined serial killer who has been teased in both trailers.

Who is Muse, and what makes this superhuman murderer so dangerous that he can compel arch-enemies like Daredevil and Kingpin to join forces? Here’s everything you need to know about this intriguing Marvel villain.

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Who Is Muse?

Muse, a relatively recent addition to Daredevil's rogues gallery, was introduced by Charles Soule and Ron Garney in 2016’s *Daredevil #11*. Soule has confirmed Muse's presence in the D23 footage, marking his transition to the screen.

Muse is a chilling figure, akin to a character from the *Hannibal* TV series. A prolific serial killer, he views murder as the ultimate artistic expression. In his debut, he creates a mural with the blood of a hundred missing persons and later arranges the bodies of six Inhumans into a macabre composition.

What makes Muse particularly dangerous to Daredevil is his ability to act as a sensory black hole, scrambling Matt Murdock's radar sense. Coupled with his superhuman strength, speed, and a penchant for murder, Muse stands out as one of Daredevil's most formidable foes.

Muse quickly becomes a nemesis to Daredevil and his new sidekick, Blindspot. The tension escalates when Muse blinds Blindspot. Although Daredevil eventually captures Muse, the villain mutilates himself to prevent further artistic creation. However, after his hands are healed and he escapes, Muse continues his deadly spree across New York City, becoming fixated on the city's vigilantes and leaving gruesome tributes to figures like the Punisher.

His rivalry with Blindspot culminates in a dramatic showdown where Blindspot harnesses the power of The Beast from the ninja cult The Hand. Feeling overshadowed, Muse takes his own life by walking into a fire. This confrontation was detailed in 2018’s *Daredevil #600*, and Muse has remained dead in the comics since then. Yet, given the nature of the Marvel Universe, his return seems inevitable.

Muse in Daredevil: Born Again

The *Daredevil: Born Again* footage from D23 and subsequent trailers confirm Muse's role in the upcoming Disney+ series. Though the actor portraying Muse remains undisclosed, he appears in a costume reminiscent of his comic book version, featuring a white mask and bodysuit with red, bloody tears.

While the series shares its name with Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's iconic 1986 storyline, *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, explores new narrative paths, especially considering Fisk's prior knowledge of Daredevil's identity in the MCU.

The series hints at an alliance between Daredevil and Fisk, with one scene showing them meeting in a diner. Matt warns Fisk of consequences if he crosses the line, to which Fisk responds, “Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?” This suggests a significant threat in New York City that could force these adversaries to collaborate.

Could Muse be that threat? The MCU's Daredevil universe seems to be drawing from Charles Soule and Chip Zdarsky’s recent comics. The post-credits scene in *Echo* hints at Fisk's political ambitions, and the latest *Born Again* trailer suggests he has been elected mayor, leveraging his resources and charisma to win over New Yorkers.

If the series follows the comics, Fisk will campaign against vigilante justice in New York. Muse, who glorifies vigilantes through his violent art, directly challenges Fisk's agenda. Muse could be the common enemy that brings Daredevil and Mayor Fisk together. While Daredevil aims to stop a cold-blooded killer, Fisk seeks to eliminate a threat to his authority. This uneasy alliance is crucial for Daredevil, even if it means working with a man determined to eradicate vigilantes like him.

The presence of other vigilantes like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger in *Born Again* further complicates the narrative. They are likely to be targets of Fisk's anti-vigilante campaign, while Muse's art could celebrate their actions, creating a complex web of alliances and conflicts.

Ultimately, *Born Again* may still revolve around the intense rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk, but Muse emerges as the immediate and most pressing threat to Matt Murdock's world. With his unique powers and relentless bloodlust, Muse could be Daredevil's most challenging adversary yet. It's fortunate that he has an 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*.