Disney+ has released a new trailer for Daredevil: Born Again, premiering March 4th. This footage confirms what the D23 trailer hinted at: Daredevil and Kingpin, sworn enemies, will be working together against a common threat—the artistically inclined serial killer, Muse.

Who is Muse, and why does this superhuman villain unite such bitter rivals? Let's delve into this twisted Marvel antagonist.

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Who Is Muse?

Muse, a relatively recent addition to Daredevil's rogues gallery, debuted in 2016's Daredevil #11, created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney (Soule himself confirmed Muse's appearance in the D23 footage). This villain, reminiscent of Hannibal's aesthetic, views murder as the ultimate art form. His debut involved a mural painted with the blood of a hundred missing persons, later followed by a macabre arrangement of Inhuman corpses.

Muse's unique threat to Daredevil stems from his ability to disrupt Matt Murdock's radar sense, acting as a sensory black hole. Combined with superhuman strength and speed, this makes him exceptionally dangerous.

His rivalry with Daredevil and Blindspot intensifies when he blinds Blindspot. After his capture, Muse self-mutilates, destroying his ability to create art. However, he escapes and resumes his killing spree, fixating on New York's vigilantes, creating twisted tributes to figures like the Punisher, coinciding with Mayor Wilson Fisk's crackdown on vigilante activity. This leads to a final confrontation with Blindspot, where Muse ultimately commits suicide.

Despite his death in Daredevil #600 (2018), Muse's return seems inevitable in the Marvel Universe.

Muse in Daredevil: Born Again

The Daredevil: Born Again D23 and subsequent trailers confirm Muse's appearance, though the actor portraying him remains unannounced. His costume closely mirrors his comic book counterpart: a white mask and bodysuit with red "bloody tears." Scenes in the NYCC trailer show him battling Daredevil.

This indicates Born Again, while sharing a name with the iconic 1986 storyline, draws inspiration from more modern Daredevil comics. The original comic focuses on Fisk's destruction of Murdock's life after discovering his identity. The show, while centered on their rivalry, seems to diverge, especially considering Fisk already knows Daredevil's identity in the MCU.

The series suggests an alliance between Daredevil and Fisk. A diner scene shows Matt threatening Fisk, prompting Fisk's reply: "Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?" A significant new threat necessitates their collaboration.

Could Muse be that threat? Born Again appears to be influenced by Soule and Zdarsky's Daredevil comics. The Echo post-credits scene shows Fisk eyeing the mayor's office; the Born Again trailer suggests he's been elected, using his resources and charisma to win over New Yorkers.

Following the comics, Fisk campaigns against vigilantism. Muse directly opposes this, glorifying figures like the Punisher through his art. This shared enemy—Muse—could unite Daredevil (seeking to stop a killer) and Fisk (eliminating a threat to his mayorship)—forcing an unlikely alliance.

The series will also feature the Punisher and White Tiger, likely caught in Fisk's anti-vigilante crusade. Muse's glorification of these figures further fuels the conflict.

Born Again will likely explore the Daredevil-Fisk rivalry, but Muse emerges as the most pressing threat. His powers and bloodlust present a formidable challenge for Daredevil, making his alliance with Fisk a necessary, albeit uneasy, one.

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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.