Disney+ has released a new trailer for Daredevil: Born Again, premiering March 4th. This footage confirms a surprising twist revealed in the D23 trailer: Daredevil and Kingpin are teaming up against a common enemy. This unlikely alliance stems from a new villain, the artistically-inclined serial killer, Muse.

Who is Muse, and why are he a threat to both Daredevil and Kingpin? Let's delve into this twisted Marvel villain.

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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.

Muse is a chilling villain, reminiscent of Hannibal. He's a prolific serial killer who views murder as the ultimate artistic expression. His debut saw him creating a mural from the blood of a hundred missing persons, later composing a macabre piece using the corpses of six Inhumans.

Muse poses a unique threat to Daredevil; his body acts as a sensory black hole, disrupting Matt Murdock's radar sense. Combined with superhuman strength and speed, this makes him incredibly dangerous.

Muse's rivalry with Daredevil and Blindspot intensifies when he blinds Blindspot. After his capture, Muse self-mutilates to prevent further "art creation." However, he escapes and continues his bloody rampage, fixating on New York's vigilantes, even creating monuments to the Punisher.

This leads to a rematch with Blindspot, who uses the power of The Beast to defeat him. Muse, lamenting his overshadowed narrative, commits suicide by fire in Daredevil #600 (2018). Despite his death, his return is inevitable in the ever-evolving Marvel Universe.

Muse in Daredevil: Born Again

The D23 and subsequent trailers confirm Muse's presence in Daredevil: Born Again, though the actor portraying him remains unannounced. He appears in a costume mirroring his comic counterpart—a white mask and bodysuit with red "tears." The NYCC trailer shows him battling Daredevil.

This signifies Born Again's departure from the 1986 comic's storyline (Fisk discovering Daredevil's identity). While the Murdock-Fisk rivalry remains central, the show takes a different path, especially considering Fisk already knows Daredevil's identity in the MCU.

The show hints at a Daredevil-Fisk alliance. A diner scene shows Matt threatening Fisk, prompting Fisk's reply: "Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?". A significant threat necessitates their collaboration.

Could Muse be that threat? Born Again seems inspired by Soule and Zdarsky's Daredevil comics, and the Echo post-credits scene shows Fisk aiming for the mayor's office. The trailer suggests his election, leveraging his resources and charisma.

Following the comics, Fisk campaigns against vigilantism. Muse directly opposes this, glorifying figures like the Punisher. This shared opposition unites Daredevil and Mayor Fisk: Daredevil seeks to stop a killer, while Fisk aims to eliminate a threat to his authority. Daredevil is forced into an alliance with Fisk, despite Fisk's anti-vigilante stance.

Muse's presence is crucial. The series will also feature the Punisher and White Tiger, caught in Fisk's crusade. Fisk's task force will likely target them, while Muse glorifies them through his art.

Born Again will likely center on the Daredevil-Fisk rivalry, but Muse emerges as the immediate threat. His powers and bloodlust make him arguably Daredevil's toughest opponent yet—hence the unlikely alliance.

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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.