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

Disney has unveiled a captivating new trailer for *Daredevil: Born Again*, set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4. This trailer reaffirms a key plot point hinted at in the previous D23-exclusive trailer: the unlikely alliance between Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin as they face a common enemy. The new villain teased in both trailers is the chilling, artistically inclined serial killer known as Muse. This character has the potential to forge a partnership between these two sworn enemies, but who is Muse, and what makes this superhuman murderer so formidable?

Here’s an in-depth look at Muse, the twisted Marvel villain set to make waves in the MCU.

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18 ImagesWho Is Muse?

Muse is a relatively new addition to Daredevil’s rogues gallery, created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney. The character debuted in 2016’s *Daredevil #11*, and Soule confirmed Muse's appearance in the D23 footage. Muse is a serial killer who sees murder as the ultimate artistic expression, reminiscent of characters from the *Hannibal* TV series. His first act was painting a mural using the blood of a hundred missing persons, followed by arranging the corpses of six Inhumans into a macabre composition.

What makes Muse particularly dangerous to Daredevil is his ability to act as a sensory black hole, disrupting Matt Murdock’s radar sense. Coupled with superhuman strength and speed, Muse poses a significant threat. He quickly becomes an enemy to Daredevil and his sidekick, Blindspot, escalating the conflict by gouging out Blindspot’s eyes. When captured, Muse breaks his own fingers to prevent himself from creating more art, only to have them healed and escape to continue his reign of terror.

Muse's obsession with New York's vigilantes leads him to leave twisted monuments, even as Mayor Wilson Fisk cracks down on vigilante activity. This culminates in a fierce battle with Blindspot, who taps into the power of The Beast to defeat Muse. In a dramatic end, Muse commits suicide by walking into a fire, as depicted in 2018’s *Daredevil #600*. However, given the nature of the Marvel Universe, Muse's return seems inevitable.

The *Daredevil: Born Again* footage from D23 and subsequent trailers confirm Muse's role in the series. Although the actor portraying Muse remains undisclosed, he appears in a striking costume similar to his comic counterpart, featuring a white mask and bodysuit with red, bloody tears. The trailers showcase Muse battling Daredevil, indicating a central role in the plot.

While *Born Again* shares its name with the iconic 1986 storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, the series draws inspiration from more recent Daredevil comics. The comic focuses on Wilson Fisk discovering Daredevil's secret identity and dismantling Matt Murdock's life. In contrast, the MCU version sees Fisk already aware of Daredevil's identity, suggesting a different narrative path.

One of the most intriguing elements of *Born Again* is the potential alliance between Daredevil and Fisk, hinted at in a scene where they meet in a diner. Matt warns Fisk of retaliation if he crosses the line, to which Fisk responds, “Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?” This suggests a new threat in New York City compelling these adversaries to collaborate.

Muse could be that unifying threat. In the comics, Fisk campaigns against vigilante justice, a stance Muse directly opposes by glorifying vigilantes like Frank Castle. In *Born Again*, Fisk's election as mayor aligns with his comic book narrative, positioning Muse as a direct challenge to his authority and a menace Daredevil must confront. This scenario forces Daredevil to ally with Fisk, despite their ongoing rivalry, to neutralize Muse's threat.

The series also introduces other vigilante characters like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, who may find themselves targeted by Fisk's anti-vigilante task force. Muse's twisted art celebrating these vigilantes adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.

Ultimately, *Born Again* may hinge on the rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk, but Muse emerges as the immediate and formidable threat to Matt Murdock’s world. With his unique powers and relentless bloodlust, Muse presents one of the toughest challenges Daredevil has ever faced. Fortunately, he might have 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.