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

Disney has unveiled an exciting new trailer for *Daredevil: Born Again*, set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4. This latest teaser confirms a surprising plot twist hinted at in the D23-exclusive trailer: Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will be collaborating to face a common enemy. The question on everyone's mind is: what could possibly unite these long-standing adversaries? The answer may lie with a chilling new villain introduced in the trailers, the artistically inclined serial killer known as Muse.

So, who is Muse, and why does this formidable killer have the power to bring together such fierce rivals as Daredevil and Kingpin? Here’s everything you need to know about this sinister addition to the Marvel universe.

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Who Is Muse?

Muse is a relatively recent but significant addition to Daredevil’s roster of villains. Created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney, Muse made his debut in 2016’s *Daredevil #11*. Soule himself has confirmed Muse's appearance in the D23 footage.

Muse is a character that wouldn't feel out of place in a series like *Hannibal*. He's a prolific serial killer who views murder as the ultimate artistic expression. In his first appearance, he created a mural using the blood of a hundred missing persons. Later, he arranged 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. With his superhuman strength, speed, and a genuine talent for murder, Muse ranks among Daredevil's most lethal foes.

Muse quickly becomes a nemesis to Daredevil and his sidekick, Blindspot. The rivalry escalates when Muse blinds Blindspot. Although Daredevil eventually brings Muse to justice, Muse mutilates his own hands to prevent further art creation. However, his hands are later healed, leading to his escape and a continuation of his deadly spree across New York City.

Obsessed with the city's vigilantes, Muse leaves twisted tributes to figures like the Punisher, even as the newly elected Mayor Wilson Fisk intensifies his crackdown on vigilante activity. This triggers a brutal rematch with Blindspot, who taps into the power of The Beast to defeat Muse. Feeling outshone, Muse ultimately commits suicide by walking into a fire.

This final confrontation 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 this prolific killer is resurrected to continue his grisly artistry.

Muse in Daredevil: Born Again

The footage from *Daredevil: Born Again* shown at D23 and subsequent trailers confirm Muse's inclusion in the upcoming Disney+ series, though the actor portraying him remains undisclosed. Muse is seen in a single shot, wearing a costume reminiscent of his comic book version - a white mask and bodysuit with red, bloody tears. Additional scenes in the NYCC trailer show Muse engaging in combat with Daredevil.

Despite sharing its name with the iconic 1986 Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli storyline, *Born Again* draws inspiration from more recent Daredevil comics. The original comic focuses on Wilson Fisk discovering Daredevil’s secret identity and dismantling Matt Murdock’s life. The series, while maintaining the core rivalry between Murdock and Fisk, takes a different path, especially since Fisk has known Daredevil's identity for some time in the MCU.

Intriguingly, *Born Again* hints at an alliance between Daredevil and Fisk. A scene shows the two meeting in a diner, where Matt warns Fisk of repercussions should he overstep, to which Fisk responds, “Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?”. This suggests a new, significant threat in New York City compelling these bitter enemies to unite.

Could Muse be this threat? The MCU's Daredevil narrative appears to be influenced by Charles Soule and Chip Zdarsky’s runs on the comics. Following the post-credits scene in *Echo*, Fisk is seen aiming for the mayoral office, and the latest *Born Again* trailer indicates he has succeeded. Fisk's campaign likely focuses on ending vigilante justice in New York City, directly opposing Muse, who glorifies vigilantes like Frank Castle through his gruesome art.

Muse could be the common enemy that brings Daredevil and Mayor Fisk together in the series. Daredevil wants a serial killer off the streets, while Fisk aims to eliminate a threat to his authority. This alliance, though uneasy, could be the only way to stop Muse's reign of terror.

*Born Again* is also set to feature other vigilantes such as Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, who may find themselves caught in Fisk's anti-vigilante crackdown. Muse's twisted artworks celebrating these figures could further complicate matters. Ultimately, while the series may hinge on the intense rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk, Muse emerges as the most immediate and challenging threat to Matt Murdock’s world.

For more insights into the future of the MCU, check out what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and explore 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.