Disney has unveiled a thrilling new trailer for *Daredevil: Born Again*, set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4th. This latest footage echoes what was previously teased in the D23-exclusive trailer: Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will seemingly join forces against a formidable foe. The catalyst for this unlikely alliance might just be the new villain hinted at in both trailers, the chilling serial killer known as Muse.
Who is Muse, and what makes this superhuman murderer so menacing that even fierce adversaries like Daredevil and Kingpin must unite? Here's everything you need to know about this sinister Marvel villain.
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Who Is Muse?
Muse is a relatively new addition to Daredevil’s rogues gallery, crafted by Charles Soule and Ron Garney, making his debut in 2016’s *Daredevil #11*. Soule himself has confirmed Muse's presence in the D23 footage.
This villain could easily fit into the *Hannibal* TV series. Muse views murder as the ultimate art form, creating macabre masterpieces from his victims. His debut saw him painting a mural with the blood of a hundred missing persons, and later orchestrating a tableau with the corpses of six Inhumans.
Muse's danger to Daredevil is amplified by his unique ability to act as a sensory black hole, disrupting Matt Murdock’s radar sense. Combined with superhuman strength, speed, and a relentless drive for murder, Muse ranks among Daredevil's most lethal adversaries.
Muse quickly becomes a nemesis to Daredevil and his sidekick, Blindspot, with their rivalry escalating after Muse blinds Blindspot. Although Daredevil eventually apprehends Muse, the villain breaks his own fingers to prevent further artistic creation. However, his hands are later healed, leading to his escape and renewed reign of terror in New York City.
Obsessed with the city's vigilantes, Muse leaves twisted monuments to figures like the Punisher while Mayor Wilson Fisk cracks down on vigilante activity. This leads to a fierce rematch with Blindspot, who taps into the power of The Beast to defeat Muse. Feeling outshone, Muse ends his life by walking into a fire.
This dramatic confrontation occurred in 2018’s *Daredevil #600*, and Muse has remained deceased since. Yet, in the Marvel Universe, his return seems inevitable, ready to resume his gruesome art.
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 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 him clashing with Daredevil.
While *Born Again* shares its name with the iconic 1986 Daredevil storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, it draws inspiration from more recent 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, takes a different path, especially since Fisk already knows Daredevil's identity in the MCU.
*Born Again* hints at an alliance between Daredevil and Fisk, as seen in a diner scene where Matt warns Fisk of consequences, prompting Fisk to question whether the threat comes from Matt Murdock or his darker alter ego. This suggests a new, significant threat in New York City compelling these enemies to collaborate.
Could Muse be this threat? The MCU's Daredevil universe appears to be influenced by Charles Soule and Chip Zdarsky’s comics. The post-credits scene in *Echo* indicates Fisk's ambition for the mayoral office, and the latest *Born Again* trailer suggests he has achieved this goal, leveraging his resources and charisma to win over New Yorkers.
If *Born Again* mirrors the comics, Fisk will campaign against vigilantism in New York. Muse, as in the comics, directly opposes this agenda, glorifying vigilantes like Frank Castle through his violent art. Muse could be the common enemy that forces Daredevil and Mayor Fisk to unite. Daredevil aims to stop a cold-blooded killer, while Fisk seeks to eliminate a threat to his authority.
*Born Again* will also feature other vigilantes like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, likely caught in Fisk’s anti-vigilante crusade. Muse's twisted art may glorify these figures, further complicating the situation. While the series will undoubtedly explore the intense rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk, Muse emerges as the immediate and pressing threat to Matt Murdock’s world. With his powers and bloodlust, Muse may be Daredevil's toughest challenge yet, making an alliance with Mayor Fisk a necessary evil.
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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.
