Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell Gives Matt Murdock the Dark Knight Returns Treatment

It's a great time to be a Daredevil fan! The Netflix series continues with Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, and Marvel Comics launches a new miniseries, Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell. This miniseries reunites Death of Wolverine writer Charles Soule and artist Steve McNiven, promising a story reminiscent of The Dark Knight Returns, but with a Daredevil twist.

IGN spoke with Soule to learn more. See an exclusive preview of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 in the gallery below, then read on for insights into the series and Soule's thoughts on Born Again's adaptation of his past Daredevil work.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery

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The comparison to The Dark Knight Returns is apt. Cold Day in Hell isn't set in the present-day Marvel Universe; instead, it depicts an older, powerless Matt Murdock grappling with age and past traumas. He's not alone; superheroes are largely absent in this future. Soule explains Matt's loss of powers simply: his radioactive origin fades over time. He retains his combat skills but hasn't used them in years, essentially an ordinary older man with an extraordinary past.

This "aging hero returns" trope, seen in works like Old Man Logan, is potent, says Soule. It allows for a fresh perspective, stripping the hero down to their core while enabling creative freedom outside typical continuity. Cold Day in Hell crafts its own corner of the Marvel Universe with a unique history, allowing Soule and McNiven to create new elements while adding their spin on established ones.

This isn't Soule and McNiven's first collaboration exploring mortality in a Marvel hero, following their work on Death of Wolverine. Soule considers each project an evolution of their collaboration and friendship, describing Cold Day in Hell as highly collaborative, a back-and-forth process resulting in a unique, almost "jazzy" feel.

The story also explores the aging supporting cast and villains. While Soule remains tight-lipped, he promises major surprises.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1, timed with Born Again, serves as an accessible entry point into Daredevil comics, requiring only basic knowledge of the character.

Soule confirms Born Again draws inspiration from his 2015-2018 run, including Mayor Fisk and Muse, and other thematic elements. He expresses his excitement about these ideas reaching a wider audience.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 releases April 2, 2025. For more on Marvel Comics, see what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and our most anticipated comics of 2025.