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 footage echoes what we glimpsed in the exclusive D23 trailer, confirming that Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will be joining forces to combat a formidable foe. What could possibly unite these arch-nemeses? The answer might lie with the newly introduced villain, the chillingly artistic serial killer known as Muse.

Who exactly is Muse, and what makes this superhuman murderer so terrifying that even sworn enemies like Daredevil and Kingpin must collaborate? Here’s a deep dive into this sinister Marvel villain.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

18 Images

Who Is Muse?

Muse is a relatively new addition to Daredevil’s roster of adversaries, created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney, and first appearing in *Daredevil #11* in 2016. Soule has confirmed Muse's presence in the D23 footage, dispelling any doubts about his inclusion.

Muse is a villain who could fit seamlessly into a series like *Hannibal*. He views murder as the ultimate form of art, evidenced by his gruesome debut where he painted a mural with the blood of a hundred missing individuals. Later, he orchestrated a macabre composition using the bodies of six Inhumans.

What makes Muse particularly lethal to Daredevil is his ability to disrupt Matt Murdock’s radar sense by absorbing stimuli, effectively creating a sensory void. Combined with his superhuman strength, speed, and a chilling aptitude for murder, Muse is one of Daredevil’s most formidable enemies.

Muse quickly becomes a nemesis not only to Daredevil but also to his sidekick, Blindspot. Their rivalry escalates dramatically when Muse blinds Blindspot. Despite eventually being brought to justice, Muse mutilates his own hands to prevent further creation. However, his hands are later healed, leading to a bloody resurgence through New York City. Obsessed with the city's vigilantes, Muse leaves grotesque tributes to figures like the Punisher, even as Mayor Wilson Fisk intensifies his crackdown on vigilante activity.

This leads to a fierce rematch with Blindspot, who taps into the power of The Beast to defeat Muse. Feeling overshadowed, Muse ends his life by walking into a fire. This dramatic confrontation occurred in *Daredevil #600* in 2018, and Muse has remained deceased since. Yet, in the unpredictable Marvel Universe, his return seems inevitable.

Muse in Daredevil: Born Again

The *Daredevil: Born Again* trailers confirm Muse’s appearance in the upcoming Disney+ series, though the actor portraying him remains undisclosed. In the teasers, Muse sports a costume reminiscent of his comic book version—a white mask and bodysuit adorned with red, bloody tears. He's prominently featured in several scenes, including a confrontation with Daredevil.

Despite sharing its name with the iconic 1986 Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli storyline, *Born Again* draws heavily from more recent Daredevil comics. While the original comic focuses on Wilson Fisk uncovering Daredevil’s identity and dismantling Matt Murdock’s life, the series takes a different path, hinting at a temporary alliance between Daredevil and Fisk against a new threat. A scene at a diner illustrates their tense partnership, with Matt warning Fisk of retaliation, to which Fisk responds, “Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?”

Could Muse be the catalyst for this alliance? The MCU’s Daredevil universe appears to be leaning towards a status quo inspired by Charles Soule and Chip Zdarsky’s comics. Post-credits scenes from *Echo* suggest Fisk's ambition for the mayoral office, a position he seemingly achieves in the latest *Born Again* trailer. Fisk’s campaign focuses on eradicating vigilantism, directly opposing Muse, who glorifies figures like Frank Castle through his gruesome art.

Muse could very well be the common enemy that forces Daredevil and Mayor Fisk to collaborate. Daredevil aims to remove a cold-blooded killer from the streets, while Fisk seeks to eliminate a direct challenge to his authority. This uneasy alliance with Fisk, who is crusading against vigilantes, might be Daredevil’s only option.

The series will also feature other vigilantes like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, likely caught in the crosshairs of Fisk’s anti-vigilante task force. Meanwhile, Muse will continue to glorify these vigilantes through his twisted artwork, adding complexity to the narrative.

While the rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk remains a central theme, Muse emerges as the immediate threat to Matt Murdock’s world. With his unique powers and insatiable bloodlust, Muse might be the toughest adversary Daredevil has ever encountered. Fortunately, he'll have an unlikely ally in Mayor Fisk.

For more insights into the MCU's future, 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.*