Daredevil: Born Again's Muse Explained: Who Is Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk's New Enemy?

Daredevil: Born Again's New Trailer Reveals a Shocking Alliance: Daredevil and Kingpin Unite Against a Common Foe

A new trailer for Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again, premiering March 4th on Disney+, reveals a surprising twist: Daredevil and Kingpin, longtime adversaries, are apparently collaborating. This development, hinted at in previous trailers, points towards a formidable new villain: the artistically-inclined serial killer, Muse.

Who is Muse, and what makes him a threat capable of forcing this unlikely alliance?

Introducing Muse: A Masterful Murderer

Muse, a relatively recent addition to Daredevil's rogue's gallery (created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney in 2016's Daredevil #11), is a chilling antagonist. He views murder as the ultimate art form, creating gruesome installations from his victims. His first appearance involved a mural painted with the blood of a hundred missing persons. His methods are particularly menacing to Daredevil, as his physiology disrupts Matt Murdock's radar sense. Possessing superhuman strength and speed, Muse is a truly formidable foe.

Muse's conflict with Daredevil and Blindspot escalates dramatically when he blinds Blindspot. Even after his capture, Muse's obsession with his "art" leads him to self-mutilation, only to later escape and continue his killing spree. His final confrontation ends with suicide, though his return in the Marvel Universe is always a possibility.

Muse's Impact on Daredevil: Born Again

The D23 and subsequent trailers confirm Muse's appearance in Daredevil: Born Again, sporting a costume faithful to his comic book counterpart: a white mask and bodysuit with red "tears." The series, while bearing the title of a classic Frank Miller storyline, draws inspiration from more contemporary Daredevil comics. While the original Born Again focused on Fisk's discovery of Daredevil's identity, the show seems to be charting a different course, particularly given Fisk's prior knowledge of Daredevil's secret identity within the MCU.

The new trailer depicts a tense meeting between Daredevil and Fisk in a diner, hinting at a mutual threat. Fisk's line, "Is that coming from Matt Murdock… or your darker half?", suggests a shared enemy powerful enough to necessitate their uneasy truce.

The Alliance: A Necessary Evil?

Muse's role as the catalyst for this alliance is highly plausible. Fisk, now Mayor Fisk (as revealed in the trailer and hinted at in Echo's post-credits scene), is campaigning against vigilantism. Muse, with his glorification of figures like the Punisher, directly opposes Fisk's agenda. This creates a scenario where Daredevil, seeking to stop a ruthless killer, must reluctantly cooperate with Fisk, who aims to eradicate unsanctioned heroes.

Daredevil: Born Again will also feature other vigilantes like the Punisher and White Tiger, likely caught in the crossfire of Fisk's crackdown. Muse's actions could further escalate this conflict, making him a significant threat to both heroes and the city itself.

While the Daredevil-Fisk rivalry remains central, Muse emerges as the immediate danger. His powers and brutality could make him Daredevil's most challenging opponent yet, forcing an uncomfortable alliance with his longtime nemesis, Mayor Fisk.

Note: This article was originally published on 8/10/2024 and updated on 1/15/2025 with the latest information about Daredevil: Born Again.