Who is the New Enemy of Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again?

Disney has unveiled an exciting new trailer for "Daredevil: Born Again," set to premiere on Disney+ on March 4. The trailer provides fresh glimpses into the series while reaffirming a significant plot point from the D23-exclusive trailer: Daredevil, portrayed by Charlie Cox, and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will collaborate to combat a common foe. This unexpected alliance may stem from the introduction of a new villain, the chilling serial killer known as Muse, who has been teased in both trailers.

Who is Muse, and what makes this superhuman murderer compelling enough to unite sworn enemies like Daredevil and Kingpin? Here's a deep dive into this twisted Marvel villain.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

18 Images

Who Is Muse?

Muse, a relatively new addition to Daredevil's rogues gallery, was created by Charles Soule and Ron Garney and debuted in 2016's "Daredevil #11." Soule confirmed Muse's appearance in the D23 footage, cementing his role in the upcoming series. Muse is a serial killer with a macabre twist: he views murder as the ultimate art form. His debut saw him creating a mural with the blood of a hundred missing persons, and he later arranged the corpses of six Inhumans into a grotesque piece of performance art.

What makes Muse particularly dangerous to Daredevil is his ability to act as a sensory black hole, disrupting Matt Murdock’s radar sense. Coupled with superhuman strength and speed, Muse is a formidable adversary. His rivalry with Daredevil escalated after he blinded Daredevil's sidekick, Blindspot. After being captured, Muse broke his fingers to prevent himself from creating more "art," only to later have them healed and continue his deadly spree.

Muse’s obsession with New York's vigilantes led him to leave twisted monuments to figures like the Punisher. As Mayor Wilson Fisk cracked down on vigilante activity, Muse's actions directly opposed Fisk's agenda, setting the stage for their conflict. In a dramatic final confrontation in "Daredevil #600," Muse committed suicide, but his return seems inevitable in the ever-revolving door of the Marvel Universe.

Art by Dan Panosian. (Image Credit: Marvel)

Muse in Daredevil: Born Again

The "Daredevil: Born Again" trailers confirm Muse's presence in the series, though the actor portraying him remains undisclosed. Muse's costume in the trailers mirrors his comic book counterpart, featuring a white mask and bodysuit adorned with red, bloody tears. He is depicted engaging Daredevil in combat, underscoring his significance to the plot.

While "Born Again" shares its name with a classic 1986 storyline by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, the series draws heavily from more recent Daredevil comics. The original "Born Again" focused on Wilson Fisk dismantling Matt Murdock's life after discovering his secret identity. In contrast, the series explores a new dynamic, with Fisk already aware of Daredevil's identity and hinting at a potential alliance against a mutual threat.

One scene in the trailer shows Daredevil and Fisk meeting in a diner, where Fisk probes whether Matt's threats stem from his darker alter ego. This suggests a new threat, likely Muse, forcing these arch-enemies to collaborate.

Art by Dan Mora. (Image Credit: Marvel)

Muse could be the catalyst that unites Daredevil and Mayor Fisk. While Daredevil seeks to stop a cold-blooded killer, Fisk aims to eliminate a threat to his authority. This uneasy alliance reflects the complex dynamics seen in Charles Soule and Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil comics, where Fisk campaigns against vigilantism. Muse, a violent killer who glorifies vigilantes like Frank Castle, directly opposes Fisk's agenda, making him a pivotal figure in the series.

"Born Again" will also feature other vigilantes like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and White Tiger, who will likely be targeted by Fisk's anti-vigilante task force while Muse seeks to celebrate them through his deadly art. Muse's powers and bloodlust position him as one of Daredevil's most challenging adversaries, potentially necessitating the alliance with Mayor Fisk.

As "Daredevil: Born Again" unfolds, it may balance the intense rivalry between Daredevil and Fisk with the immediate threat posed by Muse. For more on the future of the MCU, explore what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and discover 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.