5 Most Accurate Daredevil: Born Again Characters, Based on the Marvel Comics

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The new series Daredevil: Born Again has successfully brought the darker, street-level stories of Marvel back to life, and importantly, connects the old Netflix shows to the current Marvel universe. This was a key challenge for the franchise, which previously struggled to balance the gritty realism of Hell’s Kitchen with the larger, more fantastical storylines. Despite a major creative reset during filming – which did affect how the episodes flowed – fans have welcomed the return of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock. This version of Daredevil keeps the complex, emotional depth of previous appearances, proving that more adult storylines from the Defenders series can work well on Disney+.

The success of Daredevil: Born Again hinges on its ambitious take on the “Mayor Fisk” storyline, turning a local New York City conflict into a thrilling political drama. The show will broaden its focus in season two by bringing back Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), uniting the street-level heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Like the original Daredevil series, Born Again stays true to the comic books, but writers have made smart changes to characters and storylines to fit the MCU. These updates also help modernize the show’s themes of law and justice, while still staying true to the core personalities of the main characters. As a result, many characters are remarkably faithful to their comic book origins.

5) Franklin “Foggy” Nelson

When Franklin “Foggy” Nelson (Elden Henson) appeared in the new series, many assumed his character had died in the first episode, seemingly killed by Bullseye (Wilson Bethel). However, the show’s storyline closely follows a comic book arc where Foggy fakes his death and enters witness protection to keep himself safe while Matt Murdock deals with a dangerous time as a vigilante. The new series, Born Again, uses the appearance of Foggy’s death to increase the tension and drive the protagonist into a darker emotional state. Even with limited screen time so far, this version of Foggy remains true to the loyal and morally strong character fans have known for over sixty years.

4) Hector Ayala, aka White Tiger

The introduction of Hector Ayala (Kamar de los Reyes) in live-action is a clear nod to the gritty, street-level stories found in the classic Deadly Hands of Kung Fu comics. As Marvel’s first Puerto Rican superhero, Ayala gains enhanced abilities from mystical Jade Tiger amulets. The show accurately portrays the White Tiger’s legal troubles, closely mirroring the “Trial of the Century” storyline from Daredevil #38-40. In both the comics and the series, Hector is a hero falsely accused of a crime involving a police officer, leading Matt Murdock to fight against a corrupt legal system to prove his innocence. Though the trial’s result is slightly different – the show sees him acquitted before his death – the character’s core motivation remains a selfless dedication to protecting his community from corruption.

3) Frank Castle, aka The Punisher

Frank Castle, the Punisher (played by Jon Bernthal), makes a powerful return in Daredevil: Born Again, bringing the same intense beliefs as the comic book version of the character. The story centers around a conflict that begins when Castle realizes corrupt NYPD officers are using his iconic skull symbol. This idea is similar to the 2019 Punisher comic series, where the character strongly condemns those who misuse his methods to cover up their own wrongdoing. The series also visually echoes the Punisher’s look from different eras of the comics, showing him shift from a secluded, bearded appearance back to the clean-shaven, skull-wearing fighter he’s known for. By highlighting that the Punisher operates outside of any system and refuses to be controlled, Born Again stays true to Frank Castle’s uncompromising mission.

2) Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil

The new series expertly blends the classic portrayals of Daredevil from the Frank Miller and Chip Zdarsky comics. It accurately shows Matt Murdock’s internal conflict – the guilt he feels as a Catholic and the tension between his work as a lawyer and his life as a vigilante. Like the comics, the show really emphasizes how Daredevil’s enhanced senses and intelligence work, and how those abilities are both a gift and a burden. The story also follows a familiar pattern from the comics: Matt tries to retire and live a normal life, but he’s inevitably pulled back into fighting crime because of the city’s corruption. Finally, the show stays true to the character’s comic book roots with his suit’s design and his fighting style, which combines boxing and martial arts.

1) Wilson Fisk, aka The Kingpin

Wilson Fisk, brilliantly portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio, is arguably the best comic book villain ever brought to life in a superhero TV series. The recent “Mayor Fisk” storyline in Daredevil: Born Again closely follows the Devil’s Reign comics, where Kingpin uses his political power to fight against vigilantes. The show accurately portrays Fisk as a public figure who promises safety and order while secretly maintaining his grip on the city’s criminal world. This contrast – his polished exterior versus his sudden, brutal violence – has always been a key part of the character. Born Again also highlights Fisk’s intelligence, showing how he sees New York City as both something to control and a system he can expertly manipulate.

Who do you think is the most comic-accurate character in Daredevil: Born Again? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-23 22:40