6 Daredevil Comics to Read Ahead of MCU’s Born Again Disney+ Series

6 Daredevil Comics to Read Ahead of MCU’s Born Again Disney+ Series

As a die-hard fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in the gritty world of Matt Murdock and his alter ego Daredevil, I can’t help but feel an electrifying surge of anticipation for the upcoming series, “Daredevil: Born Again.


The upcoming series “Daredevil: Born Again” is set to launch a fresh chapter within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, focusing on gritty urban vigilantism tailored for adult viewers. To make it even more intriguing, this series serves as a continuation of the acclaimed Netflix Daredevil show, with all key actors reprising their roles for Disney+.

Everyone is buzzing with excitement over the series release and trying to gather as much information as possible to learn more about its storyline. If you want to truly grasp Daredevil’s background, there’s no better source than Marvel Comics, and these specific storylines are a must-read before the premiere of Born Again.

1. “Born Again” (Daredevil #227-231)

6 Daredevil Comics to Read Ahead of MCU’s Born Again Disney+ Series

Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s comic book narrative, titled similarly to the Disney+ series, is worth your attention. In these comics, Karen Page, struggling with heroin addiction, reveals Daredevil’s secret identity in an attempt to fund her habit. This action sets off a chain of events orchestrated by Kingpin, ultimately aiming to ruin Matt Murdock’s life. He freezes Murdock’s accounts, gets him disbarred, and leaves him critically injured following a fierce confrontation.

Netflix’s Daredevil Season 3 previously incorporated aspects from this narrative, as Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) falsely accused Matt of murder and turned public sentiment against him. Moreover, Charlie Cox has clarified that Born Again won’t be a straight adaptation, considering the popularity of Deborah Ann Woll’s character, Karen Page. Betraying Matt by turning against him would be disappointing for fans. However, themes of redemption may still be significant in the upcoming series. Given Cox also stated that Born Again has been reimagined as a sequel to the Netflix series, the forthcoming series could delve into the ramifications of Fisk retaining knowledge of Matt’s secret identity while driving the character further down a dark path.

2. “Mayor Fisk” (Daredevil Vol. 6 #1-6, Devil’s Reign #1-6)

6 Daredevil Comics to Read Ahead of MCU’s Born Again Disney+ Series

In the final episode of ‘Echo’, Kingpin was seen striving for political dominance in New York City, a plotline reminiscent of Chip Zdarsky’s recent story arcs. In the comics, Fisk manages to win the mayoral election fairly while still controlling his criminal empire. He exploits his newfound power to ban vigilantism, creating an unfavorable environment for heroes such as Daredevil. This situation culminates in ‘Devil’s Reign’, where Fisk’s anti-vigilante campaign reaches its zenith, deploying his superpowered enforcers to track down and apprehend heroes.

When queried about the “Devil’s Reign” storyline, Vincent D’Onofrio opted to be secretive, a tactic often used by Marvel Studios to hint at upcoming events. This implies that the story of Mayor Fisk is now crucial for anyone aiming to predict the plot of “Born Again.” To reinforce this, it’s worth recalling that the Netflix series portrayed Fisk’s yearning for legitimacy and public admiration, making his political rise a logical progression for the character. Given that his mayoral aspirations were shown in the trailer for “Daredevil: Born Again,” “Devil’s Reign” is almost certainly on the horizon.

3. The Muse Arc (Daredevil Vol. 5 #11-14)

6 Daredevil Comics to Read Ahead of MCU’s Born Again Disney+ Series

Among the captivating features of “Daredevil: Born Again” lies the presence of Muse, one of Matt Murdock’s eeriest antagonists from the comics. This chilling serial killer by Charles Soule, known for his gruesome art installations made from human remains, even painted a mural with the blood of a hundred victims. Unlike usual Daredevil enemies who are either accomplished fighters or crime lords, Muse boasts supernatural abilities that set him apart as an extraordinary threat. His body functions like a black hole, assimilating all sensory data in his surroundings, making him invisible during combat. Without his heightened senses, Matt Murdock becomes particularly vulnerable, making Muse a formidable foe for the Man Without Fear.

Including the character in “Born Again” marks a notable shift from the Netflix series’ realistic tone. Unlike the original series which mainly focused on human dangers such as organized crime and corruption, the supernatural powers and artistic murders of Muse could connect the gritty street-level crimes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s more fantastical aspects. Therefore, delving into the comic books that introduced the villain is an ideal way to get ready for the series.

4. “Bullseye: The Target” (Daredevil #159-160, #169)

6 Daredevil Comics to Read Ahead of MCU’s Born Again Disney+ Series

Wilson Bethel’s reprisal as Bullseye continues from the Netflix series, leaving off at the end of Season 3 where Dex was found on an operating table, undergoing a revolutionary cybernetic transformation to heal from a critical spinal injury. Essentially, “Born Again” will bring to life the live-action version of Bullseye that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been eagerly awaiting. To grasp the excitement surrounding his character’s arrival, there is no better comic book to delve into than “The Target.” In this classic work by Frank Miller, Bullseye’s fixation on Daredevil arises after a failed attempt to kidnap Black Widow, leading to a series of escalating, brutal encounters between the villain and Matt. This obsession with perfection and refusal to accept defeat ultimately fuels his relentless pursuit of vengeance against Daredevil.

In the Netflix series, it’s been demonstrated that Dex has psychological issues and requires order, which was exploited by Kingpin. The upcoming series, “Born Again,” could expand upon this basis, portraying how his unsuccessful attempt to be a ‘good guy’ in Season 3 drives him to fully accept his darker self, ultimately adorning the iconic costume from the comics.

5. Heather Glenn’s Story (Daredevil #220-222)

6 Daredevil Comics to Read Ahead of MCU’s Born Again Disney+ Series

In the new portrayal, Heather Glenn is transformed into a therapist, providing counsel for both Matt and Fisk, which is quite distinct from her comic book persona as a socialite and daughter of Maxwell Glenn, president of Glenn Industries. Instead of being embroiled in Matt Murdock’s life as a socialite, her story unfolded when Daredevil uncovered a criminal plot involving her father, who was under the manipulation of the Purple Man. Despite Daredevil’s attempts to clear Maxwell Glenn without revealing his secret identity, he ultimately took his own life.

The fascinating link between Heather and the Purple Man, portrayed by Krysten Ritter’s character Jessica Jones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), becomes more captivating as whispers suggest her potential return. Given Jessica’s harrowing past with the Purple Man, the upcoming “Born Again” storyline could leverage this updated Heather character to weave these plotlines together.

6. “Supreme: Parts 1-3” (Daredevil Vol. 2 #82-87)

6 Daredevil Comics to Read Ahead of MCU’s Born Again Disney+ Series

The comeback of Jon Bernthal as The Punisher for “Born Again” revives one of the Netflix series’ most intriguing contrasts. In Season 2 of Daredevil, their philosophical conflict peaked in the memorable rooftop argument, where Frank bound Matt and presented him with an agonizing choice: shoot a criminal or witness Frank carrying out the execution himself. This scene aptly symbolized their core disagreement: Matt advocates for redemption and trusts the legal system, whereas Frank views death as the ultimate remedy for crime.

Ed Brubaker’s “Supreme” storyline delves into comparable themes using a fresh perspective. When Castle uncovers corruption within the police department, his initial reaction is brutal violence, while Murdock opts to reveal the truth via legal means. The trailer for “Born Again” hints at another confrontation between Matt and Frank, making reading “Supreme” an ideal way to grasp the intricacies of Daredevil and The Punisher’s dynamic.

Daredevil: Born Again will premiere on Disney+ on March 4, 2025.

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2024-11-18 03:10