Daredevil: Born Again Makes Shocking Changes to Muse’s Powers

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In the initial episodes of “Daredevil: Born Again“, viewers have noticed enigmatic murals popping up across New York City, all sharing a unique mark. It’s clear that these street artworks are the handiwork of Muse, a Marvel villain hinted at in the promotional material for “Daredevil: Born Again”. For most of the season, Muse has operated in the shadows, but this gradual reveal has heightened suspense around Muse. At the same time, Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) exploits the public’s increasing apprehension towards masked heroes to further his political goals. In Episode 6 of “Daredevil: Born Again”, however, Muse takes center stage as a main adversary. Yet, those who read comics featuring the character from Charles Soule’s “Daredevil” run might observe that the series is adopting a fresh take on the villain.

WARNING: Spoilers below for Daredevil: Born Again Episode 6

In issue #11 of the 2016 series “Daredevil”, Muse was introduced as a formidable supervillain, boasting extraordinary powers. In Marvel Comics, this villain exhibits increased strength and speed, enabling him to physically outmatch Daredevil during confrontations. However, what sets Muse apart is his uncanny ability to evade detection by Daredevil’s radar sense, rendering himself virtually invisible to Matt Murdock’s heightened perception. This exceptional power makes Muse a particularly dangerous adversary for Daredevil, who heavily depends on his enhanced senses to navigate his blindness.

In the series “Daredevil: Born Again,” Muse, unlike traditional supernatural characters, is devoid of such elements. When Matt Murdock (played by Charlie Cox) faces off against the villain in Episode 6, it’s clear that he’s a formidable opponent, able to momentarily withstand Daredevil, Hell’s Kitchen’s Devil. However, he lacks any supernatural abilities that would make him elusive to Daredevil’s senses. Despite this alteration, the series manages to uphold essential aspects of the character’s modus operandi from the comics. For instance, Muse continues to use victims’ blood for his artistic work, mixing it with an epoxy that makes the murals difficult to remove. Furthermore, Episode 6 maintains the terrifying scope of his crimes, disclosing that over sixty individuals have been killed across New York, their blood used to create these murals. This more realistic approach aligns with the series’ overall tone while maintaining the chilling aspects that made the character so memorable in the comics.

Muse Retains the Villain’s Thematic Purpose in the MCU

Even though the new Daredevil: Born Again series changes some aspects of Muse’s abilities, it still keeps intact the character’s role in the story. The original comic book Muse came into existence during Mayor Fisk’s term, and his criminal activities led to anti-vigilante laws that affected Daredevil’s actions. Similarly, the MCU version of Muse offers Mayor Fisk a chance to institute an Anti-Vigilante Task Force, giving him more power over the city and legal tools to pursue his foes. This similarity shows how the MCU continues to emphasize Muse’s thematic relevance while adapting his personal traits.

Moreover, stripping Muse of her supernatural powers follows the gritty, realistic style typical of the live-action version of Daredevil. Unlike many other Marvel series, this show predominantly focuses on tangible dangers such as Wilson Fisk, Bullseye, and assorted criminal entities. Even in adapting The Hand, it minimized supernatural elements, disregarding the demonic aspects of the ninjas. By doing so, the “street-level” part of the MCU differs from the cosmic and magical perils encountered by other Marvel characters. This choice makes Hell’s Kitchen feel more authentic within a universe that also houses gods and aliens.

New episodes of Daredevil: Born Again premiere on Disney+ every Tuesday.

Do you feel satisfied with the way Muse is portrayed in “Daredevil: Born Again,” or do you think the Marvel Cinematic Universe version of Muse should possess supernatural powers instead? Sound off in the comment section below!

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2025-03-26 06:12