How Spider-Man’s Absence in Daredevil: Born Again Could Break the MCU Continuity!

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Marvel’s “Daredevil: Born Again” has once again set the tone for the grittier, street-level side of the MCU, with its raw depiction of corruption and vigilantism in New York City. Throughout the series, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) has hinted at several masked heroes patrolling the city, including a casual reference to Spider-Man during his mayoral inauguration speech in Episode 2. This subtle nod implies that Spidey is still swinging through the city following the mind-bending finale of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” where Doctor Strange’s spell wiped clean Peter Parker (Tom Holland) from everyone’s memory.

Although it’s been officially confirmed that Spider-Man will continue his adventures, he hasn’t made an appearance in the first season of “Born Again”. This has sparked speculation about how future Spider-Man movies will explain this gap. The legal complexities between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures over the character’s film rights offer a real-world explanation, but the in-story rationale needs further exploration, especially since “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is set to premiere in July 2026. The lack of Spider-Man becomes particularly intriguing given that the season finale of “Daredevil: Born Again” saw Wilson Fisk assuming the role of a martial law mayor across New York City, which could pose challenges for Spider-Man’s return.

WARNING: Spoilers below for Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Episode 10

Following an assassination attempt on him and the death of Commissioner Gallo (Michael Gaston), Fisk capitalizes on public fear by introducing his “Safer Streets” initiative. This move outlaws all vigilante actions and enforces a citywide 8 p.m. curfew. To maintain control, he establishes an Anti-Vigilante Task Force – a group of unchecked police officers without body cameras or accountability. Effectively, this is a heavily armed unit meant to suppress anyone challenging his power. The series concludes with Daredevil (Charlie Cox) initiating a resistance movement against Fisk’s oppressive government, rallying allies at Josie’s Bar to reclaim their city.

In the spirit of characters like Spider-Man, who strongly uphold the belief that “with great power comes great responsibility,” it seems unusual for him to overlook such blatant misuse of authority. If Peter Parker is truly patrolling the streets of New York as a neighborhood vigilante, as Fisk’s speech suggests, then his lack of involvement in this conflict calls for a convincing explanation. This is particularly puzzling given that Spider-Man would likely be a prime target in Fisk’s crackdown, making his non-involvement a matter of self-preservation.

Given the rumors surrounding Spider-Man: Brand New Day being set predominantly in New York City and following after the events of Born Again Season 1, the storyline can’t afford to overlook the significant shifts in the city’s political climate without causing continuity issues. The plot thickens when we consider that Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again appears to draw inspiration from the “Devil’s Reign” comic book storyline, which heavily involved Spider-Man as a key figure in the resistance against Mayor Fisk.

What Role Does Spider-Man Play in the “Devil’s Reign” Storyline?

The December 2021 to May 2022 comic book series titled “Devil’s Reign” has Peter Parker, Spider-Man, sidelined due to radiation sickness, leaving room for two other characters to step up: Ben Reilly and Miles Morales. Ben Reilly, a clone of Peter Parker, is now the corporate-backed Spider-Man, supported by Beyond Corporation, while Miles Morales continues his heroics as the New York Spider-Man independent of any corporation. In this storyline, both characters break the law to act as vigilantes since Fisk has outlawed superhero activity, putting them in a precarious position where they must protect citizens illegally.

In the second season of “Daredevil: Born Again,” if it loosely adheres to “Devil’s Reign,” we can anticipate Spider-Man teaming up with other street-level heroes against Fisk’s enforcers, all while secretly working to offset the mayor’s technological edge. Consequently, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” might depict either Peter discovering Fisk’s tyranny before these events or portray his viewpoint during the resistance movement. Both storylines should reflect the altered state of New York under Fisk’s authoritarian control.

In “Devil’s Reign,” the storyline presents an intriguing angle on how Spider-Man is perceived by the public. Since he’s now an outlaw operating against a democratically elected mayor, who may be corrupt, Spider-Man finds himself in a morally challenging situation that tests his dedication to heroism. This moral dilemma could fit perfectly with MCU’s Peter Parker, who remains unrecognized as his civilian self. With his personal relationships and support system gone, Peter might be especially susceptible to the public turning against Spider-Man during Fisk’s propaganda blitz.

Regardless of the direction the filmmakers choose, it’s indisputable. Following the climactic ending of Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, the upcoming Spider-Man film has a crucial task at hand. It needs to make clear where Peter Parker has been during one of New York City’s most critical crises. Failing to do so could weaken the integrated essence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that viewers have grown accustomed to and admire.

Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again is fully available on Disney+.

💬 What’s your take on how Spider-Man: Fresh Start might tie into Season 2 of Daredevil: Rebirth? Feel free to share your thoughts and predictions below!

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2025-04-27 06:11