Daredevil's Hellish New Arc: A Dark Knight-Style Showdown

It's a great time to be a Daredevil fan! The Netflix series continues with Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, and Marvel Comics launches a new miniseries, Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell, reuniting writer Charles Soule and artist Steve McNiven. This series offers a compelling premise: a Dark Knight Returns-esque story for Daredevil.

IGN spoke with Soule about this new direction for Matt Murdock. First, check out the exclusive preview of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 in the gallery below, then read on for more details and Soule's thoughts on Born Again's adaptation of his previous Daredevil work.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery

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The comparison to The Dark Knight Returns is apt. Cold Day in Hell is set in a future where Matt Murdock has lost his powers, grappling with age and past traumas. He's not the only hero to retire in this futuristic Marvel Universe.

Soule explains, "Matt's older. The idea is he left superhero life behind years ago. Not just him; superheroes are largely gone in this world. His powers faded over time, a consequence of his radioactive origin. He's an ordinary older man with an extraordinary past he's tried to leave behind."

This "aging hero returns" trope is common, seen in various Marvel titles like The End series and Old Man Logan. Soule notes the potent effect of showing familiar characters at unfamiliar life stages, clarifying their essence. He adds, "What persists when his superhero abilities vanish? Does he need to be Daredevil? This lets you strip the hero down to essentials while creating new, fun ideas outside regular continuity."

Cold Day in Hell creates its own Marvel corner with a recent catastrophic event affecting characters and the story. Soule and McNiven incorporate iconic Marvel elements with their unique spin, inspired by other similar stories.

Soule and McNiven previously collaborated on Death of Wolverine. Asked about Cold Day in Hell as a companion piece, Soule says, "I think everything we do together is a companion piece. Our collaboration is an evolution of our ability to work together and our friendship. This book was extremely collaborative—a back-and-forth discussion throughout the process. Steve called it ‘jazz,’ and I think that's fitting. I'm proud of all our work, but this one stands out."

The story explores how Daredevil's supporting cast and villains have aged. Soule teases major surprises in this regard, but remains tight-lipped on specifics. "That's part of what people will tune in for."

Given its timing, Cold Day in Hell seems designed to capitalize on Born Again. Soule confirms its accessibility as a gateway into Daredevil comics, requiring only basic knowledge of the character. "It helps if you know some key adversaries and allies, but you don't have to."

Regarding Born Again, Soule confirms its inspiration from his 2015-2018 Daredevil run, including elements beyond Mayor Fisk and Muse. "Mayor Fisk and Muse, yes, but other elements too, particularly thematic things. Seeing these ideas reach so many people... it's wonderful. I think fans will enjoy the show."

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 releases April 2, 2025. For more on Marvel Comics, check out what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and our most anticipated comics of 2025.