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 Daredevil story reminiscent of The Dark Knight Returns.
IGN spoke with Soule to learn more. Below is an exclusive preview of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1, followed by insights into the series and Soule's thoughts on the Born Again adaptation of his previous Daredevil work.
Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery
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Cold Day in Hell draws a clear comparison to The Dark Knight Returns. Set in a future Marvel Universe, Matt Murdock is older, powerless, and grappling with his past. He's not the only hero to have retired; superheroes are largely absent from this future. Soule explains that Matt's powers, stemming from radioactive exposure, have faded over time. He retains his combat skills, but is essentially an ordinary older man with an extraordinary past.
This "aging superhero returns" trope, seen in works like Old Man Logan, is potent, Soule explains. It allows for a redefinition of the character, stripping away the superhero elements to reveal the core essence. Cold Day in Hell creates a unique corner of the Marvel Universe with a distinct past, allowing for creative freedom with iconic elements.
Soule and McNiven previously collaborated on Death of Wolverine. Soule considers their projects interconnected, each building upon their collaborative experience and friendship, describing their process on Cold Day in Hell as highly collaborative and experimental.
The supporting cast and villains will undergo transformations in this future setting, promising major surprises. Soule remains tight-lipped about specifics, encouraging readers to discover these elements themselves.
Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell serves as an accessible entry point into Daredevil comics, requiring only basic knowledge of the character's history. While set in the future, the story is designed to be enjoyed by both longtime fans and newcomers.
The upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series draws inspiration from Soule's 2015-2018 run, including Mayor Fisk and Muse, and other thematic elements. Soule expresses his excitement about the adaptation, highlighting the impact of his work reaching a wider audience.
Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 releases April 2, 2025. For more on Marvel Comics in 2025, see what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and our most anticipated comics of 2025.
