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. This series reunites Death of Wolverine writer Charles Soule and artist Steve McNiven, offering a compelling premise: Daredevil gets his own 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 past Daredevil work.
Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery
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The Dark Knight Returns comparison is apt. Cold Day in Hell isn't set in the present-day Marvel Universe; instead, it depicts an older Matt Murdock, stripped of his powers, grappling with age and past traumas. He's not alone; superheroes are largely absent in this future. Soule explains Matt's absence stems from his powers fading over time, leaving him a skilled but ordinary older man with an extraordinary past.
This "aging hero returns" trope is common, seen in various Marvel titles. Soule explains its appeal: "For me, the tonal switcheroo you get when you show familiar characters at unfamiliar points in their lives can be a really potent way to define them in new ways for readers. It also lets you define them more clearly. What parts of Matt Murdock persist when his ability to be a super hero in the traditional sense vanishes? He's clearly not Daredevil when we begin - does he need to be?"
Cold Day in Hell unfolds in a unique corner of the Marvel Universe, impacted by past events. This allows Soule and McNiven to create new elements while putting their spin on iconic Marvel aspects.
This isn't Soule and McNiven's first collaboration on a story about mortality; Death of Wolverine (2014) shares a similar theme. Soule views their projects as interconnected evolutions of their collaboration and friendship. He describes Cold Day in Hell as particularly collaborative, a back-and-forth process resulting in a unique final product.
The story explores how Daredevil's supporting cast and villains have aged, promising surprises. While Soule remains tight-lipped, he hints at significant developments.
Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1, timed with Born Again, serves as an accessible entry point into Daredevil comics, requiring only basic knowledge of the character.
Soule confirms Born Again draws inspiration from his 2015-2018 run, including Mayor Fisk and Muse, but also thematic elements. He expresses his excitement about these ideas 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.
