Get Ready for Daredevil: Everything You Need to Know Before ‘Born Again’!

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  • Daredevil’s Origin
  • Kingpin’s History
  • Daredevil Seasons 1 Through 3 Explained

    • Season 1
    • Season 2
    • The Defenders
    • Season 3
  • What Happened to Daredevil and Kingpin After the Original Series Ended?

The character of Daredevil, one of Marvel’s most famous superheroes, made quite an impact when his self-named Netflix series launched in 2015, marking a significant moment in TV entertainment. Compared favorably to the 2003 film starring Ben Affleck, this fresh take on Daredevil ignited a brief yet thriving era of Marvel shows on Netflix, which concluded in 2019 with the arrival of the MCU’s Disney+ platform. Given the immense popularity of both the series and the character, it’s not surprising that Disney+ has approved a new nine-episode series titled “Daredevil: Born Again,” set to debut on March 4, 2025.

Rather than starting fresh, the story of Daredevil will continue from its initial three-season arc in the upcoming series titled “Daredevil: Born Again.” This new installment is welcoming back fan favorites such as Charlie Cox portraying Matt Murdock/Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio playing Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin. Furthermore, prior to the release of “Daredevil: Born Again,” shows like “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” “Hawkeye,” and “Echo” have provided updates on various characters from the canceled series.

Since the conclusion of Daredevil’s Netflix series seven years ago, it might be helpful for fans to brush up on their knowledge about the character ahead of the upcoming revival, “Daredevil: Born Again.” Here’s a recap of key points from the Daredevil storyline.

Daredevil’s Origin

Matt Murdock’s early years as a vigilante were chronicled in Daredevil, wearing a basic black suit and mask during this period. Born to boxer Jack Murdock and nun Maggie Grace, Matt believed his mother had abandoned him after her return to the church following post-partum depression. When he was nine years old, chemicals accidentally spilled into his eyes, leaving him blind.

A short while later, Matt’s father met an unfortunate end at the hands of a mobster, seeking retribution for not intentionally losing a boxing match. Matt grew up in an orphanage, where he encountered another visually impaired individual named Stick, who schooled him to hone his other senses. Stick envisioned molding and preparing Matt for potential combat in a future conflict that would later become significant in Matt’s existence.

Later on, Matt enrolls at Columbia Law School and encounters his future roommate and business partner, Franklin “Foggy” Nelson. During his college years, he also crosses paths with Elektra Natchios, a daughter of a diplomat who conceals a mysterious past. She is actually one of Stick’s trainees, assigned to persuade Matt to join the impending conflict. Matt and Elektra have a relationship that ends because Matt struggles to suppress his aggressive instincts.

Following college, Matt and Foggy established their modest law practice, Nelson & Murdock, to assist clients who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation. It was around this time that Matt took up the role of a vigilante, initially known as the Guardian of Hell’s Kitchen.

Kingpin’s History

Growing up in a working-class family, Wilson Fisk endured frequent physical and emotional abuse from his father. One fateful night, when his father was assaulting his mother, the future crime lord grabbed a hammer and ended his father’s life. To conceal their secret, Fisk’s mother helped him hide the truth, sending him to live on a farm with relatives. After some time abroad, including stints in Asia, Fisk eventually returned to New York City, determined to transform Hell’s Kitchen into a more prosperous and improved neighborhood. Throughout his criminal career, the Kingpin has sought power primarily as a means to remake New York according to his vision, which is why he aims to become Mayor of New York in the series Daredevil: Born Again.

In the 2000s, Fisk started accumulating power, forming alliances with the Tracksuit Mafia and their head, William Lopez, taking on a mentor-like role for his daughter, Maya Lopez. Tragically, her father was killed by Clint Barton, who was operating under the Ronin persona. Following this event, Kingpin molded adult Maya into one of his chief enforcers, regarding her as the closest thing to family he had.

After the Battle of New York, Fisk entered a business partnership with Eleanor Bishop due to her husband’s outstanding debts to him. In 2015, he initiated his plans to redevelop Hell’s Kitchen. During this time, Fisk encountered Vanessa Marianna, an art dealer whom he developed a deep affection for and was willing to go to great lengths for. A specific painting in her gallery, titled “Rabbit in a Snow Storm,” caught his attention. This blank canvas reminded him of the wall his father forced him to stare at during his mother’s abuse.

Daredevil Seasons 1 Through 3 Explained

Season 1

In the first season of Daredevil, we witness the transformation of Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk into their famous alter egos, Daredevil and The Kingpin. It is during this time that Matt Murdock encounters Karen Page, a woman falsely accused of murder in New York’s underworld. With the help of Matt, his friend Foggy Nelson, and journalist Ben Urich from the New York Bulletin, they manage to clear Karen’s name. Grateful for their assistance, Karen decides to work for Nelson & Murdock without charge.

In this scenario, Matt adopts his Daredevil identity to pursue Fisk, with Foggy, Karen, and Ben Urich joining forces to uncover Fisk’s past. This investigation eventually leads to Urich being murdered by Fisk when he learns that the reporter spoke with his mother. The climax involves a thrilling showdown between Kingpin and Daredevil, who now dons his trademark red suit. Ultimately, Fisk is apprehended, and the people of New York bestow Matt’s alternate persona with the title of Daredevil.

Season 2

Season 2 of this series divides into two distinct storylines. It commences with numerous criminal groups being ruthlessly slain, which initially appears to be an all-out gang war. However, what’s unfolding is actually a one-man crusade against crime by Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher. This character seeks vengeance due to the tragic death of his family at the hands of gang violence. In Episode 4, following several intense battles and thoughtful conversations between Daredevil and The Punisher, Castle is apprehended by the police and his trial becomes a significant aspect of the season.

In the midst of Matt’s responsibilities for the Punisher case and a potential blossoming relationship with Karen Page, Elektra resurfaces in his life. She requires Matt’s aid in probing a perplexing excavation site in New York, connected to the sinister ninja-death cult, The Hand. Consequently, Matt finds himself tugged between handling the Punisher case and delving deeper into Elektra’s investigation, ultimately pouring more effort into her predicament. Tragically, Elektra perishes in combat, leading Matt Murdock to contemplate abandoning his role as Daredevil. However, before he makes this decision, he confides his secret to Karen Page. Meanwhile, The Punisher manages to break free from prison, partly due to the machinations of Wilson Fisk / The Kingpin, and embarks on a fresh mission to expose a sinister plot behind the demise of his family.

The Defenders

In the series The Defenders, the narrative unfolds as Daredevil’s journey continues, this time in a crossover event comprising eight episodes that also features Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist. The four extraordinary characters discover links they share among each other, one significant connection being that Danny Rand, or Iron Fist, is meant to lead The Chaste, the same organization Stick attempted to enlist Daredevil and Elektra into.

Intriguingly, Elektra is brought back to life by The Hand, not as an ordinary person, but as The Black Sky, a formidable weapon.

Initially mindless, Elektra recovers and assumes leadership. In an intense battle, Daredevil and Elektra clash, but Matt’s affection for Elektra ultimately prevails. Tragically, they both perish as a structure collapses upon them. Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, along with Foggy and Karen, presume Matt Murdock dead. However, the story concludes with Matt being discovered in a hospital bed within a church, under his mother’s care.

Season 3

In Daredevil Season 3, Matt grapples with the decision to step away from his life as the vigilante Daredevil, but this choice strains his relationships with those around him, including walking away from his religious beliefs when he learns that Sister Mary was actually his mother and his entire life had been a lie. Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk finds himself cooperating with the FBI, managing to persuade them to transfer him to a fortified penthouse, where he will be under house arrest due to the risks he faces in prison.

Nevertheless, it appears that Fisk’s actions were merely a ruse to escape prison and move into a place where he could extort several FBI members. While under house arrest, he seems to be the one pulling the strings, manipulating and intimidating enough people to have all charges dropped, allowing him to marry Vanessa. Initially, Matt Murdock attempted to prosecute Fisk but failed. In desperation, he resumed his role as Daredevil to thwart Fisk. However, Kingpin has introduced a complication: he’s hired an FBI agent with a penchant for murder to impersonate Daredevil and commit crimes, thereby damaging Daredevil’s reputation.

In the finale of Season 3, Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk found themselves in an uneasy partnership. Throughout the series, it became a pattern that a new character would uncover Matt’s secret identity; Foggy found out midway through Season 1, Karen at the end of Season 2, and Fisk in the middle of Season 3. With his arch-nemesis aware of his hidden identity and potentially threatening those dear to him, Matt initially contemplates taking Fisk’s life. However, after a grueling confrontation, Daredevil restrains himself as his Catholic faith in redemption and abstaining from taking a life takes hold. In the end, he strikes a deal with Fisk.

To spare Fisk’s wife Vanessa from legal charges, Matt Murdock agreed not to pursue Fisk for his crimes. In return, Fisk consented to go to prison, leaving Vanessa to oversee Fisk’s estate. Earlier in the season, Vanessa had murdered a key witness of Matt’s who was set to testify against Fisk.

What Happened to Daredevil and Kingpin After the Original Series Ended?

Because of Netflix’s agreement with Marvel over The Defenders Saga production, Marvel was unable to utilize any of these characters for two years following their show cancellations. This meant that Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist were out of commission until 2020, while Jessica Jones and The Punisher became accessible to Marvel in 2021. Once the deadline passed, Marvel started reintroducing the most popular series, Daredevil, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Over the course of two consecutive days, Marvel enthusiasts witnessed the reappearance of Daredevil and Kingpin within the Marvel Cinematic Universe in distinct ventures. On December 15, 2021, the penultimate episode of Hawkeye concluded with the unveiling that the antagonist behind the series was none other than The Kingpin, with Vincent D’Onofrio reprising his role. The following day, Spider-Man: No Way Home hit theaters, and Charlie Cox made a guest appearance as Matt Murdock, alluding to his Daredevil persona.

In 2022, Daredevil made a special appearance on She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, showcasing a more laid-back aspect of his character. He developed a short-lived romance with Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk, another attorney superhero. Later, in a spin-off series titled Echo (based on Hawkeye), it was revealed that Maya Lopez, Fisk’s adopted niece, learned that Wilson Fisk and Matt Murdock survived Thanos’ snap. After discovering Fisk had betrayed her father and caused his death, Maya Lopez shot Fisk, leaving him critically wounded at the end of Hawkeye.

In the storyline, Fisk recuperates and considers reconnecting with Maya Lopez. However, she refuses him, which provokes a violent response from Fisk, as he attacks her family. To defend herself, Maya employs her ancestral powers to induce an otherworldly trip within Fisk, delving into the deepest recesses of his subconscious. This experience significantly unsettles Fisk, causing Maya to board a flight bound for New York City. As he watches news about the approaching New York Mayoral election on TV, this sequence of events sets up the plot for “Daredevil: Born Again”.

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2025-03-01 21:33