"Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell Echoes The Dark Knight Returns for Matt Murdock"

It’s an exhilarating time for Daredevil fans. The beloved character is set to return in the highly anticipated Disney+ series, Daredevil: Born Again, continuing the narrative from the Netflix adaptation. Meanwhile, on the comic book front, Marvel is launching a thrilling new miniseries titled Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell. This series reunites the acclaimed writer Charles Soule with artist Steve McNiven, previously known for their work on Death of Wolverine. With a premise that echoes the iconic The Dark Knight Returns, Cold Day in Hell promises to offer a fresh and captivating take on the life of Matt Murdock.

IGN had the opportunity to discuss this exciting development with Charles Soule via email. Before delving into the details, take a moment to explore an exclusive preview of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 in the slideshow gallery below. Then, continue reading to learn more about the series and Soule's reflections on his past work being adapted for Born Again.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery

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Drawing parallels to The Dark Knight Returns, Cold Day in Hell unfolds in a future where Matt Murdock has lost his powers and is confronting the challenges of aging and the lingering effects of his tumultuous past. Soule shared with IGN, “Matt's older, for sure. We don't get specific with it, but the idea is that he left super hero life behind many years ago. Not just him, either - in the world of Cold Day In Hell, super heroes are long gone, at least in comparison to the way they operate in the present-day Marvel Universe.” The reason for Matt's retirement from the Daredevil mantle is rooted in the natural decay of his radioactive-induced powers, leaving him as an ordinary older man with an extraordinary history he has tried to move beyond.

The concept of an aging superhero returning to action is a familiar one in comics, as seen in various Marvel titles like The End series and Old Man Logan. Soule explains the appeal of this narrative, stating, “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?”

Cold Day in Hell takes place in a unique corner of the Marvel Universe, marked by recent catastrophic events that continue to influence the characters and the storyline. Soule and McNiven are excited to introduce new elements while paying homage to iconic Marvel staples, creating a story that stands out in their collaborative portfolio. Soule reflects on their partnership, saying, “I think everything we do together is in some ways a companion piece to everything we've done. I've been truly fortunate to work with Steve as much as I have.”

The allure of Cold Day in Hell also lies in exploring how Daredevil's supporting cast and adversaries have evolved over time. While Soule is cautious about revealing too much, he promises significant surprises for readers. He teased, “Don't want to say more than that, though - that stuff is part of what I think people are going to tune in for.”

With Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 set to release on April 2, 2025, it's clear Marvel is leveraging the excitement surrounding the Born Again series. Soule believes the new comic can serve as an entry point for new readers, explaining, “It's designed as a story people can pick up and enjoy if they know the most basic things about Daredevil and his past - blind, Catholic lawyer who had super-senses and ninja training at one time, but now he doesn't.”

On the topic of Born Again, Soule confirmed that the series draws inspiration from his 2015-2018 run on Daredevil, including elements like Wilson Fisk becoming mayor of New York City and the villain Muse. Soule expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I've been fortunate enough to see the entire season of Daredevil: Born Again, and can confirm that the work I did with Ron Garney and my other amazing collaborators during my Daredevil run in the comics is all over the show. Mayor Fisk and Muse, yep, but other elements too, particularly just the thematic things we were playing with back in 2015-2018.”

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 will be available on April 2, 2025. For more on what's coming from Marvel Comics, check out what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and see our most anticipated comics of 2025.