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's own version of The Dark Knight Returns.

IGN spoke with Soule to learn more. See an exclusive preview of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 in the gallery below, then read on for insights into the series and Soule's thoughts on his past Daredevil work influencing Born Again.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery

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The easiest comparison is The Dark Knight Returns. Instead of the present-day Marvel Universe, Cold Day in Hell unfolds years later, with Matt Murdock powerless, grappling with age and past traumas. He's not the only hero to retire in this future; superheroes are largely absent. Soule explains Matt's absence simply: his radioactive powers have faded. He retains his combat skills, but he's essentially an ordinary older man with an extraordinary past.

This "aging superhero returns" trope is common, seen in various Marvel titles like The End series and Old Man Logan. Soule notes the effectiveness of showing familiar characters in unfamiliar circumstances, highlighting their core traits. It allows stripping away the superhero facade while creating unique, non-continuity-bound narratives. Cold Day in Hell uses iconic Marvel elements with a fresh spin, building on the themes of other similar stories.

This isn't Soule and McNiven's first collaboration on mortality themes; Death of Wolverine (2014) similarly explored this. Soule considers their projects interconnected, each building on their collaboration and friendship. Cold Day in Hell involved extensive collaboration, a back-and-forth process resulting in a unique, "jazz-like" approach.

The story explores how Daredevil's supporting cast and villains have aged. While Soule remains tight-lipped, he promises significant surprises.

Given the timing, Cold Day in Hell capitalizes on Born Again's debut. Soule believes it's an accessible entry point into Daredevil comics, requiring only basic knowledge of the character. Familiarity with key allies and adversaries is helpful but not essential.

Born Again draws inspiration from Soule's 2015-2018 run, including Mayor Fisk and Muse, along with other thematic elements. Soule, having seen the entire season, expresses excitement about the adaptation, highlighting the reach of his past work.

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