Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell Gives Matt Murdock the Dark Knight Returns Treatment

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. 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 Born Again's adaptation of his past Daredevil work.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery

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Cold Day in Hell draws comparisons to The Dark Knight Returns, but instead of the present-day Marvel Universe, it's set in a future where Matt Murdock has lost his powers, grappling with age and past traumas. He's not the only hero to retire; superheroes are largely absent. Soule explains Matt's power loss is a simple consequence of his radioactive origin. He retains his combat skills, but is essentially an ordinary older man with an extraordinary past.

This "aging hero returns" trope, seen in various Marvel titles like The End series and Old Man Logan, is potent, says Soule. It allows for a fresh perspective, stripping the hero down to essentials while creating new possibilities outside regular continuity. Cold Day in Hell creates its own corner of the Marvel Universe with a unique past, allowing Soule and McNiven to incorporate iconic elements with their own spin.

This isn't Soule and McNiven's first collaboration exploring mortality; Death of Wolverine serves as a precedent. Soule considers their work an ongoing evolution, built on mutual trust and collaborative experimentation. He describes their process as a back-and-forth "jazz" improvisation.

The series explores how supporting characters and villains have aged. While details are scarce, Soule promises major surprises.

Cold Day in Hell is designed as an accessible entry point into Daredevil comics, requiring only basic knowledge of the character's past. Familiarity with key allies and adversaries helps, but isn't essential.

Daredevil: Born Again draws inspiration from Soule's 2015-2018 run, including Mayor Fisk and Muse, and other thematic elements. Soule 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.