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. Below is an exclusive preview of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1, followed by insights into the series and Soule's thoughts on his past Daredevil work's adaptation in Born Again.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery

6 Images

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, powerless Matt Murdock grappling with age and past traumas. He's not alone; superheroes are largely absent in this future. Soule explains Matt's loss of powers stems from the fading effects of the radioactive accident that gave him his abilities. He's an ordinary older man with an extraordinary past he's tried to leave behind.

This "aging hero returns" trope is common, seen in various Marvel titles like The End series and Old Man Logan. Soule notes the effectiveness of this approach: "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," he says. It allows for a stripped-down portrayal of the hero while also generating creative freedom outside regular continuity.

Cold Day in Hell unfolds in a unique corner of the Marvel Universe, where past events have lasting consequences. Soule and McNiven creatively utilize iconic Marvel elements while adding their own spin.

This isn't Soule and McNiven's first collaboration exploring mortality; Death of Wolverine shares a similar premise. Soule considers their projects companion pieces, each building on their collaborative evolution and friendship. He describes their process on Cold Day in Hell as highly collaborative, a back-and-forth exchange resulting in a unique final product.

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

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 is timed to coincide with Born Again, potentially serving as an accessible entry point to Daredevil comics. Soule believes it's enjoyable even with basic Daredevil knowledge.

Born Again draws inspiration from Soule's 2015-2018 run, including Mayor Fisk and Muse. Soule confirms further thematic elements from his run are incorporated. He expresses excitement about his ideas reaching a wider audience through the show.

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.