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The devil is in the details, right? Matt Murdock is back, and Hell’s Kitchen isn’t ready for what’s coming. But why did Daredevil retire in Born Again? The answer lies in a mix of emotional exhaustion, past trauma, and a yearning for normalcy. The first glimpses of Daredevil: Born Again suggest a man caught between worlds, his vigilante past, and the fragile attempt at a “normal” life. But can someone like him have a normal life? And what is normal, anyway? Is this truly a rebirth or just the calm before the storm?
A devil "dead inside": Trauma as an antagonist
Charlie Cox himself described Matt Murdock as being “dead inside,” and honestly, it tracks. It’s a sentiment that echoes the journey of another retired fighter, John Wick, who also tried to leave his violent past behind only to be pulled back in by forces beyond his control.
The weight of losing Elektra, the emotional scars of Wilson Fisk’s manipulations, and the constant physical toll of his double life have left Matt shattered. Hell’s Kitchen reflects this inner turmoil, a city as battered and bruised as its protector.
Matt’s decision to step away feels like a desperate gasp for survival. Theorists say trauma does not define us. We are the ones that use them as props. Whatever his case is, Matt's decisions were taken after enduring brutal losses and emotional betrayals. Oh, and near-constant physical pain.
The haunting shadow of Elektra
A tragic love story
Elektra’s absence, or perhaps presence, could loom large over Matt’s choices. Their love has always been marked by tragedy as if no spring could ever break through their winter.
This sentiment stayed with me since I first read their story at age eight in Frank Miller’s Elektra Saga, starting with Daredevil #168 (1981). This arc introduced Elektra as both Matt’s greatest love and deepest wound, encapsulated by the line “There will never be a spring in our winter,” which perfectly captures the doomed beauty of their bond.
The mirror to Matt’s soul
As his equal in both love and chaos, Elektra has always been a mirror to Matt’s darkest impulses and brightest moments. What does her return mean?
Could Elektra’s memory or return push Matt to face who he truly is? She was his equal in love and chaos. Will it be the spark for his inner turmoil, or is Matt (finally) learning to live without her? Either way, Elektra’s role in Born Again may reshape Matt’s grief and desires. Her influence shaped him into the man and vigilante he is, blending his emotional vulnerability with his strength. Without her, Matt’s identity feels incomplete, like a wound that won’t heal. Could Elektra’s memory, or her return, push Matt to confront his essence?
Friends as lifelines: Karen and Foggy's role
In contrast to his inner chaos, these images of Matt with Karen and Foggy show a rare moment of warmth (yet with a serious palette). But is it peace or a fragile reprieve? Their bond has always been Matt’s strength and his weakness.
Karen, with her own trauma and resilience, deepens this dynamic in both inspiring and heartbreaking ways. Foggy, often optimistic, has carried Matt’s burdens, sometimes at the cost of his own stability. Together, Karen and Foggy are the fragile lifeline keeping Matt grounded.
But can these friendships survive Matt’s push and pull with his alter ego? And what about women like Claire or Elektra? Could their return complicate this delicate balance? Karen and Foggy are Matt’s lifelines, but in Hell’s Kitchen, even lifelines can fray.
But is this a snapshot of peace or a fragile reprieve? The trio’s bond has always been both Matt’s strength and his Achilles’ heel. How far will his retirement go to protect them, and at what cost?
Born again or dragged back?
The legacy of Born Again
Born Again is a famous arc from the Daredevil comics, written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, published in Daredevil #227-#233 (1986). In this storyline, Matt Murdock’s life is systematically destroyed by Wilson Fisk, forcing him into a journey of redemption and rebirth.
Breaking the shell of identity
Life is full of deaths and rebirths, like mini Ragnaröks. Matt Murdock lives this more than most. As Hermann Hesse wrote in Demian, "To be born again, one must break through the shell."
Matt’s journey is about shedding one identity to take on another. While many fall, Matt rises like a phoenix from his pain. Born Again suggests redemption but also an ominous weight. What if it’s not about rebirth in the light but being pulled back into the dark?
The world post-Blip, referring to the catastrophic event where half the population vanished and returned (as seen in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame), is more fractured than ever, and Hell’s Kitchen may demand the Devil once again. Will this rebirth be a result of choice or a sad, inevitable fact?
Trauma, faith, and the eternal conflict
Matt’s faith has always been his compass and his tormentor. Could Born Again signal a deeper spiritual journey, one where he grapples with the idea that being Daredevil is both his greatest sin and his divine purpose?
His Catholic guilt has long been a defining trait, fueling both his heroism and his self-doubt. This internal struggle, central to Matt’s character, was profoundly explored in the Born Again comic arc and the Netflix series, where his actions as a vigilante constantly clash with his religious beliefs.
In Born Again, Matt may find himself wrestling not only with his own morality but also with the question of whether his suffering is a necessary sacrifice for the greater good. Hell’s Kitchen itself becomes his purgatory, a reflection of his internal battle between salvation and damnation.
In Spider-Man: No Way Home, his lawyer instincts spoke volumes louder than Daredevil's. During Born Again, Matt may question his morals and decide if his pain is worth it for the greater good. Would his return as Daredevil be a way for him to make amends, or will it make him hurt himself even more? This look at faith and purpose will add to the complexity of a character who is already very complicated.
Surrounded by Karen and Foggy, Matt’s world isn’t entirely devoid of connection. This dynamic shows a Daredevil-less Hell’s Kitchen where Matt is leaning on his friends to keep himself grounded. But how long can this fragile balance hold before the city demands its devil once more?
Crime simmers like an unwatched pot, threatening to boil over and scorch everything in its path. It’s a recipe for disaster that only Matt Murdock—the lawyer or the vigilante—might be able to temper. Can Matt Murdock truly live as just a lawyer, or will the city drag him back, one rooftop at a time?
Conclusion: The cost of being reborn
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Whatever Daredevil: Born Again teaches us, it's that being reborn equals pain, loss, and change. Matt Murdock is at a crossing where each choice hurts him more than the last. It's not just a fight for him; Hell's Kitchen is his purgatory, a place where the line between heaven and hell is fuzzy. His past burns away, shaping him into who he must become. Will he save the city, or will the fire leave only ashes?
The Devil may rise again, but the man beneath the mask will pay the price. Daredevil: Born Again shows us that rebirth means pain, sacrifice, and transformation. After all, one thing seems clear: in Hell's Kitchen, not even the Devil can rest forever.
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