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
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Cold Day in Hell draws comparisons to The Dark Knight Returns. Instead of the present-day Marvel Universe, this story unfolds years later, with Matt Murdock having lost his powers and grappling with age and past traumas. He’s not alone; superheroes are largely absent from this future. Matt's powers faded over time, a consequence of his radioactive origin. 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 explains this recurring theme's appeal: it allows for a potent redefinition of familiar characters, stripping them down to their essentials while creating new possibilities outside regular continuity. Cold Day in Hell creates its own corner of the Marvel Universe, with a unique past influencing the characters and story, allowing Soule and McNiven to create new elements while putting their own spin on iconic Marvel aspects.
This isn't Soule and McNiven's first collaboration on a story exploring mortality; Death of Wolverine serves as a precedent. Soule considers their work together an evolution, built on mutual trust and collaborative experimentation. He describes their process as a “jazz” style collaboration, evident in the final product.
The story explores how Daredevil's supporting cast and villains have aged. While Soule remains tight-lipped, he promises major surprises.
Given the timing, Cold Day in Hell capitalizes on Born Again's debut. Soule confirms its accessibility as a gateway to Daredevil comics, requiring only basic knowledge of the character.
Born Again draws inspiration from Soule's 2015-2018 run, including Mayor Fisk and Muse, and other thematic elements. Soule expresses pride in seeing these ideas adapted for a wider audience.
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.
