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

It's an exciting time to be a fan of Daredevil, with the live-action series continuing on Disney+ with "Daredevil: Born Again" and a new comic miniseries, "Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell," hitting the shelves. This comic reunites writer Charles Soule and artist Steve McNiven, who previously worked together on "Death of Wolverine." "Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell" promises to be a thrilling take on the superhero genre, reminiscent of "The Dark Knight Returns," as it explores a future where Matt Murdock has lost his powers and is dealing with the challenges of aging and his tumultuous past.

IGN had the opportunity to discuss this new series with Charles Soule via email. Before diving into the details, take a look at an exclusive preview of "Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1" in the slideshow gallery below, and then continue reading for insights into the series and Soule's thoughts on his previous Daredevil work being adapted for "Born Again."

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery

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The comparison to "The Dark Knight Returns" is apt, as "Cold Day in Hell" unfolds in a future where Matt Murdock has not only lost his powers due to the fading effects of the radioactive substance that once empowered him but also retired from his superhero life. In this future Marvel Universe, superheroes are a thing of the past, and Matt is an older man who has moved on from his Daredevil days, relying solely on his combat training, which he hasn't used in years.

Soule explains, "Matt's older, for sure. We don't get specific with it, but the idea is that he left superhero life behind many years ago. Not just him, either - in the world of Cold Day In Hell, superheroes are long gone, at least in comparison to the way they operate in the present-day Marvel Universe."

The concept of an aging superhero returning to action is a well-trodden path in comics, from "The End" titles to "Old Man Logan." Soule finds this trope compelling because it allows for a fresh perspective on familiar characters. "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.

"Cold Day In Hell" is set in its own corner of the Marvel Universe, where the aftermath of past tragedies shapes the narrative and characters. Soule and McNiven have the creative freedom to introduce new elements while putting their unique spin on iconic Marvel components.

This isn't the first time Soule and McNiven have explored the theme of a superhero confronting mortality; they previously tackled this in "Death of Wolverine." Soule views their collaborations as an evolving partnership, with "Cold Day in Hell" being a particularly collaborative effort, described by McNiven as "jazz."

One of the intriguing aspects of stories like "Cold Day in Hell" is seeing how the hero's supporting cast and villains have aged. While Soule remains tight-lipped about specific roles, he hints at major surprises for fans.

With "Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1" set to release around the same time as "Born Again," Marvel is clearly leveraging the excitement around the show. Soule believes the comic can serve as an accessible entry point into the Daredevil universe, even for those new to the character, as long as they know the basics about Matt Murdock.

Regarding "Born Again," Soule's 2015-2018 run on the Daredevil comics has influenced the series, particularly with elements like Wilson Fisk becoming mayor of New York and the villain Muse. Soule has seen the entire season and is thrilled to see his work adapted for a broader audience. "The thought that these ideas will be reaching that many people, when I can still remember writing them down in my red Daredevil notebook almost a decade ago now as things that might be cool... what a wonderful thing," he says.

"Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1" is set to be released on April 2, 2025. For more on upcoming Marvel Comics, check out what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and see our most anticipated comics of 2025.