Daredevil: Born Again – Essential Character Primer
In this episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew Fox and comic book expert Jessica Plummer break down everything you need to know about Daredevil before watching Daredevil: Born Again. Whether you’re new to the character or just need a refresher on the Netflix series, this primer covers the essential elements that make Matt Murdock one of Marvel’s most compelling characters.
Who is Daredevil, and what makes him unique?
Matt Murdock lost his sight as a child when toxic waste enhanced his other senses to superhuman levels. By day, he’s a defense attorney at Nelson & Murdock with his best friend, Foggy Nelson. By night, he’s Daredevil, a vigilante who uses his enhanced senses and ninja training to protect Hell’s Kitchen. What separates Matt from other heroes is his constant moral struggle and complete lack of impulse control—he desperately wants to do the right thing but often makes impulsive decisions that damage his relationships and career.
What role does Catholicism play in Daredevil’s story?
Matt’s Catholic faith provides the moral framework for his vigilante actions. The show portrays his religious struggle authentically without reducing it to stereotypes. His conversations with his priest highlight his central conflict: “Are you afraid that you will have to kill this man and you don’t want to? Or are you afraid that you won’t have to kill this man and you want to?” This question encapsulates Matt’s internal battle between justice and vengeance.
How does Daredevil balance his dual life as lawyer and vigilante?
The constant tension between working within the system as a defense attorney and operating outside it as a vigilante defines Matt’s character. Season one explores whether he can trust the legal system to handle Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) or must take matters into his own hands. This struggle affects everyone in his life, especially Foggy Nelson, who keeps their law practice running while Matt disappears to fight crime.
Other topics discussed:
- How the Netflix series portrays Hell’s Kitchen and its gentrification
- Matt Murdock’s complicated romantic relationships and flirtatious tendencies
- The portrayal of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin and his relationship with Vanessa
- The importance of Foggy Nelson as Matt’s moral center and best friend
- How Daredevil’s disability is represented in the series
- The connections between the Netflix series and the upcoming Disney+ show
- The role of supporting characters like Karen Page and Claire Temple
- How the Punisher serves as a foil to Daredevil’s moral code
The hosts wrap up by highlighting the unique male friendship between Matt and Foggy, noting how rare it is to see such emotionally complex male friendships portrayed on screen. As Daredevil: Born Again approaches, this primer gives viewers everything they need to understand what makes the Man Without Fear such a compelling and conflicted hero in the Marvel universe.
Links
- Check out more of Jessica’s work.
- Read her short story in Sword, Stone, Table, alongside works by other great authors. (Using this link helps support the podcast!)
