It's an exhilarating time for fans of the Man Without Fear, Daredevil. Not only is the beloved character getting a new lease on life with the upcoming Disney+ series, Daredevil: Born Again, but Marvel Comics is also launching a thrilling new miniseries titled Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell. This series brings together the dynamic duo of writer Charles Soule and artist Steve McNiven, who previously collaborated on the acclaimed Death of Wolverine. The premise of Cold Day in Hell is intriguing: it's been pitched as Daredevil's very own version of The Dark Knight Returns, a classic tale of an aging superhero returning to action.
IGN had the opportunity to delve into this exciting project with Soule via email. Before we dive into the details, don't miss the exclusive preview of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 in the slideshow gallery below. After soaking in the visuals, read on to learn more about the series and Soule's thoughts on his past Daredevil work being adapted into Born Again.
Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 Preview Gallery
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Drawing parallels to The Dark Knight Returns is apt, as Cold Day in Hell unfolds in a future where Matt Murdock has lost his powers and is dealing with the challenges of old age alongside the lingering shadows of his tumultuous past. Soule shared with IGN that in this story's universe, superheroes are relics of a bygone era, with Matt having left his Daredevil persona far behind. "Matt's older, for sure," Soule explained. "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 reason behind Matt's retirement from his Daredevil identity is straightforward yet poignant. As Soule notes, "As we all know, Matt got his powers by being accidentally dosed with radioactive goop. Radioactivity fades with time, and in this story, the idea is that over time Matt's powers faded away too. He's still got all his combat training, but he hasn't used it for a very long time. He is, to put it pretty plainly, an ordinary older man with an extraordinary past that he's worked quite hard to move beyond. At least, that's our status quo as we begin."
The theme of an aging superhero returning to the fray isn't new, having been explored in various Marvel titles like The End series and Old Man Logan. Soule sees this narrative as a powerful tool for character exploration. "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 remarked. "It also lets you define them more clearly. What parts of Matt Murdock persist when his ability to be a superhero in the traditional sense vanishes? He's clearly not Daredevil when we begin - does he need to be?"
Soule elaborated on the setting of Cold Day in Hell, emphasizing its distinct place within the Marvel Universe. "Cold Day In Hell takes place in its own corner of the Marvel Universe where terrible things have happened in the somewhat recent past, the after-effects of which resonate through the lives of the characters and the story. So, Steve and I get to make up a bunch of cool new things that use iconic Marvel elements, while also putting our own spin on all of them."
This isn't the first time Soule and McNiven have tackled themes of mortality and legacy with a Marvel hero. Their previous collaboration on Death of Wolverine also explored these themes. When asked if Cold Day in Hell could be seen as a companion piece to Death of Wolverine, Soule responded, "I think everything we do together is in some ways a companion piece to everything we've done. I've been truly fortunate to work with Steve as much as I have. From the Wolverine stories, to Uncanny Inhumans, to Star Wars, and now Daredevil, I think everything we've done is an evolution of our ability to work together, and our friendship outside the comics."
One of the most engaging aspects of stories like Cold Day in Hell is seeing how the hero's allies and adversaries have evolved over time. Soule hinted at significant surprises for Daredevil's supporting cast and villains but remained tight-lipped on specifics. "Don't want to say more than that, though - that stuff is part of what I think people are going to tune in for."
With the release of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 coinciding with the buzz around the Born Again series, it's clear that Marvel is leveraging this moment to attract new and returning fans. Soule believes that Cold Day in Hell can serve as an entry point into Daredevil's world, even for those less familiar with his extensive comic history. "I think so! It's designed as a story people can pick up and enjoy if they know the most basic things about Daredevil and his past - blind, Catholic lawyer who had super-senses and ninja training at one time, but now he doesn't. It probably helps if you know a bit about some of the key adversaries and allies in Matt Murdock's orbit, but you don't have to."
Speaking of Born Again, it's evident that the series draws inspiration from Soule's 2015-2018 run on the Daredevil comics. Elements like Wilson Fisk becoming mayor of New York City and the villain Muse are directly lifted from his work. Soule confirmed the influence, stating, "I've been fortunate enough to see the entire season of Daredevil: Born Again, and can confirm that the work I did with Ron Garney and my other amazing collaborators during my Daredevil run in the comics is all over the show. Mayor Fisk and Muse, yep, but other elements too, particularly just the thematic things we were playing with back in 2015-2018. As far as how it felt? It felt amazing. 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. I think fans will really enjoy the show."
Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 is set to hit the shelves on April 2, 2025. For more insights into what Marvel Comics has in store, be sure to check out what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and our most anticipated comics of 2025.
