If you're a fan of Daredevil, you're in for a treat. Not only is the beloved Netflix series set to continue with *Daredevil: Born Again* on Disney+, but Marvel is also launching a thrilling new miniseries titled *Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell*. This series brings back the dynamic duo of writer Charles Soule and artist Steve McNiven, who previously worked together on *Death of Wolverine*. The premise? A fascinating twist on the classic *The Dark Knight Returns* storyline, but with Matt Murdock stepping into the spotlight.
IGN had the chance to catch up with Soule via email to delve deeper into what this means for our favorite blind lawyer turned superhero. Before we dive into the interview, take a moment to enjoy an exclusive preview of *Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1* in the slideshow gallery below.
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* explores a future where Matt Murdock has lost his powers and is dealing with the challenges of aging and the haunting memories of his past. Soule shares that Matt isn't the only hero who has retired in this future Marvel Universe, hinting at a world where superheroes are a distant memory until something forces them back into action.
“Matt's older, for sure,” Soule explains. “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 for Matt leaving Daredevil behind is actually pretty simple, if you're using superhero logic. 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.”
This theme of an aging superhero returning to action is not new, and Soule acknowledges its popularity in various Marvel titles, including *The End* series and *Old Man Logan*. He elaborates on the appeal of such stories:
“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,” Soule says. “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? Stories like this give you the best of both worlds - they can let you strip the hero down to their bare essentials while also letting you come up with a lot of fun ideas that are outside the regular continuity in some ways.”
Soule goes on to describe *Cold Day In Hell* as taking place in its own corner of the Marvel Universe, where recent tragic events have shaped the lives of the characters and the narrative. This setting allows for creative freedom, blending iconic Marvel elements with fresh twists.
This isn't the first time Soule and McNiven have explored the theme of a hero facing mortality. Their collaboration on *Death of Wolverine* in 2014 also tackled this concept, albeit in a different Marvel Universe. When asked if *Cold Day in Hell* serves as a companion piece to *Death of Wolverine*, Soule responds:
“I think everything we do together is in some ways a companion piece to everything we've done,” Soule says. “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. I have immense trust in Steve's ability to just, you know, do amazing things on the page, and I think he feels the same way about my scripts, hopefully. This book was extremely collaborative in a way that was a bit of an experiment for us, a back and forth discussion as scripts and inks and dialogue and colors came in throughout, and I think people are going to see that on the page. Steve called it ‘jazz’ at one point, and I don't think that's so far off. I'm really proud of all the work I've done with Steve, but this one really stands out.”
One of the exciting aspects of stories like *Cold Day in Hell* is seeing how the hero's allies and enemies have evolved over time. Soule teases that readers can expect some major surprises regarding Daredevil's supporting cast and villains, though he remains tight-lipped on the details.
Soule hinted, “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 debut of the *Born Again* series, it's clear Marvel is leveraging the excitement around Daredevil. When asked if *Cold Day in Hell* serves as an entry point for new readers, despite its futuristic setting and reliance on existing continuity, Soule is optimistic:
Soule says, “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*, the series draws significant inspiration from Soule's 2015-2018 run on the comic, including elements like Wilson Fisk becoming the mayor of New York City and the villain Muse. Soule confirms that his work with Ron Garney and other collaborators during his Daredevil run heavily influenced the show.
“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,” Soule says. “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 on what’s coming from Marvel Comics, check out what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and see our most anticipated comics of 2025.
