The fourth episode of Daredevil: Born Again, ‘Sic Semper Systema,’ offered the first full-on view of the villain Muse. Though only appearing in two scenes, his creepy mask and manner teased the danger the character poses. Indeed, an examination of recent Daredevil comics suggest that Muse could be the catalyst for the series’ main storyline.
Muse is a relatively recent introduction to the comics, first appearing in 2016’s Daredevil #11. A self-styled artist, Muse is a serial killer who incorporates his victims into his gruesome creations. In one case, this included a mural made of the blood of over 100 missing persons. In another, he posed the corpses of six victims as a tableau to depict them doing daily chores.
(Image Source: Mareel Comics)
Muse is notable for never having his true identity revealed in the comics. He is also notable for his unique superpower, which absorbs all sensory information around him. It has been implied this power may be responsible for his lack of empathy and psychotic desire to provoke reactions with his art, if only in himself. It also makes him a real threat to Daredevil, as even Matt Murdock‘s heightened senses cannot detect Muse’s presence.
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
Muse’s status as a villain who can counter Matt Murdock’s powers would be reason enough to introduce him into Daredevil: Born Again. However, the mad artist also played a major role in setting up the Devil’s Reign storyline. This 2021 comic crossover event explored how the vigilantes of New York City responded when Mayor Wilson Fisk outlawed superheroes in the city.
(Image Source: Mareel Comics)
Before Devil’s Reign began, however, Mayor Fisk had already launched a shadow war on the street-level heroes who hindered his operations as Kingpin. This conflict inspired Muse, who admired heroes like Daredevil continuing to do what they wished in spite of the law. Muse escaped from prison and began killing again, while crafting murals of the city’s heroes on major landmarks. Unsurprisingly, Fisk blamed the heroes for Muse’s actions, with the final straw being a mural of The Punisher incorporating the bodies of dead police officers.
(Image Source: Mareel Comics)
While Wilson Fisk was elected Mayor running on an anti-vigilante platform in Daredevil: Born Again’s first episode, Muse could easily (if accidentally) increase public support for Fisk’s agenda. Additionally, the series’ storyline has also introduced subplots involving The Punisher and police brutality. Introducing Muse into this mix could steer the story toward the ultimate ends of the Devil’s Reign event from the comics.
Daredevil: Born Again Episodes 1-4 are now streaming on Disney+.