"Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell - Matt Murdock's Dark Knight Returns"

It's an exciting time for fans of the Man Without Fear. With the much-anticipated continuation of the live-action series, *Daredevil: Born Again*, set to premiere on Disney+, and the launch of a new comic miniseries, *Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell*, there's plenty to look forward to. The new comic series, penned by Charles Soule and illustrated by Steve McNiven, promises a thrilling narrative that echoes the iconic *The Dark Knight Returns*. In this series, we see a future where Matt Murdock, having lost his powers, confronts the challenges of old age and his tumultuous past.

IGN had the opportunity to delve into the details of *Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell* through an exclusive email interview with Charles Soule. Before diving into the interview, take a moment to explore 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* is set in a future where superheroes are a thing of the past. Matt Murdock, now an older man without his powers, has left his Daredevil identity behind. Soule explains, "Matt's older, for sure. We don't get specific with it, but the idea is that he left super hero life behind many years ago. Not just him, either - in the world of Cold Day In Hell, super heroes are long gone, at least in comparison to the way they operate in the present-day Marvel Universe."

The reason for Matt's retirement from superheroics is straightforward: his powers, derived from radioactive exposure, have faded over time. "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," Soule adds.

The theme of an aging superhero returning to action is a familiar one in comics, seen in titles like *The End* and *Old Man Logan*. Soule appreciates the narrative potential of this trope, stating, "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. It also lets you define them more clearly."

*Cold Day in Hell* takes place in a unique corner of the Marvel Universe, where recent catastrophic events have left lasting impacts on the characters and the story. Soule and McNiven have the freedom to introduce new elements while staying true to the Marvel ethos. "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," Soule notes.

This isn't the first time Soule and McNiven have explored themes of mortality in a Marvel hero's story. Their previous collaboration, *Death of Wolverine*, also dealt with similar themes. Soule views *Cold Day in Hell* as a continuation of their creative partnership, saying, "I think everything we do together is in some ways a companion piece to everything we've done."

One of the intriguing aspects of stories like *Cold Day in Hell* is seeing how the hero's allies and enemies have aged. While Soule remains tight-lipped about specific details, he promises surprises regarding Daredevil's supporting cast and villains. "Don't want to say more than that, though - that stuff is part of what I think people are going to tune in for," he teases.

With *Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1* set to release on April 2, 2025, it's clear Marvel is leveraging the excitement around the *Born Again* series. Soule believes the comic can serve as an accessible entry point into Daredevil's world, even for those unfamiliar with the extensive continuity. "It's designed as a story people can pick up and enjoy if they know the most basic things about Daredevil and his past," he explains.

Speaking of *Born Again*, the series draws inspiration from Soule's 2015-2018 run on the comic, including elements like Wilson Fisk's mayoral campaign and the villain Muse. Soule has seen the entire season and is thrilled with how his work has been adapted. "The work I did with Ron Garney and my other amazing collaborators during my Daredevil run in the comics is all over the show," he shares. "It felt amazing. The thought that these ideas will be reaching that many people... what a wonderful thing."

*Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1* hits 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.