Born Again (comics)
| Daredevil: Born Again | |
|---|---|
ISBN 1302953044 |
"Born Again" is a 1986 comic book story arc that appeared in the Marvel Comics series Daredevil. Written by Frank Miller, and drawn by David Mazzucchelli, the storyline first appeared in Daredevil #227–231. It was later reprinted in graphic novel format along with the previous issue #226, and a follow-up story arc from Daredevil #232–233, which resolves some loose ends from the original story arc. Because of this, this follow-up story arc has become generally considered part of "Born Again".
The story details
Plot
Daredevil's initial investigations uncover that Manolis is helping to frame Murdock in exchange for medical treatments for his son. Still, he is unable to find who is behind the frame-up and is unwilling to turn Manolis in to the authorities. An exceptional legal defense by Nelson saves Murdock from a prison sentence, though he is barred from practicing law. With his initial plan foiled, the Kingpin has Murdock's apartment firebombed. He also gives out the order to kill anyone else who handled the information on Daredevil's identity. Karen eludes the Kingpin's assassins and makes her way to New York to find Matt.
Now
Meanwhile,
Karen arrives in New York, having hitched a ride with pornography fanatic Paulo Scorcese who supplies her with heroin in exchange for sexual favors. She contacts Foggy to ask about Murdock's whereabouts. When he realizes that Paulo has been beating her, Foggy insists on taking her into his home.
Increasingly obsessed with killing Murdock, Kingpin uses his military connections to procure America's
Nurse Lois offers to testify against the Kingpin in exchange for a reduced sentence, but he has her killed by a bodyguard accompanying Urich when the reporter attempts to interview her in jail. Having failed to draw Murdock out of hiding, the Kingpin orders Nuke to fly to Hell's Kitchen and make a general assault. From a helicopter, Nuke shoots dozens of civilians and destroys the diner where Murdock works. Appearing as Daredevil for the first time since his apartment was destroyed, he is left with no choice but to kill both Nuke and his
Captain America, disturbed that Nuke has a U.S. flag tattooed on his face, investigates his background. When the military authorities give him evasive answers, he breaks into top-secret records and discovers Nuke is the only surviving test subject of several attempts to recreate Project: Rebirth, the project that enhanced the Captain's own body. Nuke breaks free from custody in the same base. Captain America stops him, but the Kingpin gives the order to kill Nuke. The military shoots Nuke. Having heard word of Nuke's escape while stealing money from Kingpin's drug importers to rebuild the diner, Daredevil grabs Nuke from Captain America and takes him to the Daily Bugle, hoping to get him to testify about the Kingpin. He is not fast enough, and Nuke dies before he can provide any evidence.
Trying to get Nuke back from Daredevil, Captain America stumbles upon one of the hitmen sent to kill Nuke. The hitman names the Kingpin as being behind Nuke's assault on Hell's Kitchen, setting off a wave of lawsuits. Although the Kingpin is able to fight off most of the charges, his public image as an honest and respectable businessman is shattered, and his lieutenants lose confidence in him. His obsession unabated, he disregards Captain America's role and plans for revenge on Murdock instead. As for Murdock, he lives happily in Hell's Kitchen with Karen and continues to fight for justice in his neighborhood.
Background and creation
It's almost criminal how easy David makes it to write a script. He makes a three-dimensional stage of the individual panel, complete in authentic detail, nonetheless uncluttered and utterly readable. He creates actors whose dramatic range is startling, whose best and most compelling moments are wordless. He's talked of writing his own comics. Keep your eye out for them. I will. — Miller praises Mazzucchelli's unique talent as a comic book artist who's able to figure out the narrative structure of every page as well as providing rough layouts with great details in the early development. Afterword in the 1987 trade paperback.
With regular writer
Themes and symbolism
"Born Again" makes heavy use of
The
Collected editions
The trade paperback (
Between 2009 and 2010, Marvel reprinted Born Again in hardcover (
In 2012,
The Gallery Edition (
Reception
In regard to the rise of Daredevil comic popularity during Frank Miller's run in the 1980s, "Born Again" is considered one of the best storylines within the Daredevil mythos, with praise for Miller's and Mazzucchelli's artwork, storyline and religious narrative mirroring Matt Murdock's arc from fall and rise. Fans and critics see Born Again to be an influential period during the start of the Modern Age of Comic Books.
Sequel
The "Last Rites" story arc in Daredevil #297–300, though written and drawn by an entirely different set of creators (except for colorist Christie Scheele), is to an extent a thematic sequel to "Born Again". The plot of "Last Rites" is centered on Daredevil systematically destroying the Kingpin's reputation and worldly possessions, much as the Kingpin did to him in "Born Again". In an explicit acknowledgement of this parallel, a deranged Kingpin mutters "born again..." in the final installment. The story also sees Murdock finally unraveling the frame job from "Born Again", winning back his attorney's license.
In an ongoing subplot of "Born Again", the Kingpin hires Foggy Nelson for one of his firms. When writer Frank Miller left the series, this plot thread was temporarily abandoned, before finally being resolved in Daredevil #248–256.
In other media
- Director 20th century Fox turned down a pitch by director Joe Carnahan for a film based on "Born Again".[8] On October 10, the Daredevil film rights reverted to Marvel Studios.[9]
- Elements of the "Born Again" story arc are adapted into the Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter (Wilson Bethel) replaces the unnamed asylum patient in impersonating Daredevil on Fisk's behalf. Additionally, several moments and lines from "Born Again" are used throughout Daredevil and the miniseries The Defenders.
- A new Daredevil series, subtitled Born Again, is currently in development by Marvel Studios, as part of Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
References
- ^ Cordier, Philippe (April 2007). "Seeing Red: Dissecting Daredevil's Defining Years". Back Issue! (21). TwoMorrows Publishing: 56.
- ^ a b c Cordier, p. 45
- ^ "David Mazzucchelli Signing "Daredevil Born Again: Artist Edition" with Special Guest Chip Kidd". Comic Book Resources. June 28, 2012.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (February 12, 2012). "IDW To Publish Artist Edition Of Daredevil Born Again By Frank Miller And David Mazzuchelli". Bleeding Cool.
- MTV Geek!.
- UGO. Accessed May 1, 2009.
- ^ Kit, Borys (June 7, 2011). "Fox's 'Daredevil' Relaunch Hires 'Fringe' Writer Brad Caleb Kane". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
- ^ Daredevil Film Rights Returning to Marvel Studios."The Escapist Archived 2020-01-21 at the Wayback Machine".
- ^ John 'Spartan' Nguyen (October 12, 2012). "Welcome back, Daredevil, to the Marvel Studios family". Nerd Reactor. Archived from the original on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
External links
