Daredevil: Born Again Reveals 5 Unique Costumes – A Look at Their Original Comic Appearances

With the extensive history of Daredevil in comics, fans are eagerly anticipating the potential directions the character will take in the much-anticipated series, Daredevil: Born Again. The recently released trailer showcases cowls that hark back to a variety of iconic comic book costumes, shedding light on the evolution of Matt Murdock’s look throughout his journeys from Netflix to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

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This article will explore the various cowls highlighted in the trailer and the comic costumes that inspired them, reflecting Matt’s transformations during the hiatus between his Netflix series and his return to the MCU.

Daredevil’s Iconic Red Suit

Fans Spot This Suit in the MCU

The trailer features two distinct red cowls that directly pay homage to the heroic attire worn in the 2015 Daredevil series. The iconic red suit made its debut in Daredevil Volume 1 #7, created by the iconic duo of Stan Lee and Wally Wood. This costume marked a departure from Matt’s earlier looks, introducing a second ‘D’ in his logo and a thigh holster for his billy clubs.

Though Daredevil’s red suit is frequently illustrated with pronounced black shadowing, it is actually meant to be uniformly red, symbolizing the bold identity Matt sought to convey. In Daredevil #7, Matt articulated that this new suit was intended to be both “comfortable”and “eye-catching,”even though he did not specify the color’s significance at the time. The all-red aesthetic has become emblematic of Daredevil’s character, evoking both his devilish alter-ego and a sense of intimidation among criminals in Hell’s Kitchen.

While Matt’s deep-rooted faith may seem at odds with his devilish persona, the nickname “Daredevil”originates from childhood taunts. Due to his father’s insistence on academic pursuits over outdoor play, neighborhood kids used the term derogatorily to describe Matt, who appeared fearful and reclusive.

Given the storyline’s connections to Muse and Kingpin’s mayoral aspirations, it’s safe to predict that we might see Daredevil don the black suit at some point during the series.

Daredevil’s Original Yellow Costume

First Spotted in She-Hulk

She-Hulk Daredevil New Costume Charlie Cox

The Born Again trailer also showcases Daredevil’s yellow cowl, a nod to his first comic costume introduced in Daredevil Volume 1 #1 by Stan Lee and Bill Everett. Remarkably, this suit was crafted from the boxing robes worn by Matt’s father, Jonathan ‘Battlin’ Jack’ Murdock, after Jack was murdered by the Fixer. The materials chosen symbolize Matt’s dedication to his mission.

Though the yellow costume has rarely been donned in recent years, its most notable return appears in Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s Daredevil: Yellow. This mini-series frames Matt’s recollections of his origin story, recounting both his interactions with the Fantastic Four and his conflicts with the nefarious Purple Man.

Daredevil’s Dark Costume

Daredevil is known for two major black costumes in Marvel Comics. The initial design surfaced during the Shadowland event, conceived by Andy Diggle and Billy Tan, where Matt Murdock assumed control of the Hand. His intentions were noble; however, he gradually succumbed to possession by the cult’s demonic force, resulting in a shift to tyrannical behavior.

The Shadowland attire features a sleek black design with a red emblem and carries a holster for his billy clubs. Armed with new wrist-mounted weapons, this incarnation of Daredevil underwent a metamorphosis, taking on a more fearsome aspect with elongated limbs and horns. Fortunately, Marvel’s heroes intervened to free Matt from the Beast’s grasp and save New York from chaos.

The black costume made a subsequent return in Daredevil Volume 5 by Charles Soule and Ron Garney. In this iteration, it included various red accents, a red belt, and red laced boots, further enhancing the suit’s visual intrigue.

Notably, Daredevil Volume 5 aligns closely with thematic elements anticipated in Born Again, particularly with Muse’s introduction and Kingpin’s rise to mayoral power.

Daredevil’s Second Red Costume

A Wealth of Red Suits

Close-up shot of Charlie Cox's Daredevil in Echo

The second red cowl appearing in Born Again draws inspiration from the costume Matt wore in the Echo series, showcasing his evolving design since the Netflix era. This alteration stayed true to comic traditions, where the foundational red suit has been reimagined by various artists over the years. Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto’s recent Daredevil Volume 6 emphasized a modernized approach with red piping and baggier pants reminiscent of Matt’s boxing heritage.

This transformation is merely one facet of a greater evolution in Matt’s costume history. Following his disavowal of the Matt Murdock identity, he led a new anti-Hand faction, the Fist, while sporting an armored black and red design.

The Metallic Silver Costume

Matt Murdock’s Armored Phase

A prominent highlight from the Born Again trailer is the inclusion of a silver cowl. Although this design lacks a clear counterpart in existing comics, it evokes two possibilities. The first is the armored costume introduced in Daredevil #321, which combined red and black with metallic accents along his shoulders and limbs.

Notably, this black armor is often depicted with a striking silver sheen, aligning with the cowl’s aesthetic from the trailer. The suit enabled Daredevil to withstand gunfire and engage Venom directly, but it also fueled his violent tendencies. The silver cowl hints at potential narrative threads where Matt’s moral compass may have adapted to new extremes, reflecting themes established in his Netflix iterations.

Alternatively, the silver could allude to Daredevil’s refined white costume, acquired after a life-changing conflict in the underworld. Previous encounters with the demonic Beast of the Hand led to a transformation that not only purified his look but also empowered his billy clubs with holy energy.

As Matt recently reclaimed the white suit in Daredevil Volume 8 following an encounter with Doctor Strange, it remains uncertain whether this aesthetic aligns with the trailer’s presentation.

These diverse costumes explored in the Daredevil: Born Again trailer indicate thrilling developments for Matt Murdock’s character. Fans can anticipate unveiling more details about these new comic-inspired designs when the series premieres on March 4, 2025, exclusively on Disney+.

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