In the second and third episodes of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, the conflict between Matt Murdock and Kingpin intensifies. These episodes also highlight a significant aspect of their rivalry from the comics while addressing a common question posed by new readers.
The second episode, titled “Shoot the Moon,” features Kingpin holding a press conference. The Mayor expresses concern for Matt Murdock, who has been missing for several months, and requests the city’s assistance in locating the hero who thwarted his assassination by Bullseye.
This strategy effectively restricts Matt’s ability to operate in Manhattan, as he is now being pursued both in his secret identity and as Daredevil. Kingpin also insinuates that Matt might be a casualty of the vigilantes that Fisk is combating. This entire display aims to portray Fisk in a sympathetic light.
Prior to the press conference, Kingpin’s associate, Buck Cashman, proposes that it would be simpler to disclose to the world that Matt Murdock is Daredevil. Kingpin briefly considers this before dismissing the notion. This recalls the original Netflix Daredevil series, where Fisk vowed not to reveal Matt’s secret identity. However, there are deeper motivations at play beyond Kingpin’s promise. All of this references the longstanding rivalry between Wilson Fisk and Matt Murdock from the comics.
Why won’t Kingpin reveal Matt Murdock’s secret identity?
Kingpin provides Cashman with three reasons for not exposing Daredevil’s identity. The primary reason is that it would undermine his efforts to portray all vigilantes as unstable. Confirming Matt Murdock, a beloved champion of lost causes, as a superhero would yield no benefits. Additionally, there are optics involved in attempting to depict a blind man as a societal threat.
The third and final reason is personal. As Kingpin admits, “he saved my life.” Despite his numerous sins, Wilson Fisk adheres to a code of honor. He remembers those who assist him and honors his commitments once made. This reflects why Kingpin maintains his complex relationship with Daredevil in the comics.
In the original Daredevil: Born Again comics, Wilson Fisk attempted to eliminate everyone involved in revealing Matt Murdock’s secret identity. He did this because knowledge equates to power, and allowing anyone else access to that knowledge diminished his own power.
Pride also played a role, as Kingpin sought to defeat Daredevil on his own terms. In his view, merely exposing Matt Murdock as a vigilante who mocked the law he upheld as a lawyer would be a cowardly victory. It would also rob him of the satisfaction of engaging in a physical confrontation. Beneath his kingly gangster facade, Fisk remains a thug at heart.
Moreover, Matt Murdock’s secret serves as a valuable resource for manipulation. This became evident in the MCU when Kingpin frames Daredevil for a terrorist attack in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Episode 3 “The Scales & The Sword.” Without Matt Murdock at large, his alter ego could not function as Kingpin’s scapegoat.
Originally reported by Matt Morrison for SuperHeroHype.
