Daredevil is one of Marvel Comics’ most consistent characters in its entire roster. His stories over the past few decades have been some of the very best books the publisher has had to offer, and the myriad of supporting characters, both good and evil, are a large part of the character’s success.
With Daredevil: Born Again currently airing weekly on Disney Plus, many fans of the classic Daredevil comics are excitedly waiting to see what side characters and villains of the Man Without Fear might show up in the coming episodes and seasons. Though many of Daredevil’s most iconic villains already appeared in the original Daredevil series on Netflix, there are still plenty that have yet to have their time on the silver screen.
10
Gladiator Would Be An Emotional Gut Punch for Matt Murdock
The Kindly Melvin Potter Turning Towards Villainy Would Hurt Daredevil’s Heart
One of Daredevil’s longest-lasting villains, Melvin Potter, aka Gladiator, has technically already appeared on screen in the original Daredevil series, but only as his civilian identity. The character of Gladiator is a recurring foe in Daredevil’s long comic book history, and bringing him to the screen as a full-fledged villain would be troubling for fans of the original series and for Matt Murdock himself.
Viewers of Daredevil on Netflix grew to know and love the kindly Melvin Potter, a tailor and designer who was unfortunately involved with some of the wrong kinds of people in Hell’s Kitchen. After Daredevil helped him and earned his trust, Melvin even designed the first iteration of Matt’s iconic red costume. If Melvin were to appear in Born Again as a villain out for blood against Daredevil, viewers would surely be invested in the emotional drama and thrilling action.
9
Bushwacker Would Challenge Matt Murdock On Multiple Levels
The Physically-Enhanced Mercenary Could Challenge Daredevil’s Faith
A former priest turned into a killing machine by the C.I.A., Carl Burbank, aka Bushwacker, is one of the most distressing Daredevil villains to grace the pages of a Marvel Comic book. Technically considered a cyborg, Bushwacker’s body is modified to be able to form a plethora of weaponry from his very flesh.
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Both a physical and existential threat to Daredevil, Bushwacker could be the perfect alternative to Bullseye in an episode of Daredevil: Born Again. Though the character is nowhere near as iconic as Bullseye, his role in Daredevil’s history is constantly refreshing, and often shocking. If Bushwacker’s potential appearance in Daredevil: Born Again was well-liked by fans, the character could even be included in other stories, similarly to how he is used in the now-iconic The Immortal Hulk series by Al Ewing.
8
Typhoid Mary Could Perfectly Contrast Matt Murdock’s Love Interests
The Multiple Personalities of Typhoid Mary Would All Threaten Daredevil In Unique Ways
Originally introduced in the pages of Daredevil #254, Mary Alice Walker, aka Typhoid Mary, became one of the most beloved and iconic Daredevil villains of the era. Though she is most often a supervillain, Mary’s relationship with Daredevil is anything but simple. The two were lovers in the past, and their hero-villain relationship is often much more complex than it would ordinarily seem.
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A version of the character of Typhoid Mary did already appear in the second season of Iron Fist, played by Alice Eve, but the live-action version of the character never made the jump over the Hell’s Kitchen in Daredevil. The return of the street-level Daredevil stories in Born Again would be a perfect opportunity to bring the character back, or even introduce a slightly new version. In recent comics, Mary even became Wilson Fisk’s second wife, and that relationship would be interesting to see play out on screen.
7
Jester Would Be a Lighthearted Addition to the Dark Subject Matter of Daredevil’s Stories
The Gaudy Performer-Turned-Criminal Could Be a Perfect Side Villain for Daredevil
Jonathan Powers, aka the Jester, is one of Daredevil’s lesser-known foes from the pages of the original Daredevil comic series. His antics were often less extreme and less deadly than many of the Man Without Fear’s other villains, and his gimmicks kept his stories light and enjoyable for readers.
In a story where Matt Murdock is under constant stress, suffering from constant peril, tragedy, and terror, and constantly grappling with his own demons, a character like Jester would be the perfect way to brighten things up. He could easily be a throwaway character used in a single episode’s story, or he could be a recurring gag villain that Daredevil faces off against again and again.
6
Black Tarantula Would Shake Matt Murdock’s Moral Compass
The Morally Ambiguous Underworld Player Could Make Daredevil Question His Methods
Originally introduced as more of a Spider-Man villain than a Daredevil foe, Black Tarantula’s most engaging and interesting interactions with Daredevil came from the iconic pages of writer Ed Brubaker’s run on the Daredevil series. Depicting Matt Murdock in prison, surrounded by foes he put there as Daredevil, The Devil in Cell Block D was the opening arc for Brubaker’s time on the book. This story saw Black Tarantula become a major player in Daredevil’s life.
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After being released from prison, Black Tarantula actually worked with Matt Murdock, but he became dissatisfied with his work. Eventually teaming up with Daredevil to fight crime directly, Black Tarantula’s drastic methods of fighting criminals became a major obstacle in his relationship with Daredevil. Despite his change from being a full-fledged villain, the Black Tarantula’s brutal methods and moral flexibility made him one of Daredevil’s most tragic and engaging foes.
5
Lady Bullseye Could Be a Threat to Daredevil and Anyone Around Him
The Japanese Assassin Inspired By the Original Bullseye Would Be Perfect for Live-Action
The young girl who would eventually become Lady Bullseye was born in Japan, where she witnessed the original Bullseye effortlessly slaughtering a group of mobsters. Inspired by the efficiency and brutality of the villain, she dedicated herself to becoming like Bullseye.
Often depicted as being a member of the terrifying Hand, a group of ninja assassins that Daredevil has tussled with endlessly over the years, Lady Bullseye is one of the most dangerous figures in Daredevil’s life. Her skills, cunning, and complete lack of morals make her just as much of a threat as her predecessor.
4
Stilt-Man Would Be a Hilarious Addition to a Live-Action Daredevil Story
The Fan-Favorite Character Would Be a Terrific One-Off Villain for Daredevil
Another one of Daredevil’s earliest foes, Wilbur Day, aka Stilt-Man, originally appeared in the pages of Daredevil #8 in 1965. Back then, the character was considered far more formidable and threatening than he is today, but that doesn’t mean that a modern interpretation of the character wouldn’t work.
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Stilt-Man’s goofy gimmick and silly name make him an easy source for comedy, but the nature of his powers and crimes would make the world of Daredevil: Born Again feel so much more “comic booky” than it ever has. Daredevil’s stories still take place in the Marvel Universe, and that universe is sometimes silly. Fans would love to see Stilt-Man show up in live-action, and it would be a missed opportunity if he never did.
3
Mister Fear Would Shake Daredevil to His Core
The Villain Would Make Matt Murdock Question Whether He Is Truly Without Fear
Lawrence Cranston, aka Mister Fear, was the third character in Marvel Comics to take on that name, and he is perhaps the most terrifying iteration to date. Most notable for his involvement in the destruction of Matt Murdock’s marriage to the wonderful Milla Donovan, Mister Fear is one of Daredevil’s most terrifying villains.
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Though he hasn’t appeared in nearly as many issues as characters like Bullseye or Kingpin, Mister Fear is a tentpole character in Daredevil’s life, as he was responsible for some of the greatest failings of the horned hero. A live-action appearance of Mister Fear would be perfect for the dark and gritty nature of the Born Again series, and the character could perfectly counter the idea of Daredevil being the Man Without Fear.
2
Coyote Would Throw Off Daredevil’s Greatest Asset
The Terrifying Teleporter Could Trick Even Daredevil’s Radar Sense
Appearing in the absolutely iconic Daredevil run from superstar writer Mark Waid, Coyote is one of Daredevil’s newest foes. Having suffered under the same procedure that created the Spider-Man villain the Spot, a character that many fans know as the lead villain of the hit animated film Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, Coyote is a wonderful foil to Daredevil’s heightened abilities.
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Utilizing the Spot’s power to create portals, Coyote made a profession of smuggling illegal goods via portal, and he used the same technology to face off against Daredevil. Disconnecting the hero’s head from his body using a portal collar, Coyote was able to confuse Daredevil’s radar sense and send him reeling, something that not many villains can claim to have done.
1
Ikari Is More Than a Match for Daredevil
The Japanese Warrior Nearly Killed The Man Without Fear When They Fought
Ikari, a masked martial artist featured in the pages of Mark Waid’s Daredevil run, is perhaps the best villain to be added to Daredevil’s rogues gallery in decades. A terrifying combatant who apparently had an identical radar sense to Daredevil, Ikari was more than a match for the Man Without Fear each time the pair fought.
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The live-action appearance of Ikari could result in one of the most intense and exciting fight scenes that fans have ever seen from Daredevil: Born Again, and it could serve as the action high-point for the entirety of superhero adaptations—something that the original Daredevil series certainly did. Ikari’s history is short, but his appearances have always been memorable, and a live-action version would be no different.
