In Review: Daredevil: Cold Day In Hell (2025-) #1 (of 3) Matt Murdock Faces Deadly Gas Attack

Synopsis: HELL GONE COLD! After a horrific series of events, the world is in shambles. Matt Murdock is old, and his powers have faded to nothing. Matt will not, however, sit by and watch his fellow New Yorkers suffer, so instead of swinging around the city from his billy club line, he slings soup at a food center for the poor. But when a mysterious wrinkly old man interrupts a secret convoy causing an explosion, a deadly gas fills Hell’s Kitchen and this tale takes a turn that will change how you look at the Man Without Fear.

The Story

Set in a dystopian near future, New York lies in ruins after a devastating war. Everything has gone to hell. Matt Murdock, now long retired from his crime-fighting days, has aged, and his powers have faded. After a visit with his friend Jessica Jones, Matt heads back to the soup kitchen where he’s been helping feed New York’s poor.

But as he arrives, a mysterious gas explosion goes off, somehow restoring Matt’s heightened senses to their full capacity—just like when he last wore the horned mask of Daredevil. Disoriented at first, Matt rushes to the explosion site, where he finds an old and dying Captain America, holding up the ruined subway just long enough for Matt to rescue some innocent bystanders.

Elsewhere, a gang of criminals, responsible for the subway explosion, return to their boss’s lair and present Bullseye with Captain America’s shield. Though not the main villain, Bullseye has been holding a beaten and broken Frank Castle hostage, awaiting orders.

Artwork

Steve McNiven presents stunning artwork in this book. I particularly loved the portrayal of an older, more wiry Matt Murdock, clearly showing the wear of time. Another standout moment is the panel where we catch a glimpse of an aged Captain America, holding up the ruins of New York’s subway just long enough for Daredevil to rescue some innocent bystanders.

Overall

Charles Soule brings us an intriguing Daredevil story that’s apparently been in development since before COVID-19. The idea of an older Daredevil fighting crime is fascinating, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things unfold in the next two issues of the series.