Comic Plot of Born Again
The "Born Again" storyline in Daredevil #227–233 (1986) centers on Matt Murdock losing his identity to the Kingpin. In the arc, Bullseye is killed by the Kingpin, not by Daredevil. The Kingpin arranges Bullseye's death to psychologically break Murdock, using the assassin's body as a message. This sequence is a pivotal moment in the comic, shaping Daredevil's subsequent recovery and return as a hero.
The storyline was written by Frank Miller and drawn by David Mazzucchelli. It was serialized in the main Daredevil comic series from 1986 to 1987. The arc is widely cited as one of the most influential Daredevil stories, directly leading into the "Daredevil: Reborn" follow-up. The events of "Born Again" have been adapted and referenced in multiple Marvel media, including animated series and the Netflix Daredevil show.
Daredevil's Role in Bullseye's Fate
Daredevil does not directly kill Bullseye in the original "Born Again" comic. The Kingpin orders Bullseye's execution after the assassin fails to murder Murdock. Daredevil discovers Bullseye's body and the staged scene, which fuels his rage against the Kingpin but does not result in Bullseye's death at Murdock's hands. The Kingpin's manipulation of Bullseye's death is a central plot mechanism.
Later comic runs and alternate continuities have explored different outcomes for Bullseye, but the canonical "Born Again" print version confirms the Kingpin as the killer. In the 2025 Daredevil: Born Again limited series, the story revisits the Kingpin's vendetta against Murdock, with Bullseye's history referenced as part of the broader conflict. The series builds on the original arc while updating the characters' dynamics for a modern audience.
Adaptations and Current Status
The Netflix Daredevil series adapts the Kingpin's dominance over Murdock but does not replicate the exact "Born Again" comic sequence with Bullseye's death. The show's third season focuses on Kingpin's political rise and Murdock's return, with Bullseye appearing as a recurring antagonist. The MCU film "Daredevil: Born Again" is in development, with the script drawing from the "Born Again" and "Guardian Devil" arcs.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe currently lists the "Daredevil: Born Again" series as an active project under Marvel Studios. The series is expected to stream on Disney+ and integrate the street-level Marvel events into the broader MCU. The Kingpin's role in Bullseye's comic death remains a key reference point for the character's portrayal in current Marvel adaptations.
