How She-Hulk’s Silly Line Transforms Daredevil: Born Again into a Dark Masterpiece!

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Summary

  • She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s comedic take on superhero law sets up the dark tone of Daredevil: Born Again.
  • Daredevil: Born Again benefits from She-Hulk’s establishment of legal norms in a quirky, superhero-filled world.
  • Both series, despite their contrasting tones, are essential in making the MCU’s legal world rich and believable.

It’s challenging to find two shows more contrasting than She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Daredevil: Born Again. Despite their shared universe, they offer vastly different tones. In an unusual crossover, Matt Murdock appeared on She-Hulk for a sparring session and a romantic encounter with Jen Walters. While She-Hulk employed sitcom humor and self-referential wit, Daredevil: Born Again is steeped in dark crime dramatics.

Although the two series, “Daredevil: Born Again” and “She-Hulk,” might appear quite distinct, they actually complement each other. Both delve into the intricate legal systems within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a realm where Norse gods and super soldiers are commonplace. This universe often veers into the fantastical, sometimes in an instant. However, this peculiar world doesn’t typically lend itself to stories about street crime in Hell’s Kitchen, as seen in “Daredevil: Born Again.” Nevertheless, with “She-Hulk” having already established the rules of the Marvel legal system, “Daredevil: Born Again” can preserve its grittier atmosphere.

How Did She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Fit into the MCU?

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” is a distinctive addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This series premiered in 2022 as part of the MCU’s Fourth Phase, and features Tatiana Maslany portraying Jennifer Walters, a shy lawyer who is Bruce Banner’s cousin. During a vacation with Bruce, Jennifer gets involved in a car accident requiring urgent blood transfusion. The only available donor is Bruce, but his gamma-irradiated blood causes Jennifer to transform into the Hulk as well.

As a movie critic, I’d say that while she didn’t receive the full treatment, Jennifer Walters, AKA She-Hulk, doesn’t succumb to fits of uncontrollable fury like her cousin Bruce Banner. Thanks to extensive counseling from the ever-composed Bruce Banner, who has been managing his Hulk and human personas seamlessly since Avengers: Endgame, Jennifer now possesses the ability to transform into the She-Hulk at her discretion.

The description might give the impression of a serious superhero saga, similar to the last two Hulk films. However, as its name indicates, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law primarily focuses on humorous and light-hearted storytelling. The series generally feels like a sitcom, with each episode featuring a comical superhero legal case that Jen must handle. In one instance, she defends the Hulk’s nemesis, Abomination. On another occasion, she works on an alimony dispute involving the indestructible Mr. Immortal.

The playful wit displayed by She-Hulk has made it a highly debated Marvel production among fans. Some find the show’s unconventional take on superheroes off-putting, while others admire its creative exploration of genre conventions. Yet, there’s no question that the whimsical nature of She-Hulk paves the way for Daredevil: Born Again to come into existence.

What is Daredevil: Born Again?

7 years following the conclusion of the Netflix show “Daredevil” and its third season, the highly-anticipated series “Daredevil: Born Again” officially integrates the horn-headed superhero into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Charlie Cox returns as Matt Murdock, a lawyer who became blind during his childhood. After encountering harmful substances and receiving training from a ninja master, Matt has heightened his remaining senses, essentially granting him extraordinary abilities. Using these powers, Matt safeguards his neighborhood, Hell’s Kitchen, donning the persona of Daredevil, the Man Without Fear.

The Netflix version of the show showcased remarkable fight scenes where Daredevil clashed with characters like the Kingpin Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), Elektra the assassin, and FBI agent Dex, but it wasn’t all about action. Instead, a significant part focused on Matt Murdock and his associates Foggy Nelson and Karen Page as they navigated the legal system, advocating for the innocent and taking down those who manipulate the law to exploit others.

Title “Daredevil: Born Again” reunites the main cast from the Netflix series. One year after an event alters his life irrevocably, “Born Again” follows Matt as he endeavors to retire his superhero persona, a challenge intensified by the fact that Fisk assumes the mayoral position in New York City.

Similar to its Netflix counterpart, the upcoming Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again maintains a grim and intense atmosphere, surpassing other Disney+ offerings in this regard. Beyond graphic violence, Born Again incorporates explicit language and intricate plotlines. This series delves deeper than the superhero Daredevil and the villainous Kingpin, focusing instead on the complexities of human characters as they grapple with their virtuous and sinister instincts.

In a more conversational tone: “Daredevil: Born Again” delves deeper compared to “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”, but the preceding, humorous series laid the groundwork for understanding the legal aspects in the superhero realm.

How Does She-Hulk Set Up Daredevil: Born Again?

In the second installment of Daredevil: Born Again, Matt Murdock embarks on the investigation concerning Hector Ayala (Kamar de los Reyes), a helpful citizen who intervened in a situation where two police officers were brutally attacking an informant. Unfortunately, one of the officers slips and falls onto an approaching subway track, leading to his death. As a result, Ayala is apprehended and indicted for murder. However, things become even more intricate since Ayala protects his community as the superhero White Tiger, receiving his abilities from a mystical amulet.

As Matt delves into Ayala’s case, he shares essential details with the judge and the prosecutor. Beyond describing Ayala personally, Matt emphasizes that his client lacked any supernatural abilities, as he wasn’t in possession of the magical amulet.

Typically, a reference to a magical amulet would appear out of place in a legal context, prompting one to pause and consider its unusual nature. However, Matt doesn’t seem to do this. Instead, he carries on with his explanation, focusing on other details. Neither the judge nor the defense attorney interrupts him, choosing instead to accept his words without question, thereby enabling the narrative to explore weightier matters.

Despite appearing unusual, Matt’s statement becomes clearer when we remember that the storyline of “Daredevil: Born Again” is set within a universe populated by superheroes. To characters like Matt, individuals such as White Tiger are as commonplace as an immigrant facing eviction in the Netflix series. Furthermore, instead of focusing on the nuances of law concerning superheroes, “Born Again” prefers to assume their existence and delve into character development and action-packed scenes.

It’s fortunate that the series “Born Again” doesn’t have to delve into explaining the legal system in the MCU, as She-Hulk: Attorney at Law has already covered it, albeit from a comedic angle. This lighthearted take on “She-Hulk” provides space for “Daredevil: Born Again” to tell a complex narrative, demonstrating that both shows are crucial for creating a detailed, authentic MCU world.

Daredevil: Born Again streams every Tuesday on Disney+.

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2025-03-05 03:48