This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3
Summary
The very nature of the Marvel Cinematic Universe means that what happens inDaredevil: Born Again, doesn’t stay inDaredevil: Born Again. Action that came before the show and the action that comes in the Disney+ series all carries over. Sometimes it’s not even action, persay that carries over, but the mere mention of a character or characters. Even the mere mention of a character that hasn’t been seen as part of the MCU just yet.
Case in point came inEpisode 3 ofBorn Again, “The Hollow of His Hand” when Matt Murdock was formulating hisdefense case for the White Tiger, Hector Ayala. After the star witness for the defense ended up turning yellow and lying on the stand about where he was, Murdock decided to unmask Ayala as a superhero in order to win over the jury to their cause.Part of that approach was reading stories about police officers who were helped by the vigilante. One name that stood out among that list was an “Officer Morales.”
Daredevil: Born Again Teases Arrival Of Miles Morales
It is of course, possible that the Morales that Murdock referenced in “The Hollow of His Hand” was a throwaway name. After all, it’s not hard to imagine a Hispanic police officer working the beat inHell’s Kitchen, New York City. But it seems extremely unlikely that a name that so clearly and quickly made an entire nation of fans sit up and say “wait … what?” was accidental. Or incidental.
The officer Morales that was likely being referred to would be Miles Morales dad, Jefferson. In thecomic books and in theSpiderversemoviesthat were so popularly released by Sony, he’s a police officer. Sometimes a beat cop. Sometimes a captain. And sometimes someone on track to become commissioner. Whenever he’s popped up, he’s been a strong, loving influence for Miles and helps Miles become a better version of himself. And a better version of his version of Spider-Man.
The mention of an officer Morales certainly seems to be the confirmation of what Marvel has already at least teased. ThatMiles Morales will be coming to the MCUin the future. And he’ll be starting his journey in his canonical home of New York City.
Why Daredevil: Born Again Sets Up Miles Morales
Theconnection between Daredevil and Spider-Manhas always been one of Marvel’s most compelling street-level partnerships. Both heroes operate within New York City and often deal with crime syndicates, corrupt officials, and the dark underbelly of society.Kingpin tends to be someonethe two heroes run across often in their comic book exploits.
Their paths have crossed numerous times in the comics, and with the inclusion of Officer Morales inDaredevil:Born
Again, it seems more likely than ever that Marvel is laying the groundwork for their on-screen partnership. Of course, there’s a change there as well, if that is the plan. The Spider-Man that teams up with Daredevil, and in fact, has teamed up withMatt Murdock briefly inSpider-Man 3, has been Peter Parker more often than not.
Directed By
Michael Cuesta
One of the biggest indicators of a possible Spider-Man crossover is the thematic alignment ofDaredevil: Born Againwith the recent events ofSpider-Man: No Way Home. Peter Parker is left without his support system, forced to navigate a world where no one remembers him. This leaves room for a new mentor or ally to step in—someone like Matt Murdock, who already played a small but significant role in Parker’s life duringNo Way Home.
However, there’s no guarantee, or anything close to aguarantee that Tom Holland and Peter Parker are sticking aroundthe MCU beyondSpider-Man 4. It’s possible that Daredevil: Born Again could be setting up more than one mentoship. Now that Matt Murdock is back in the MCU in a big way, maybe he helps grease the handoff of the mantle of Spider-Man from Peter to Miles.
The Jefferson Morales Problem In Daredevil: Born Again
SomeSpiderverseand comic book fansdo point out that there is a problem when it comes to a police officer named Morales. Most Marvel fans know thatMiles’ father actually goes by Jefferson Davisin most of the books and in theSpiderversemovies.
Jefferson Morales/Davis And His Son, Miles
However, in more recent comic runs, the character has changed his name to Jefferson Morales. And while that might not be the most accepted or well known version of the character, it makes some sense that the MCU would keep up with how he’s known in the most recent books. It could also be a way to separate the character from the Sony version in the animated movies. Considering how popular they are, it makes sense to set a dividing line. PerhapsDaredevil: Born Againlaid out the direction the Marvel Cinematic Universe will move when Miles Morales officially joins the fray.
