Matt Murdock and Peter Parker embark on a team-up in Daredevil #1 that ends with a surprising — and heartening — secret identity revelation.
The following contains spoilers for Daredevil #1, available now from Marvel.
Daredevil #1, the latest number one issue starring the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, sees Matt Murdock revealing his secret identity to Peter Parker.
The moment occurs after Daredevil and Spider-Man spend an evening hitting the streets of New York City and reminding the Big Apple’s criminal element to watch their backs. The duo pays special attention to Butch Pharris — the son of Wilson Fisk, also known as the Kingpin — and warns him that while he may have inherited his father’s empire, he would be wise to stay on the right side of the law. After intimidating Butch and his men, the two heroes retreat to the privacy of a rooftop, and Spidey complements Daredevil on his “disguise” as Matt Murdock. Daredevil specifically approached Butch in his civilian identity, masquerading as his twin brother, Mike Murdock, who worked closely with the Kingpin’s son.
After hearing Spider-Man’s words, Matt decides to come clean and tells his friend that it wasn’t a disguise at all. Spider-Man reacts with shock as his memories suddenly come rushing back in, for this is the second time that Peter Parker has become aware of Matt Murdock’s secret.
Like everyone else on Earth, Peter’s original knowledge of Matt’s identity was erased by the children of the Purple Man back in 2017’s Daredevil #20. Matt explains that he didn’t tell his friend in the interval because it “felt like a fresh start when my identity was erased,” but now that his civilian identity is presumed dead at the hands of the Kingpin, he’s decided to once again lay his cards on the table. In response, Spidey says that he wishes he could tell Matt the truth about himself in turn, but adds that his secret identity is “still alive.”
Matt Murdock’s assumed death was cemented in Devil’s Reign: Omega during a funeral attended by many members of New York’s superhero community. Matt is, of course, alive and well as a full-time Daredevil, and in actuality, his brother, Mike, was the one killed by the Kingpin during a violent rampage in Devil’s Reign #5. Daredevil plans to take advantage of his newfound anonymity by escalating his war on crime to new heights and allying with Elektra to wipe out the ninja clan The Hand.
Daredevil #1, written by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by Marco Checchetto and Rafael De Latorre, is on sale now from Marvel Comics.