The “Old Man” model of superhero storytelling has some incredible highs, but can it all be topped by Daredevil: Cold Day In Hell? The new three-part miniseries from Charles Soule and Steve McNiven kicks off this week, and it has been years in the making. Set in a future where Matt Murdock no longer has his powers and the state of New York is in grave danger, what will happen if Matt must be called back into being a superhero?
It’s important to note that Soule didn’t break down this story panel by panel; instead, McNiven called the visual storytelling shots. That’s a big reason this book looks visually different from McNiven’s usual work, and it’s truly awe-inspiring. The level of detail is there, but there are also plenty of incredible layouts and pages with way more panels than you see in an average comic. The world feels immediately lived-in, falling apart around Matt and desperately needing a beacon of hope.
The story opens with Matt visiting a grave. It takes time to get to the immediate conflict, allowing the reader to soak in the surroundings and Matt’s calm and steady acceptance of the world around him. He’s older, truly blind, and makes do with the gospel, teaching him this is all part of God’s plan. God’s plan includes the reveal of Captain America entrusting Matt with a mission, which kicks off an exciting chase, and the reveal of Bullseye behind something genuinely nefarious.
Look at all those panels.
Again, McNiven’s visual storytelling allows the story to breathe. When Matt gets his powers back, we see this old man suddenly able to move quickly, dodging rubble and saving lives. The final full-page splash will have you all the more excited about this once-retired hero’s return to action.
Matt doesn’t look decrepit, but his gaunt body conveys an older man who hasn’t been fighting for some time. The wrinkles on his face are telling, but he can still move even before he gets his powers back.
Meanwhile, the villain is as grotesque visually as he is spiritually. A scene with Bullseye is pretty damn twisted with the state of another street level hero on disturbing display. You’ll be rooting for Matt to get onto Bullseye’s trail.
Somewhat surprisingly, there aren’t any supporting characters in this story. This is primarily a solo tale with innocent bystanders talking ot Matt, but not many more. Soule capitalizes on the bystanders, though, making them sound realistic. The writing excels in the captions, particularly when Matt gets his powers back. They are laser-focused and confident.
Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 is a beautifully crafted, visually striking take on an aging Matt Murdock, delivering a slow-burning yet emotionally resonant story that explodes into action when it matters most—setting the stage for an unforgettable comeback.
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