Marvel’s Daredevil (Netflix, 2015-present): Comic Influences

[BatmAngelus]

Agreed with TDK, extremely thorough and impressive, SN, considering we're talking about 13 hours of content and decades of Daredevil comics. Makes me want to go back to rewatch Season 1.

[The Dark Knight]

Friends are always telling me to get into Daredevil comics. I've just never gotten around to it. Not because I'm not interested, but I suppose I've got so many other loves to focus on. Eg. Batman, Spider-Man, Bond, Star Wars, Doctor Who, etc. I think I'd start by watching the Daredevil TV series, and that would likely compel me to check out the comics.

[Azrael]

Others said it better, but brilliant. I really liked season 1, this great comic-to-screen article makes me want to rewatch it before season 2 comes out.

[Silver Nemesis]

Thanks for all the positive feedback, fellahs. I wrote this one as a labour of love, but I figured you guys might find it interesting. And I'm glad to hear so many of you are digging the new series.

Friends are always telling me to get into Daredevil comics. I've just never gotten around to it. Not because I'm not interested, but I suppose I've got so many other loves to focus on. Eg. Batman, Spider-Man, Bond, Star Wars, Doctor Who, etc. I think I'd start by watching the Daredevil TV series, and that would likely compel me to check out the comics.

The TV show's not a bad place to start, just as Batman: The Animated Series is a good introduction to the Batman mythology. For anyone looking to get into the Daredevil comics, I'd recommend two essential books that every fan should own:

•   Daredevil by Frank Miller & Klaus Janson Omnibus
•   Daredevil: Born Again

The Miller/Janson omnibus totals over 700 pages and contains almost every Daredevil comic from 1979 to 1983. It's widely regarded as the definitive Daredevil run and its content includes such classic story arcs as 'Gangwar', 'The Elektra Saga' and the Punisher crossover 'Child's Play'. This run defined Daredevil and influenced practically every subsequent writer's take on the material. It's available in a single volume or three separate editions. I've got the hardback single volume edition, and although it's expensive (and heavy), it's definitely worth the price. Get this and you'll have:

•   The first time Daredevil fought Kingpin
•   The first appearance of Elektra
•   The first appearance of the Hand
•   Miller's classic Bullseye story arc
•   The first appearance of Stick
•   The first time Daredevil fought the Punisher
•   Lots of other classic stories

Daredevil: Born Again might be a better place to begin though, since it's cheaper and easier to get hold of. Plus it's arguably the single best Daredevil story (and some would say the best Marvel story, period) ever published. This comes from Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, the same team that brought us Batman: Year One. And trust me; this is even better than Year One. Miller deconstructs Daredevil and rebuilds him from scratch, just like he did with Batman in The Dark Knight Returns. I consider this Miller's finest work as a writer. If you can only afford to get one Daredevil book to begin with, get this one. If you don't like Born Again, you probably won't like Daredevil comics in general. So it's a good litmus test for beginners.

So those are the two I'd recommend for starters. If anyone on the site gets these and likes them, let me know and I'll start another thread with a further recommended reading list. Daredevil comics can be tricky to get into because they're generally grouped into runs rather than individual stories, and you need to read them in the right order or else you miss out on major plot points. The good news is most of the important runs are available in straightforward collections that are easily accessible.

[Silver Nemesis]

Daredevil - Season 2 (2016): Comic Influences

INTRODUCTION

Before I get started on the first episode, I'd just like to mention a possible comic influence on one of the motion posters used to promote season 2. The poster in question is titled 'Hell is Waiting' and depicts Daredevil being dragged down to hell by grasping demonic hands. This image evokes a memorable scene from Kevin Smith and Joe Quesada's Daredevil: Guardian Devil (1999). It may just be a coincidence, but since Quesada is executive producer on the TV show I thought it was worth mentioning.

Moving on to the series itself, actor Jon Bernthal has described Garth Ennis' Punisher MAX series as being the primary influence on his portrayal of the Punisher in Daredevil season 2.

"The Garth Ennis Punisher MAX series is sort of like the end all, be all for me. That's the stuff that I read and reread over and over and over and over again."

http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/jon-bernthal/253834/daredevil-season-2-jon-bernthal-talks-the-punisher

The show's writers have also cited Ennis' work as a major influence, along with Frank Miller's classic run. The 'Elektra Saga' in particular provided much of the source material for the season's central and final acts.

Owing to the large amount of comic references littered throughout this season, I've decided to break this analysis up into two parts. For this first instalment I'm going to look at episodes 1-7, which covers most of the Daredevil vs. Punisher narrative as well as the beginning of the Elektra storyline. I'll look at episodes 8-13 at a later time.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 1: 'BANG'

One of the first things to note about season 2 is that Matt has adopted a cocky swagger since we last saw him. This is consistent with how he's often been portrayed in the comics, particularly during the Stan Lee and Mark Waid runs.

At the start of the season New York is subject to an intense heat wave. This recalls Joe Quesada's Daredevil: Father (2004-2007) miniseries.

The plot of the first four episodes of season 2 adapts numerous elements from Garth Ennis' 'Kitchen Irish' storyline (Punisher Vol 6 #7-12, August-December 2004). Kitchen Irish is the nickname of the Irish mafia operating out of Hell's Kitchen. In both the comic and the TV show their leader was an Irish mobster named Nesbitt (played by Andy Murray).

In the comic Nesbitt died long before the story began and was only seen in flashbacks. In the TV show Nesbitt appears briefly in the first episode before being slaughtered by the Punisher.

Another member of the Irish gang present during the massacre is Kelly Cooley, the son of Finn Cooley. In the comics Finn had a nephew named Peter Cooley. Kelly can be seen as the MCU's answer to Peter.

The shootout where the Punisher first hits the Irish mob was likely inspired by a similar scene from Punisher Vol 6 #9 (September 2004).

A major plot point in these first four episodes is the money the Punisher steals from the dead mobsters. In the 'Kitchen Irish' storyline Nesbitt had left a legacy of $10 million, and the rest of the Irish gangsters were killing each other searching for it. The missing money serves as a McGuffin in both stories.

The money isn't the only thing the Punisher takes from the mob – he also keeps their dog. This dog was likely inspired by Max, the Punisher's pet from the comics. In both the comic and TV show, the Punisher acquires his canine friend after eliminating its abusive former owner. Max first appeared in 'The Squeeze' (Punisher Vol 2 #54, November 1991).

The scene where Matt, Foggy and Karen play pool together is taken from Daredevil: Yellow (2001-2002).

It's during this scene we meet Grotto for the first time. In the comics Grotto is the ne'er-do-well compatriot of Turk, and the two of them are often found socialising together at Josie's Bar along with the other lowlifes. Grotto has no apparent connection to Turk in the TV show, but he does initially meet Matt, Foggy and Karen in Josie's Bar. His full name in the TV series is Elliot Grote, whereas in the comics he is just Grotto. He made his debut in 'Elektra' (Daredevil Vol 1 #168, January 1981).

Grotto describes the scene of the Punisher's hit on the Irish mafia as looking "like a goddamn war zone". This may be a reference to The Punisher War Zone comic that started in 1992.

The scene where Daredevil roughs up Turk for information is typical of the comics.

When Matt and Foggy learn about the hit on the Irish mafia, they discover a biker gang called the Dogs of Hell has also been assaulted. The Dogs of Hell were created for the MCU and first appeared in the Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 'Yes Man' (s1e15).

When Foggy goes to question the Dogs of Hell, a gang member named Leon says, "You've got guts, Harvard. I'll give you that." This might be a reference to the 'Guts' Nelson alias Foggy used in 'Guts' (Daredevil Vol 1 #185, August 1982). Like the TV episode, that story saw Foggy venturing onto dangerous gang turf in search of information and only narrowly escaping with his life.

Karen puts on an emotional act at the hospital to convince the staff she is Grotto's wife. Karen was an aspiring actress in the comics and at one time pursued a career in Hollywood prior to her descent into drugs and pornography.

Towards the end of the episode we get our first proper look at the Punisher, played by Jon Bernthal.

For the first part of the season the Punisher is presented as more of an antagonist than an antihero. This is in line with his very first appearance back in 'The Punisher Strikes Twice!' (The Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 #129, February 1974). The Punisher was originally presented as an adversary for Spider-Man before gradually settling into the role of violent antihero. His progression throughout the second season of Daredevil follows a similar arc. His clothing in the early episodes is based on the outfit he wore in the Punisher MAX series.

The first of several fights between Daredevil and the Punisher occurs at the end of this episode. It begins with Daredevil attacking the Punisher on a rooftop as the latter aims a sniper rifle at a target down below. There are rooftop fights in episodes 2 and 3 which begin in a similar fashion. It might seem like this setup is overused, but this is how most of their rooftop fights have kicked off in the comics. Usually the Punisher is about to kill a criminal on a rooftop, either by throwing them over the edge or shooting them, when Daredevil shows up and interrupts him. Variations of this cliché can be found in the following issues:

•   'Child's Play' (Daredevil Vol 1 #183, June 1982)
•   'Good Guys Wear Red!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #184, July 1982)
•   'The Creep' (The Punisher Vol 2 #10, August 1988)
•   'The Bully' (Daredevil Vol 1 #257, August 1988)
•   'The Devil by the Horns' (Punisher Vol 4 #3, June 2000)
•   'Good Deeds, Bad Deeds' (Daredevil vs. Punisher Vol 1 #1, September 2005)
•   'The People vs Frank Castle: Part II' (Punisher: Trial of the Punisher Vol 1 #2, December 2013)

The earliest rooftop fight between Daredevil and the Punisher took place during their very first crossover story: the aforementioned Daredevil Vol 1 #183, by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson. Their first fight in the TV show is largely based on this issue.

Daredevil is generally portrayed as the superior fighter throughout the series. This is consistent with the comics, where Frank has openly admitted that Daredevil has the more advanced CQC skills. The following panel is from Punisher Vol 4 #3.

Their first fight in the TV series ends the same way as their battle in Daredevil Vol 1 #183 did. Daredevil gets the upper hand and knocks the Punisher to the ground, only for the Punisher to draw a pistol from his ankle holster and shoot Daredevil at point-blank range.

The Punisher's MO precludes him from fatally wounding a hero like Daredevil. Instead Frank shoots him with a tranquiliser in Daredevil Vol 1 #183. In the TV show he shoots him in the head with live ammo.

On the surface this appears to contradict the Punisher's moral code from the comics. However in the following episode Melvin Potter examines the angle at which the bullet struck Daredevil's damaged mask and concludes Frank intentionally discharged a nonlethal shot to merely graze him, not to kill.

[Silver Nemesis]

SEASON 2, EPISODE 2: 'DOGS TO A GUNFIGHT'

This episode introduces Samantha Reyes and Blake Tower, played by Michelle Hurd and Stephen Rider respectively. DA Reyes first appeared in the Marvel's Jessica Jones episode 'AKA Smile' (s1e13), while Tower originated in the comics. He made his debut in 'In the Coils of the Copperhead!' Daredevil Vol 1 #124, August 1975) and subsequently defeated Foggy in the latter's campaign to be re-elected as New York District Attorney. When we first meet him in the TV show, he's a lawyer harbouring ambitions to become DA.

Mahoney mentions receiving advice from someone named Clemons. This is Oscar Clemons, a detective who debuted in the comics back in 'Punisher: One' (Punisher Vol 8 #1, October 2011). Clemons previously appeared in the MCU during the first season of Marvel's Jessica Jones. He first showed up in the episode 'AKA Crush Syndrome' (s1e2) before being murdered in 'AKA 1,000 Cuts' (s1e10) by Will Simpson. In the comics Simpson is better known by his alias 'Nuke' and was originally a Daredevil villain.

Daredevil suffers lingering effects from his head injury in the form of his sensory powers going into overdrive. This also happened in 'Overkill' (Daredevil Vol 1 #187, October 1982).

At one point his senses abandon him altogether and he is unable to hear his own cries. Matt was similarly afflicted in 'Damned If You Do... Damned If You Don't' (Daredevil Vol 3 #14, August 2012) when the Latverians infected him with Ganzfield Mist containing nanodroids programmed to deprive him of his remaining senses. The following issue, 'Hunted in Latveria' (Daredevil Vol 3 #15, September 2012), begins with a scene of total blackness where Matt relates his inability to hear his own cries. A similar moment occurs in the TV show.

Matt visits Melvin Potter to get his costume repaired/upgraded. In the previous season, the trousers from Stilt-Man's costume had been visible in the background of Potter's workshop. In season 2 we see the torso section of Stilt-Man's armour has also been added.

In my season 1 analysis I mentioned the gladiator movie poster hanging on the wall of Potter's workshop. Since the first season aired, a similar poster has been added to Potter's workshop in the comics, as seen here in 'Fragments' (Daredevil Annual Vol 4 #1, October 2016).

The idea of Matt getting his costume upgraded to incorporate better defences is reminiscent of him constructing his armoured costume during the 'Fall from Grace' arc, as depicted in 'Transgression' (Daredevil Vol 1 #321, October 1993).

This episode concludes with a rooftop rematch between Daredevil and the Punisher. The fight appears to be on equal footing until Daredevil's senses go haywire again, making him easy prey for his opponent. This is also happened back in Daredevil Vol 1 #187, when Matt's malfunctioning senses left him at the mercy of a group of thugs in a pool hall.

With Daredevil incapacitated, the Punisher is able to knock him unconscious and take him prisoner. This also happened in Punisher Vol 4 #3, where the Punisher captured Daredevil after attacking his senses with an ultrasonic trap.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 3: 'NEW YORK'S FINEST'

This episode begins with a dream sequence in which a nun tends to Matt's wounds as he convalesces. This is based on a pivotal scene from 'Born Again' where Matt recalls a nun visiting him in hospital after he was first blinded as a boy. In the comics this nun was later revealed to be Matt's mother, Sister Maggie. The image of the crucifix dangling from her neck as she leans over Matt is taken directly from 'Pariah' (Daredevil Vol 1 #229, April 1986).

This episode is largely adapted from the previously mentioned 'The Devil by the Horns' from Punisher Vol 4 #3. The similarities first become apparent when Daredevil recovers consciousness to find himself chained up on a rooftop with a pistol taped to his right hand, just as he did in the comic.

The Punisher frequently refers to Daredevil as "red". This is one of the many nicknames applied to Daredevil in the comics. The following example is spoken by Taskmaster in 'Murder by Numbers' (Daredevil Vol 1 #293, June 1991) – a story featuring yet another battle between Daredevil and the Punisher.

The Punisher's dismissal of Daredevil's nonlethal methods as a "half measure" is an accurate representation of his attitude towards Matt in the comics. The following panels are from 'Over the Line' (Daredevil vs. Punisher Vol 1 #4, November 2005). Note the Punisher's use of the term "half measures" to describe a nonlethal resolution to their conflict.

Certain pieces of information about the Punisher are revealed throughout the course of this episode, mostly during his conversations with the captive Daredevil and an elderly resident who ventures onto the roof to investigate the noise:

•   The Punisher tells the old man his name is 'Frank'. At the end of the episode a hospital file reveals his surname to be 'Castle'.
•   When Frank identifies the bells of St. Matthew's he lets slip his Catholic New York background. In the comics Frank is indeed from New York and had actually trained to be a priest before leaving the seminary to join the army.
•   The old man mentions having served in Vietnam with the 3rd marine division. In the comics Frank himself served with the 3rd marine division and was originally a Vietnam veteran. In the TV series his military record is updated so he served in the Middle East.

The old man says "Welcome home" to Frank before leaving the roof. This evokes the title of the trade paperback edition of Punisher Vol 4 – 'Welcome Back, Frank' – which includes the issue on which this episode is principally based.

When talking with Foggy at the hospital, Claire Temple mentions a "big guy" who is stronger than Matt. This is a nod to Luke Cage, who was introduced into the MCU in the Marvel's Jessica Jones episode 'AKA Ladies Night' (s1e1). Cage first appeared in the comics in 'Out of Hell – a Hero!' (Hero for Hire Vol 1 #1, June 1972).

A pivotal moment occurs when the Punisher threatens to shoot Grotto unless Daredevil uses the gun taped to his hand to stop him. This would involve killing Frank with a headshot, since the rest of his body is covered in protective armour. This scenario is adapted directly from Punisher Vol 4 #3, only in the comic it was Dino Gnucci the Punisher was threatening to shoot, not Grotto.

Some of the dialogue from this scene is taken almost verbatim from Punisher Vol 4 #3.

From 'The Devil by the Horns':

•   PUNISHER: "I'm wearing Kevlar. It's got to be a headshot."

From 'New York's Finest':

•   PUNISHER: "...I'm all geared up. Only way you stop me is with a headshot."

From 'The Devil by the Horns':

•   PUNISHER: "If you don't shoot, you've got a death on your conscience. A death you could have prevented. If you do shoot, you're a killer."
•   DAREDEVIL: "What kind of choice is that...?"
•   PUNISHER: "The one I make every time I pull the trigger. The one I'm making now."

From 'New York's Finest':

•   PUNISHER: "You don't do it, his death's on you. Either way, you're a killer."
•   DAREDEVIL: "What kind of choice is that?"
•   PUNISHER: "The kind I make every time I pull the trigger. The kind I'm gonna make right now."

In the comic Daredevil tries shooting the Punisher but finds the gun has no firing pin. The Punisher then shoots Gnucci and knocks Daredevil unconscious. The scene in the TV episode ends very differently. Here the gun is loaded and Daredevil uses the bullet to shoot the chain binding him. He then springs into action and attacks the Punisher, but not before Frank shoots Grotto and opens fire on the Dogs of Hell in the street below. In both versions of the scene, the Punisher succeeds in shooting his target. But while the comic scene ends with the Punisher knocking out Daredevil, the TV scene ends with Daredevil beating the Punisher unconscious.

Grotto's death in the TV episode is a significant departure from the source material. In the comics there's a running gag that Turk and Grotto always survive their nefarious misadventures. But in the TV series Grotto is not so fortunate.

The moment where Daredevil points the gun at the Dogs of Hell gang members is a recreation of Frank Miller's cover art from Daredevil Vol 1 #184, which was the concluding issue of the very first Daredevil/Punisher crossover.

Daredevil wielding the chain as a weapon evokes the image of fellow hero Ghost Rider's signature weapon. The following panel is from 'Devil and the Demon' (Daredevil Vol 1 #372, February 1998).

The final scene of the episode sees Karen discovering Frank's x-ray in a file given to her by Tower. The x-ray foreshadows the Punisher's iconic skull emblem.

[Silver Nemesis]

SEASON 2, EPISODE 4: 'PENNY AND DIME'

This episode is mostly adapted from Garth Ennis' 'Kitchen Irish' storyline. Following Nesbitt's death in the comic, command of the Irish mafia was assumed by a psychotic gangster named Finn Cooley. In the TV show Finn is played by Tony Curran, who had previously appeared in the MCU as Bor in Thor: The Dark World (2013). Cooley was a former IRA operative in the comic, and a similar background is hinted at in the TV show.

The comic book Finn's main distinguishing physical feature is that the top half of his face is missing, having been burned off when one of his own bombs exploded in his face. In the TV show he initially bears no such disfigurement.

The sequence where Cooley's thugs brutalise local shop owners to draw out the Punisher is similar to a scene in 'The Big Squeeze' (Daredevil vs. Punisher Vol 1 #2, September 2005) where Hammerhead's thugs did the same thing.

The scene where the Punisher is captured by Finn's men at the fairground recalls a similar moment from 'Valley Forge, Valley Forge: Part IV' (Punisher Vol 6 #58, August 2008) where Frank was captured by Colonel Howe and his men. In both stories, the Punisher fends off armed forces using a combination of hand-to-hand combat and gunmanship before eventually being subdued. And in both stories he displays an impressive resistance to being tasered by his assailants.

Elsewhere, Daredevil gets his new improved costume from Melvin Potter. The improved season 2 design features more red than the outfit from the previous season, bringing it more in line with the classic red suit from the comics. But it still retains a mixture of red and black elements, reflecting the binary colour scheme of the contemporary costume introduced in Daredevil Vol 5.

Potter reveals he is wearing his classic comic book costume for protection beneath his ordinary day clothes.

Karen digs into the Punisher's past and discovers he had a son and daughter. The name of Frank's daughter is revealed to be Lisa, the same as in the source material.

Both the Punisher MAX comics and the TV show feature scenes where Finn viciously beats the Punisher. In the comic he does this during the final shootout, wounding Frank with a grenade and them pummelling him while he's stunned. In the TV show he has him tied up and tortured with an electric drill. In both stories, Finn succeeds in severely injuring the Punisher.

The Punisher displays an extremely high resistance to torture. Frank has demonstrated a similarly high pain threshold in the comics.

The Punisher eventually tells Finn the location of the suitcase containing Nesbitt's money. When Finn's thugs go to collect it, they find the Punisher has rigged an explosive trap which blows both them and the money to smithereens. The same thing happened in the comic, only it was Nesbitt himself who rigged the bomb to the suitcase. Finn is not present for the explosion in the TV series, while in the comic he was killed in the blast.

The scene of Punisher's capture, torture and escape from the Irish mob also derives influence from 'Man of Stone' (Punisher Vol 6 #37-42, November 2006-February 2007). The moment where he cuts his bonds using a razor he'd hidden inside his wrist is taken from Punisher Vol 6 #41.

Punisher then grabs a gun from his nearest captor and proceeds to shoot everyone in the room. The following panels are taken from Punisher Vol 6 #37.

Finn's demise visually recalls Microchip's death from 'In the Beginning: Conclusion' (Punisher Vol 6 #6, July 2004).

When the Punisher kills Finn he blows his face off with a shotgun, leaving his corpse with the same disfigurement as his comic book counterpart.

After killing Finn, the Punisher finds himself cornered by the remaining gang members. Luckily Daredevil shows up and deals with them, then helps the wounded Punisher make his escape. While they're frequently at odds on moral grounds, Daredevil and the Punisher have nevertheless helped each other out of scrapes on numerous occasions. The following comparison is with a scene from 'An Eye for an Eye – Chapter III: A Dish Best Served Cold' (Punisher War Journal Vol 1 #3, February 1989).

Following their escape from the Irish mob, Daredevil hands the Punisher over to Brett Mahoney. Needless to say Frank has been arrested and incarcerated many times in the comics.

Towards the end of the episode Matt and Karen share their first kiss in the rain. This scene may have been influenced by a similar moment between Matt and Elektra in Mark Steven Johnson's Daredevil (2003) movie.

The episode ends with Matt returning to his apartment to find Elektra waiting for him. He initially doesn't notice she is there and it takes him a while to detect her. This could be due to his being distracted after his moment of intimacy with Karen, or it could be Elektra's ninja abilities allowing her to disguise her presence. Elektra has displayed similar skills in the comics. She's one of the few people who can fool Matt's lie detector.

In the comics Elektra Natchios is of Greek descent. She is usually depicted as having black hair and blue eyes, although her eyes have sometimes been presented as brown (for example, during the Miller/Janson run). In the TV series Elektra is played by Élodie Yung, an actress of mixed Asian and European ancestry who has black hair and brown eyes. In the comics Elektra is 5'9 and sports an athletic physique honed through years of martial arts training. Yung is 5'7 and has a similarly athletic build. She also holds a black belt in karate and has trained for over a decade in martial arts. Elektra first appeared in the comics in the aforementioned Daredevil Vol 1 #168.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 5: 'KINBAKU'

This episode is divided between scenes in the present and flashbacks occurring during Matt and Foggy's college years. This is the same structure used by Frank Miller in Daredevil Vol 1 #168. However the characterisation of Elektra in the series – initially as a sadistic thrill-seeker who gets turned on by violence and tries to lure Matt down a dark path – is far more indebted to Miller's revisionist take on her and Matt's college romance from the Daredevil: The Man Without Fear (1993-1994) miniseries.

In both the comics and the TV show, Matt and Elektra first meet at a time before either of them has embarked on their costumed careers. Elektra is a wealthy diplomat's daughter in both versions of the story.

The hostility Matt shows towards Elektra in the present day scenes contrasts strongly with their intimate relationship in the flashbacks. Again this recalls Daredevil Vol 1 #168, in which they were portrayed as lovers in the flashback scenes but enemies in the present.

The flashback scenes of college-age Elektra driving Matt around in a red convertible are taken from The Man Without Fear.

Tower reveals to Foggy his ambitions to become District Attorney. In the comics Tower successfully ran against Foggy in the latter's DA re-election campaign, eventually supplanting him as New York District Attorney.

Hirochi makes his first appearance in this episode, played by Ron Nakahara. Lord Hirochi featured prominently in the comics during Ed Brubaker's 'Lady Bullseye' arc. He first appeared in Daredevil Vol 2 #111 (November 2008) and is a high-ranking member of the Hand in both the comics and the TV series.

We see Matt and Elektra sparring together during one of the flashbacks. Elektra becomes aroused by the violence, much the way she did in The Man Without Fear. At one point Matt playfully slaps her on the backside. There's a widely circulated comic panel – which has become something of a meme on the internet – showing Daredevil slapping Black Widow on the bottom. The panel in question comes from 'And a HYDRA New Year!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #120, April 1975).

The sparring scene concludes with Matt and Elektra consummating their relationship. They also slept together during their college years in The Man Without Fear.

Karen mentions that Frank Castle had been awarded the Navy Cross. This was one of the many decorations Frank received in the comics for his services in Vietnam. Karen also reveals some additional information about Frank's family: his wife's name was Maria Elizabeth, his daughter's name was Lisa Barbara, and his son's name was Frank Jr. These names are all taken from the comics.

During their conversation at Josie's Bar, Marci mentions Jessica Jones to Foggy. Jessica is another New York superhero who is scheduled to team up with Daredevil in Marvel's The Defenders (2017). She first appeared in the comics in 'Alias Investigations' (Alias Vol 1 #1, November 2001) and made her MCU debut in the Marvel's Jessica Jones episode 'AKA Ladies Night' (s1e1).

One of the less obvious comic references in this episode can be found in the newspaper article Karen uncovers detailing the massacre in the park. Within the article is a quote attributed to a Detective Nick Manolis.

Manolis was an ally of Daredevil's in the comics until Kingpin had him murdered during the 'Born Again' storyline. He first appeared in '...The Mauler!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #167, November 1980).

Another newspaper can be seen with the headline 'Cybertek Settles'. In the comics Cybertek Systems Inc. is the cybernetics division of the Roxxon Energy Corporation. Cybertek debuted in the comics in 'Sign of the Beast' (Marvel Comics Presents Vol 1 #62, November 1990) and first featured in the MCU in the Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 'T.R.A.C.K.S.' (s1e13).

Towards the end of the episode we see a flashback where Matt confronts Roscoe 'Fixer' Sweeney, the man who ordered his father's death. In the comics Daredevil settled his score with Sweeney during his very first costumed adventure, back in 'The Origin of Daredevil' (Daredevil Vol 1 #1, April 1964). In the TV show Matt confronts Sweeney before he becomes Daredevil. This reflects Frank Miller's version of events – as depicted in the second chapter of The Man Without Fear – which also showed a young Matt facing Sweeney during his pre-Daredevil years. Both comic book versions of this confrontation end with Matt chasing Sweeney into an underground railway station where the latter dies of a heart attack. The confrontation in the TV show ends with Matt viciously beating Sweeney but ultimately sparing him. If we compare this with the second chapter of The Man Without Fear, Matt's assault on Sweeney in the TV show more closely resembles his attack on Slade, one of the men who murdered Jack Murdock on Sweeney's orders. In both scenes, Matt unleashes a rapid flurry of punches that reduces his opponent's face to a bloody pulp.

Elektra's willingness to murder Sweeney, and Matt's refusal to do so, result in them going their separate ways. In the comics it was the death of Elektra's father that served as the catalyst for their breakup.

In the final scene of the episode Elektra mentions Asano, the Japanese branch of Roxxon. Asano Robotics first appeared in the comics in 'Retribution' (Iron Man Vol 1 #257, June 1990). The company was first referenced in the MCU in the form of a logo seen on the side of a shipping container in the Marvel's Daredevil episode 'Stick' (s1e7).

[Silver Nemesis]

SEASON 2, EPISODE 6: 'REGRETS ONLY'

In this episode Nelson & Murdock agree to take on the Punisher's case and defend him in court. Matt has been portrayed as Frank's attorney is several previous stories, including The Punisher videogame (based on the 2004 movie of the same name) and Garth Ennis' non-canon one-shot Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe (November 1995).

Frank tells Karen that his wife and kids were killed while they were on a family day out in the park. This is consistent with how the Castles were killed in the comics, as originally depicted in 'Death Sentence' (Marvel Preview Vol 1 #2, August 1975).

Elektra's penchant for red outfits reflects her fashion sense in the comics. She and Matt doll themselves up to attend a social function at the Yokatomi Building. The comic book Matt has been shown to cut a similarly dapper figure while wearing tuxedos. The following example is from 'Blind Man's Bluff: Part I' (Daredevil Vol 5 #8, August 2016), though his companion in this panel is not Elektra.

At one point Elektra calls Matt 'Magoo' in reference to the visually impaired cartoon character of the same name. Matt has been called this in the comics a number of times. The following example is from 'The Omega Effect: Part III' (Daredevil Vol 3 #11, June 2012).

As Matt and Elektra search the Yokatomi Building, the former applies his sensory skills in a number of inventive ways. He is able to unlock a safe by using his enhanced hearing to tell when the tumblers are aligned. The following panel is from 'Vengeance is the Copperhead!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #125, September 1975).

He is also able to sense the electrical current running to a secret door behind a wall. The comic book Matt can also sense electronic mechanisms through solid objects. The following example is from Daredevil Vol 3 #20 (January 2013).

SEASON 2, EPISODE 7: 'SEMPER FIDELIS'

The plot about Frank Castle's trial recalls Marc Guggenheim's Punisher: Trial of the Punisher (2013) miniseries. In the comic Frank is represented by a public defender named Lisa Santos. Santos suggests playing up Frank's mental instability as part of their defence, much like Karen suggests in the TV episode.

Karen asks Frank to name a character witness to testify on his behalf during his trial, and Frank suggests Colonel Ray Schoonover, his former CO. Schoonover plays an important role in the second half of the season but doesn't appear on screen until the episode 'Guilty as Sin' (s2e8). He debuted in the comics back in 'Sniper' (Punisher War Journal Vol 1 #4, March 1989). I'll come back to him later.

Much of the dramatic conflict in this episode arises from Foggy's frustration over Matt prioritising his costumed antics over their law firm. Similar tensions have arisen in the comics many times. The following panels are from 'The Widow's Bite' (Daredevil Vol 1 #188, November 1982).

In both the comics and the TV show, Matt's body is covered in scars from injuries sustained in earlier battles. The scene in this episode where Elektra strokes his scars and asks how he got them is very similar to a scene between Matt and Milla Donovan during Brian Michael Bendis' 'Hardcore' storyline; specifically in Daredevil Vol 2 #48 (August 2003). In both scenes Matt's love interest strokes his body while asking how he acquired each of his wounds, and in both stories Matt relates his scars to injuries we saw inflicted on him in earlier issues/episodes.

One of these scars was acquired during Matt's fight against Nobu in 'Speak of the Devil' (s1e9). During my analysis of the first season, I speculated that Nobu might be the comic book character Kagenobu Yoshioka. Elektra more or less confirms this theory when she reveals to Matt that Nobu's full name is Nobu Yoshioka.

The episode ends with Daredevil and Elektra investigating the property the Hand has purchased in Hell's Kitchen. Inside, they discover a vast pit has been dug for an unknown purpose. While the function of this pit has yet to be fully explained, it seems to have some bearing on the Hand's plot to conjure 'Black Sky'. In my season 1 analysis I suggested Black Sky might be the TV show's answer to 'the Beast', the demonic being worshipped by the Hand in the comics. Season 2 offers further evidence to support this theory. More on that next time.

Bur for now, I'll leave it there.

[Silver Nemesis]

Before I dive into episode 8, I first want to mention one of the promotional images for season 2. The picture in question depicts Daredevil set against a black backdrop and grinning as blood runs down the lower half of his face. This might have been inspired by Joe Quesada's cover art for Daredevil Father #5 (January 2006).

SEASON 2, EPISODE 8: 'GUILTY AS SIN'

Episode 8 begins with Daredevil and Elektra being attacked by members of the Hand. The Hand wear their signature red and black outfits from the comics.

Matt is unable to hear them on account of their ninja skills and lack of heartbeat. Daredevil also had difficulty hearing the Hand when he first encountered them back in 'The Assassination of Matt Murdock' (Daredevil Vol 1 #174., September 1981).

Their ability to conceal themselves from his radar recalls the comic book villain Hellspawn, who was also invisible to Matt's senses.

Unlike most of the fodder Daredevil encounters, the Hand warriors prove worthy adversaries and are able to match his martial arts skills on even footing.

At one point Matt catches an arrow fired by a Hand ninja. He's caught arrows numerous times in the comics. The following example is from 'Confrontation' (Daredevil Vol 1 #322, November 1993).

The plotline in this episode about Elektra being poisoned by the blade of a Hand ninja is taken from Daredevil Vol 1 #187-189 (October-December 1982), only in the original comic it was Black Widow who was poisoned. Black Widow and Elektra are both former love interests of Daredevil in the comics, though in the MCU Matt has yet to meet Natasha.

In both stories Daredevil and Stick attempt to heal the poisoned love interest at Matt's apartment. In the comic Black Widow's heart stops beating, but Stone revives her using his mystical ninja powers. In the TV episode Stick cures Elektra using arcane medicine.

Matt's current love interest visits his apartment and walks in on him with his former girlfriend.

The Hand also track Daredevil to the apartment and attack him while Black Widow/Elektra is convalescing. In the comic they attack en masse and Daredevil is aided by Stick, Stone, Claw, Staff and Black Widow. In the TV episode only one ninja attacks and Matt fights him one-on-one, with minimal help from Elektra.

Karen's reaction to seeing Elektra in Matt's bed recalls her reaction to learning of Matt's affair with Mary Walker in 'In Bitterness Not Far from Death...' (Daredevil Vol 1 #263, February 1989).

Elektra's connection to Stick is revealed in this episode. In both the comics and TV show, Stick trained Elektra in preparation for a mysterious 'war'. Stick also refers to the yakuza as 'the Hand' for the very first time and introduces his own faction as 'the Chaste'. He confirms the Hand have the ability to return from the dead, just as they do in the comics.

At one point Stick says "Enough with these amateurs. It's time to get the band back together." Stone constantly referred to Matt as "amateur" when they first met and fought alongside one another in the comics.

Stick then instructs his driver to "Head to the Wall." The Wall is the Chaste's base of operations in the comics.

Elsewhere in this episode we see the Punisher's trial commence. Foggy brings in Colonel Ray Schoonover (played by Clancy Brown) to testify as a character witness on Frank's behalf. In the comics Colonel Ray Schoonover was Frank's C.O. in Vietnam and was one of the principal antagonists in 'Sniper' (The Punisher War Journal Vol 1 #4-5, March-April 1989). Much of the Punisher's plotline in the second half of Daredevil season 2 is adapted from this story.

While on the stand, Schoonover recounts how Frank once singlehandedly cleared a landing zone in Afghanistan. In the comic Schoonover ordered Frank to clear an L.Z. in Vietnam. When Frank and the other soldiers failed to do this in time, Schoonover himself opened fire on ground forces from an evac chopper and inadvertently shot several of his own men.

The scene where Frank takes to the stand recalls Punisher: Trial of the Punisher #2 (December 2013).

In both the comic and TV series Frank openly and unapologetically admits to his crimes in front of a shocked jury.

The final scene of this episode sees Frank going to prison. There he meets with a mysterious contact who is revealed to be Wilson Fisk. Fisk is shown lifting heavy weights, an image evoked many times in the comics.

Frank has gone to prison numerous times over the years. The first occasion was in 'Spider-Man: Threat or Menace?' (The Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 Annual #15, October 1981) where he allowed himself to be arrested so he could gain access to the criminals in prison. In the TV show he deliberately sabotages his own legal defence so he can meet Fisk in jail.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 9: 'SEVEN MINUTES IN HELL'

This episode begins with an extended flashback showing what happened to Fisk after he was captured by Daredevil at the end of season 1. It is during these flashbacks the name 'Kingpin' is used for the first time. Initially Dutton, Fisk's rival for control of the prison, uses the name. Later Fisk refers to himself by this moniker when he tells the dying Dutton, "In prison, there's only room for one Kingpin."

Needless to say Fisk has spent a lot of time in prison in the comics too. But he always ends up running the show. The following comparison is from 'Back in Black: Part III' (The Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 #541, June 2007).

Benjamin Donovan makes his MCU debut in this episode played by Danny Johnson. In the comics Donovan was originally a Harlem lawyer and friend of Luke Cage. Later he turned to crime and became involved in drug trafficking operations for the Maggia. In the TV series he's portrayed as Wilson Fisk's attorney. Donovan debuted in the comics in 'Retribution!' (Luke Cage, Hero for Hire Vol 1 #15, November 1973).

Though primarily associated with Luke Cage, Donovan has also encountered Daredevil in the comics; perhaps most memorably during Ed Brubaker's 'Cruel & Unusual' storyline (Daredevil Vol 2 #107-110, July-October 2008), where Matt was hired to save him from death row.

The Punisher's prison fight has numerous precedents in the comics. The very first Daredevil/Punisher crossover – Frank Miller's 'She's Alive' (Daredevil Vol 1 #182, May 1982) – featured a prison fight between Frank and his fellow inmates. However the fight in the TV show is most similar to a sequence from The Punisher Vol 9 #10-11, November-December 2014).

During the fight, the face of one of the Punisher's opponents leaves a bloody imprint on his clothing shaped like the classic skull emblem from the comics.

This episode contains an intriguing hint regarding Karen's secret past. We see a brief close-up of a newspaper article detailing a fatal accident in Vermont involving a teenager named Kevin Paxton Page. The adjacent article references a Paxton and Penelope Page.

Paxton and Penelope Page were Karen's parents in the comics. As in the TV show, they hailed from Vermont. Kevin Paxton would appear to be Karen's brother. She never had a brother in the comics. Instead her family secret revolved around the fact her father, Paxton, had invented the cobalt bomb. This was revealed in the classic Silver Age story '...And Death Came Riding!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #56, September 1969).

In my analysis of the first season of Daredevil I speculated that Nobu would be resurrected the way Kirigi was in the comics. At the end of this episode Daredevil discovers Nobu has indeed risen from the dead.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 10: 'THE MAN IN THE BOX'

Foggy reveals Castle was imprisoned in 'cell block D' along with Wilson Fisk. This could be a nod to Ed Brubaker's 'The Devil in Cell Block D' (Daredevil Vol 2 #82-87, April-September 2006), in which Matt and Frank joined forces to escape from prison. Fisk was also an inmate in that story.

The storyline about the mysterious gunman terrorising New York references the aforementioned 'Sniper' storyline (The Punisher War Journal Vol 1 #4-5).

The scene where Matt visits Fisk in prison recalls a similar moment from Daredevil Vol 3 #10.1 (June 2012) where Matt visited Pyromania in jail. In both scenes the prisoner suddenly attacks Matt and slams his head into a table.

Later in the episode Fisk requests one of his lackeys bring him information on Matt, suggesting he may be on the cusp of discovering Daredevil's true identity. This might foreshadow the 'Born Again' storyline being adapted in season 3.

Elektra fights and kills a French assassin named Jacques Duchamps, played by Gilles Marini. Jacques may have been influenced by the comic character Jean-Paul Duchamp, a French pilot and ally of Moon Knight. But besides their name and nationality, they have very little in common.

Once Elektra has killed Jacques, she takes his sai and continues to wield them throughout the remainder of the season. These are her signature weapons in the comics.

The final scene of this episode sees Daredevil looking down from the roof of a hospital at night as the Hand scale the walls below. This is visually redolent of the cliff-hanger ending to 'Flying Blind Part I' (Daredevil Vol 1 #376, June 1998) where Matt and Claudia DuBois realised the latter's apartment building was being assailed by an army of ninja.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 11: '.380'

During the opening sequence of this episode, Claire Temple gets knocked out of a hospital window and Daredevil dives headfirst after her. He pulls off similarly dangerous stunts in the comics on a regular basis. The following example is from Daredevil Vol 1 #322.

One of the bloodiest scenes in this episode sees the Punisher torturing a criminal in a diner. Torture is often a part of Frank's MO in the comics.

Although he isn't identified as the mysterious sniper until the following episode, the character of Gosnell (played by Nicholas Tucci) makes his first onscreen appearance at the end of this episode. Gosnell is based on the comic character Rich van Burian, aka Sniper, who first appeared in The Punisher War Journal Vol 1 #4. Both characters are skilled marksmen who formerly served in the army alongside Frank but are now working as assassins/enforcers for Schoonover's drug smuggling operation.

Towards the end of this episode the Hand are shown performing a blood rite connected with the conjuring of Black Sky. In Frank Miller's Elektra: Assassin (1986-1987) the Hand introduced the Beast's evil into its prospective host by making that person consume its milk. In the TV show they appear to use a blood transfusion to achieve a similar goal. In Shadowland (2010) the Hand describe this transformative process as "the black alchemy of the soul". The scene where they are shown cutting their wrists as part of this ritual is evocative of the blood rite they performed to resurrect Kirigi in Daredevil Vol 1 #187.

Elektra stabbing Quinn through the back of his seat recalls the time she killed Ben Urich's informant in 'Spiked!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #179, February 1982).

[Silver Nemesis]

SEASON 2, EPISODE 12: 'THE DARK AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL'

This episode presents us with Elektra's back story in the form of flashbacks. Elektra's training was first portrayed in 'Resurrection' (Daredevil Vol 1 #190, January 1983) and was expanded upon in several later comics, including Elektra: Assassin.

In the comics Elektra's father sent her to train with a sensei at a young age, and he in turn sent her to train with the Chaste.

The flashbacks in the TV show depict the young Elektra (played by Lily Chee) as an orphan who is found by Stick and taken in by the Chaste. Later she is adopted by an ambassador and his wife. In the comics she was a diplomat's daughter before she encountered the Chaste. In both stories Stick eventually casts Elektra out of the enclave against her will.

During the flashbacks we are introduced to another member of the Chaste named Star, played by Laurence Mason. Star first appeared in the comics in 'Balancing Act' (Daredevil Vol 1 #296, September 1991) and was killed that same issue by the treacherous Spear. In the TV show he is killed by Stick. In both stories Star is betrayed and murdered by a fellow member of the Chaste. He is present at the time of Elektra's training in both Elektra: Assassin and the TV show.

In the comics Star's speciality was throwing ninja blades. Laurence Mason previously appeared in Alex Proyas' The Crow (1994) in which he played the villainous Tin Tin, who also specialised in throwing blades. Not a comic reference exactly, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

In the TV series Elektra is shown killing her first victim – a fellow student of the Chaste – when she is twelve years old. In Daredevil Vol 1 #190 Elektra is shown to kill for the first time at the age of twenty while training with the Hand. Her first victim was her former sensei, whom she unwittingly slaughtered at the Hand's behest. However the Daredevil: The Man Without Fear miniseries shows Elektra killing members of a street gang when she is nineteen. The characterisation of Elektra in the TV series – as a bloodthirsty killer who was already taking lives when she was a teenager – is definitely closer to the version from The Man Without Fear than the earlier Earth-616 depiction.

The one major omission from Elektra's origin story in the TV series is the death of her diplomat father. In the comics this event caused her to drop out of college and eventually embark upon the life of a coldblooded assassin. In the TV show her adopted father's death is vaguely alluded to, but it is Stick's abandonment of her that causes the most emotional damage. In that sense, the impact of losing Stick as a surrogate father figure can be seen as roughly analogous to the bereavement she felt upon losing her biological father in the comics.

Elsewhere in this episode, Karen discovers that Colonel Ray Schoonover is the elusive 'Blacksmith' in charge of the drug smuggling operation. Schoonover had used the sniper Gosnell to eliminate anyone connected with the cover-up surrounding the slaughter of Frank's family and to frame the Punisher himself for those crimes. In the comics Schoonover had run an illegal drug smuggling operation out of Vietnam and later used the sniper Rich van Burian to eliminate any witnesses that might jeopardise his run for the US Senate.

The MCU version of Schoonover also resembles another character from the comics called Gunnery Sergeant Cleve Gorman. Gorman was another of Frank's commanding officers and was also involved in a drug smuggling operation, as depicted in Punisher: Return to Big Nothing (June 1989).

In the comic the Punisher makes Schoonover confess his crimes to a reporter before forcing him to shoot himself in the head. In the TV episode the Punisher shoots Schoonover in the head personally.

Frank then discovers a secret cache of weapons that includes body armour shaped like his classic comic book costume.

The scenes where Daredevil is searching for the Hand in the tunnels beneath the streets of New York are very typical of the comics. Many times Daredevil has had to descend into the city's underground passageways to track his enemies. The Hand have also been shown to use the tunnels beneath New York to sneak around in the comics.

Matt follows some Hand ninja back to their hideout. There Elektra attempts to kill Stick by hurling a sai at him, only for Daredevil to catch it. The following comparison is from 'Devil's Due: Part I' (Ultimate Elektra Vol 1 #1, October 2004).

Nobu reveals that Elektra is a Black Sky and invites her to assume control of the Hand. Once again, the Black Sky appears to be the MCU version of the Beast. In the comics Daredevil himself eventually became possessed by the Beast during the Shadowland arc. But before that, the Hand attempted to use Elektra as a vessel for the Beast during the events of Elektra: Assassin.

Daredevil holding a katana to Elektra's throat to ward off the Hand references a scene from 'The Return of the King – Conclusion' (Daredevil Vol 1 #500, October 2009), where he kept the Hand at bay by threatening one of their ninja lords. Hirochi is killed in both of these scenes. In the comic he is murdered by Kingpin. In the TV show he is seemingly killed after Stick bites a chunk out of his neck.

The image of Daredevil holding Elektra captive also mirrors the following image by Gabriele Dell'Otto depicting Daredevil and Black Widow.

Nobu's line "Daredevil must die" evokes the title of the classic Silver Age story 'Mike Murdock Must Die!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #27, April 1967), as well as a line spoken by Mandrill in the Bronze Age story 'Birthright!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #110, June 1974): "Daredevil must die tonight!"

SEASON 2, EPISODE 13: 'A COLD DAY IN HELL'S KITCHEN'

Elektra refers to Nobu as "the head of the snake". This could be an allusion to Snakeroot, a powerful and manipulative sub-faction of the Hand that was introduced in the comics during Dan Chichester's run.

Carrie-Anne Moss makes an appearance in this episode as Jeri Hogarth. Hogarth made her MCU debut in the Jessica Jones episode 'AKA Ladies Night' (s1e1) and is based on the comic book character Jeryn Hogarth, who first appeared in 'Death Match!' (Iron Fist Vol 1 #6, August 1976).

Now that Nelson & Murdock has disbanded, Jeri offers Foggy a job at her law firm of Hogarth, Chao and Benowitz. Foggy's worked for several other law firms over the years whenever he and Matt have gone their separate ways. In this instance, his lateral career move might be another clue towards 'Born Again' being adapted in season 3.

Matt takes Elektra to see Melvin so he can measure her up for a costume. During this visit, Melvin gives Daredevil his new upgraded billy clubs that include a grapple launcher and nunchuk function. His billy clubs are now more or less up to spec with the versions from the comics.

Frank creates his classic costume by spray painting his skull emblem onto some body armour. The following panel is from 'The Omega Effect: Part II' (Punisher Vol 8 #10, June 2012).

While racing to Karen's apartment, Daredevil swings on his billy club grapple cable for the first time.

Elektra's costume is revealed towards the end of this episode. It's a similar shape to her classic comic book costume, only her legs are covered and the areas that should be red are coloured black. Rather than her signature headscarf from the comics, she wears a mask around her lower face.

During the rooftop finale, Matt clicks his billy clubs together to form nunchuks while battling Nobu. Daredevil first did this in the comics in the previously mentioned Daredevil Vol 1 #323.

Nobu kills Elektra by stabbing her with her own sai. This image is adapted from the classic Frank Miller story 'Last Hand' (Daredevil Vol 1 #181, April 1982), only in the comic it was Bullseye who killed Elektra.

Elektra dies in Matt's arms.

In both the comic and TV show, the vengeful Daredevil then engages Elektra's killer in one-on-one combat. The battle in both stories ends with Matt dropping his opponent from a great height. In the comic he drops Bullseye from a cable suspended between two rooftops. In the TV episode he wraps his grapple cable around Nobu's neck and hurls him off a roof.

In both stories Matt's opponent survives their fall. Nobu is subsequently dispatched when Stick decapitates him. This is how Elektra killed Kirigi in 'Hunters' (Daredevil Vol 1 #176, November 1981). Kirigi returned from the dead in a later issue, but Nobu appears to be gone for good this time.

Frank shows up during the finale to assist Daredevil. It's now we see him in his classic Punisher costume for the first time.

The image of Matt standing over Elektra's grave in the snow is taken directly from Daredevil Vol 1 #181.

Frank returns to his home one last time and retrieves a hidden disk from a picture frame. Written on the disk is the word 'Micro'. This is a nod to Microchip, the Punisher's tech-savvy ally from the comics.

Elsewhere, Matt reveals to Karen that he is Daredevil. He did this in the comics back in 'In the Midst of Life...!' (Daredevil Vol 1 #57, October 1969). The revelation was a cliffhanger ending in the comics, just as it is the TV series. The fact Karen now possesses this dangerous piece of information could be yet another hint towards 'Born Again' being adapted in season 3.

The season ends on a mysterious note where we see the Hand have stolen Elektra's corpse from her grave, just as they did in Daredevil Vol 1 #190.

Her remains are taken back to the Hand's hideout and placed in a coffin connected to the blood supply that was ritualistically spilled back in '.380' (s2e11). As I mentioned earlier, the Hand used a similar blood rite to resurrect Kirigi in Daredevil Vol 1 #187. It looks like they're going to do the same thing to resurrect Elektra in the MCU. The following panels are from Daredevil Vol 1 #190.

The Japanese writing on the lid of the coffin translates as 'resurrection', which was also the title of the comic story in which Elektra was brought back from the dead (Daredevil Vol 1 #190).

And that concludes this analysis of Marvel's Daredevil season 2.