Warning: Contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again season 2, episode 7!The end of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 is nearly here, and the vigilante war between Daredevil and Kingpin has now manifested a small Spider-Man reference. Due to the complicated nature of Spider-Man’s TV rights, he’s so far only been able to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe through Sony Pictures’ deals with Marvel Studios to co-produce solo films and include him in larger crossover events.
But the New York setting of Daredevil: Born Again has kept the web-slinger’s whereabouts as a recurring discussion point. Mayor Wilson Fisk’s anti-vigilante agenda would include the Marvel icon as a target, which is why Born Again season 1 had Kingpin reference Spider-Man. It was the first true connection to the wall-crawler on this side of the MCU.
Audiences have seen Tom Holland’s Peter Parker interact with Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and there is hope that more will come. There is plenty of speculation that they’ll reunite in some fashion in Spider-Man: Brand New Day later this year, but it would also feel strange for Peter to remain on the sidelines as Daredevil and Kingpin battle for New York’s soul.
Now, there is at least a tease of his presence in this story thanks to Daredevil: Born Again season 2, episode 7. A simple shot of the New York City Hall after the Mayor Fisk protest from episode 6 shows police tape on the pillars. And right above it, “Spider” is written in white on a black strap, seemingly becoming the show’s latest Spider-Man reference.
Was Daredevil: Born Again Season 2’s Spider-Man Reference Intentional?
Spider-Man reference in Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 7
Given the unusual nature of this Spidey-related Easter egg, the intentionality behind it is worth questioning. The black strap that it is written on is not a unique production design choice by the Daredevil: Born Again team. They are fastened onto the Brooklyn Borough Hall, which is the real-life location the series uses to film scenes at New York City Hall.
One could wonder if “Spider” is written on one of the straps in real life. It’s impossible to verify that without visiting the Brooklyn Borough Hall. But considering how Marvel’s team had to decorate the entire set for the protest scene and fashion the police tape to the pillars for this episode 7 shot, there’s no way they would have never noticed the writing if it existed previously.
Fans across social media have noticed and brought more attention to the moment. It would have been easy for Marvel to digitally remove the “Spider” writing if it was not intentional and erase any chance of viewers interpreting this shot incorrectly. Since they elected not to do that, it becomes much more believable that this was a subtle reference to Spider-Man.
After all, it was only a few weeks ago that it seemed far-fetched that Marvel intentionally included The Watcher in Daredevil: Born Again season 2, only for them to confirm the theory as legitimate. If they are willing to do an unconventional reference like that, “Spider” makes more sense as a connection to Spider-Man than an unintended spark for speculation about what will come of it.
Daredevil: Born Again’s Spider-Man References Must Lead To A Bigger Crossover
Spider-Man and the Punisher in Brand New Day
If we count season 2, episode 7’s reference, this is now the second time Daredevil: Born Again has connected to Spider-Man without him appearing. This one could be seen as Spider-Man leaving his mark on the protest or as a civilian starting to write his name before being interrupted by the Anti-Vigilante Task Force.
It’s great that Daredevil: Born Again can include these Spider-Man references after the original Daredevil show could not. But this can’t be all there is. Marvel Studios will eventually need to pay off these teases with a proper crossover that gives Daredevil and Spider-Man a chance to team up against Kingpin.
Hell’s Kitchen · Street-Level Edition How Well Do You Know Daredevil?
♻OriginsBlinded
☠VillainsKingpin
⚖AlliesJustice
⚔CombatNo killing
🎥TV SeriesNetflix
01
Matt Murdock was blinded as a child by radioactive material that fell from a truck. While he lost his sight, the accident gave him something extraordinary in return. What did the radioactive exposure give Matt?
✓ Correct! The radioactive chemicals that blinded young Matt Murdock simultaneously supercharged his remaining senses to extraordinary levels and gave him a radar-like spatial awareness. He can “see” the world around him through sound, smell, touch, and taste with superhuman precision — making him one of Marvel’s most unique heroes.
✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is superhuman radar-like senses. The radioactive accident didn’t give Matt strength, telepathy, or X-ray vision — it heightened all his remaining senses to superhuman levels and granted him a radar sense that lets him perceive the world around him in 360 degrees.
02
Daredevil’s greatest enemy is a massive, calculating crime lord who controls most of the criminal underworld in New York City. This villain is known by his real name and his title. Who is he?
✓ Correct! Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, is Daredevil’s most iconic adversary. Despite having no superpowers, Fisk’s immense physical strength, ruthless intelligence, and iron grip on New York’s criminal underworld make him one of Marvel’s most terrifying villains. Their battle is deeply personal — both men believe they’re saving Hell’s Kitchen.
✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is Wilson Fisk / The Kingpin. Bullseye is a deadly assassin, The Hand is a ninja organization, and The Owl is a lesser crime lord. But the Kingpin is the definitive Daredevil villain — the immovable force that controls New York’s underworld from the shadows.
03
By day, Matt Murdock fights for justice in a courtroom as a lawyer. He co-founded a law firm with his best friend in Hell’s Kitchen. Who is Matt’s law partner and best friend?
✓ Correct! Franklin “Foggy” Nelson has been Matt Murdock’s best friend and law partner since they met at Columbia Law School. Together they founded Nelson & Murdock, a small firm dedicated to defending the people of Hell’s Kitchen. Foggy is the heart and conscience of the partnership — often the one pulling Matt back from the edge.
✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is Franklin “Foggy” Nelson. Ben Urich is a journalist at the Daily Bugle, Danny Rand is Iron Fist, and Luke Cage is a Harlem-based hero. Foggy Nelson is Matt’s irreplaceable best friend, law partner, and moral anchor.
04
The Netflix Daredevil series (2015–2018) was praised for its dark tone and incredible fight choreography. Which actor portrayed Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the Netflix series and later in the MCU’s Daredevil: Born Again?
✓ Correct! Charlie Cox brought Matt Murdock to life with a nuanced, critically acclaimed performance across three seasons of Netflix’s Daredevil. His portrayal was so beloved that Marvel Studios brought him back for the MCU, appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home and starring in Daredevil: Born Again.
✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is Charlie Cox. Ben Affleck played Daredevil in the 2003 film, Oscar Isaac is Moon Knight, and Jon Bernthal plays the Punisher (who appeared in Daredevil Season 2). Charlie Cox is the definitive live-action Man Without Fear.
05
Bullseye is one of Daredevil’s deadliest foes, a psychopathic assassin with an extraordinary ability. What is Bullseye’s signature power?
✓ Correct! Bullseye possesses an innate ability to turn virtually any object into a lethal projectile with perfect accuracy. From playing cards to paper clips, anything in his hands becomes a deadly weapon. He’s responsible for some of the darkest moments in Daredevil’s history, including the murder of Elektra.
✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is perfect accuracy — he never misses a target. Bullseye doesn’t have super speed, invisibility, or mind control. His terrifying gift is unerring aim — he can kill with a toothpick, a playing card, or anything he can throw.
06
Elektra Natchios is a complex character in Daredevil’s life — sometimes lover, sometimes enemy. She is a deadly assassin trained by a mysterious ninja organization. What is the name of this organization?
✓ Correct! The Hand is a secretive ninja organization that plays a major role in Daredevil’s mythology. Founded centuries ago, they deal in assassination, mysticism, and resurrection. Elektra was trained by The Hand and has been both their weapon and their enemy — her complicated ties to the organization mirror her complicated relationship with Matt.
✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is The Hand. The League of Shadows is from DC’s Batman universe, HYDRA is the broader Marvel villain organization, and The Foot Clan is from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (actually inspired by The Hand). The Hand is the ancient ninja order central to Daredevil’s world.
07
Frank Castle, the Punisher, has a complicated relationship with Daredevil. They share a mission to fight crime but disagree fundamentally on methods. What is the core philosophical difference between Daredevil and the Punisher?
✓ Correct! This is the defining tension between Daredevil and the Punisher. Matt Murdock, a devout Catholic and lawyer, believes in the justice system and refuses to cross the line into killing. Frank Castle believes the system is broken and that lethal force is the only way to permanently stop criminals. Their rooftop debate in Season 2 of the Netflix series is one of the greatest scenes in superhero television.
✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is that Daredevil refuses to kill while the Punisher kills criminals. It’s actually the Punisher who uses weapons (guns, explosives), and neither works with police. Daredevil fights at all hours. The real divide is moral: Matt believes in redemption and the law, while Frank believes in permanent, lethal justice.
08
In the Daredevil Netflix series, Vincent D’Onofrio’s portrayal of Wilson Fisk was widely acclaimed. In Season 3, Fisk manipulated a specific FBI agent to become the new Bullseye. What is this character’s name?
✓ Correct! Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter, played brilliantly by Wilson Bethel, was an FBI agent with a troubled past and an innate ability for perfect marksmanship. Fisk recognized his psychological vulnerabilities and manipulated him into donning a Daredevil suit to frame Matt Murdock, setting up Dex’s transformation into the classic villain Bullseye.
✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is Benjamin Poindexter (Dex). Ray Nadeem was another FBI agent manipulated by Fisk but in a different way, Brett Mahoney is an NYPD sergeant allied with Daredevil, and Mitchell Ellison is the editor of the New York Bulletin. Dex is the one Fisk groomed to become Bullseye.
Case Closed Your Hell’s Kitchen Verdict
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Are you the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen — or just a blind spot?
That’s unlikely to happen in Holland’s next solo film, even with Brand New Day‘s major Born Again connections. Marvel could try to talk Sony into a temporary deal to let Spider-Man appear in Born Again season 3, but that might be a tough sell.
Instead, it may require Marvel Studios to make a Daredevil movie with Spider-Man as a supporting character. Another path would be continuing the street-level approach of Brand New Day into Spider-Man 5 and making Kingpin the villain of that feature, with Daredevil and others teaming up with Spider-Man to save New York.
Don’t count on Spider-Man appearing in Daredevil: Born Again season 2’s finale after this reference. But hopefully Marvel will deliver the Spider-Man/Daredevil team-up against Kingpin everyone has been asking about for years before too long.
