Daredevil – Back In Black Vol. 1: Chinatown
Matt Murdock returns to NYC, dons a darker suit, and faces off against Tenfingers while training a new protégé in this gritty Marvel arc.
🧬 Genre
Superhero, Crime Drama, Legal Thriller, Action
🦸♂️ Main Characters
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Matt Murdock / Daredevil – The blind lawyer-turned-vigilante returns with a black costume and a sharper edge, now working for the District Attorney.
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Blindspot (Samuel Chung) – A young Chinese immigrant and aspiring hero, mentored by Daredevil.
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Tenfingers – A mysterious and unsettling crime boss with supernatural ties, leading a cult-like gang in Chinatown.
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Foggy Nelson – Matt’s longtime friend and legal partner, still grappling with Matt’s life choices.
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The Hand – The infamous ninja clan resurfaces as a major threat lurking behind the shadows of Chinatown.
✍️ Writer
Charles Soule – A real-life attorney, Soule brings sharp authenticity to courtroom scenes and crafts a unique dual life for Daredevil.
🎨 Artist
Ron Garney – Known for his gritty and cinematic style, Garney’s moody visuals perfectly complement the noir tone of the story.
🧑💼 Editor Details
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Editor-in-Chief: Axel Alonso
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Assistant Editor: Devin Lewis
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Their guidance ensures a balance between new character development and classic Daredevil storytelling.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
Marvel Comics – All-New, All-Different Marvel (2015 relaunch)
This run marked a fresh creative direction post-Secret Wars, redefining many Marvel characters, including Daredevil.
📅 Release Year
2015–2016
This volume collects Daredevil (2015) #1–5 and the All-New, All-Different Point One #1 Daredevil story.
📖 Brief Plot Summary
Back in New York with a new look and an altered secret identity, Matt Murdock takes a bold new step: working as a prosecutor for the District Attorney’s office. But justice isn’t just served in the courtroom. In the alleys of Chinatown, a new crime syndicate led by a bizarre villain called Tenfingers begins terrorizing the city. Daredevil, now clad in a stealthy black costume, investigates the strange cult and their supernatural roots. Alongside him is Blindspot, a self-trained acrobat with a suit of invisibility and a dream of becoming a hero. As the duo digs deeper, the sinister Hand lurks behind the scenes, threatening to pull them both into a war they may not survive.
🌀 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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The Rise of Tenfingers – A fresh villain with grotesque hands and messianic ambitions challenges Daredevil in unexpected ways.
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Blindspot’s Origin – Samuel Chung’s background as an undocumented immigrant adds real-world weight to his journey as a sidekick.
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Matt’s Moral Crossroads – By working for the DA, Matt explores new ethical dilemmas, balancing law and vigilantism like never before.
🧠 Fan Theories or Interpretations
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Some fans speculate that Tenfingers is a metaphor for religious cults and the false prophets they follow, with his extra fingers symbolizing greed and spiritual corruption.
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Others believe Blindspot was introduced as a modern parallel to Robin — a grounded, diverse protégé offering a new lens through which to view Daredevil's world.
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Matt's darker costume and secretiveness sparked theories that he's emotionally regressing after past losses, choosing fear as a weapon more than justice.
⭐ Review Summary
"Back in Black: Chinatown" delivers a gripping blend of legal drama and gritty street-level action. Charles Soule’s experience as a lawyer breathes life into courtroom scenes, while Ron Garney’s art drenches every page in noir shadows and kinetic energy. Daredevil’s shift to a more tactical, brutal persona adds weight to his battles, both in and out of costume. Blindspot is a standout addition, bringing a refreshing perspective to the series. Fans of Daredevil's darker eras will find this volume both stylish and substantial.
👍 Rating: 8.5/10
🎨 Art: Moody, bold line work, shadow-heavy aesthetic
🧑⚖️ Story: Tense, ethically complex, tightly written
🧍 Character Depth: Strong arc for both Matt and Samuel
Collected Edition:
Daredevil – Back in Black Vol. 1: Chinatown
Collects Daredevil (2015) #1–5, All-Different Point One (Daredevil story)
🗓️ Available in trade paperback and digital formats
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
