Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born Again episode 3Daredevil: Born Againepisode 3 teases a future replacement for White Tiger in the MCU, alongside a fun collection of more exciting Easter eggs and MCU references. Continuing a new status quo for New York with the election of Mayor Wilson Fisk, rising tensions between the police and vigilantes are continuing to grow inDaredevil: Born Again. To that end, the new episode features some great references to Murdock’s past, the original comics, and the greater MCU.
In episodes ofDaredevil: Born Againthus far, Matt Murdock is determined to no longer be Daredevil, following the tragedy of Foggy Nelson’s murder and Murdock nearly killing Bullseye in response. However, Murdock still believes he can help in other ways, primarily as a lawyer, and this currently involves defending Hector Ayala aka White Tiger who is accused of murdering a cop.To that end, here are all the biggest Easter eggs and MCU references we found inDaredevil: Born Again.
A Key Parallel Between Fisk and Murdock
Currently, both Matt Murdock and Mayor Fisk have bloody, cut-up knuckles, a key parallel suggesting that a violent reckoning is coming for both men who are struggling to resist their more violent natures. However, it’s still unknown why Fisk’s knuckles are bloody, nor who or what has been suffering his anger and rage.
12Punisher Graffiti
A Muse Original
When Cherry comes to take Nicky Torres to court to serve as Murdock and Kirsten’s star witness in the Ayala trial,graffiti of Punisher’s skull logo can be seen on a nearby wall with the word “Triggered”.This was done by the supervillain artist known as Muse, who in the comics started creating art inspired by vigilantes such as Punisher, Daredevil, and more. Muse’s signature can be seen below the work of art, and the red around the skull is quite concerning considering Muse’s known use of his victim’s blood in his work.
A Classic Boxing Saying
Image via Disney+
When asking Officer Powell about his black eye, he shares that"a cure for a black eye is fast hands", an old boxing phrase he likely heard from his father Jack Murdock, who was a professional boxer before he was murdered when Matt was still a child.
10Pingo Doce
A Classic MCU Soda
A bus stop ad can be briefly seen for Pingo Doce, the soda made with guarana first seen in 2008’sIncredible Hulk.This was the same soda that got contaminated with Bruce Banner’s blood that Stan Lee drank during his cameo.Pingo Doce is also a drink available at Disney Parks' Avengers Campus.
9Hector’s Sister and Niece
Ava Ayala and Angela Del Toro
During the trial, it’s confirmed that Hector Ayala and his wife had been living with his sister and niece. In the comics, Hector’s niece Angela Del Toro was the second White Tiger who inherited the amulet from Hector after he died. Likewise,Hector’s sister Ava Ayala was the third White Tiger in the original comicswho inherited the amulet from Angela after she was corrupted by the ninja clan known as The Hand. That said, it’s unknown if this niece is indeed Hector and Ava’s niece Angela, or perhaps Ava’s daughter.
Shocking Hector, the judge, DA Hochberg, Kirsten McDuffie, and the entire courtroom, Matt Murdock reveals Hector’s identity as White Tiger by showing the court his mask, giving viewers their first real look at the mask in the MCU. Although it was necessary to win the case, Murdock exposing a fellow vigilante is certainly a violation of trust, especially from one vigilante to another.
7Officer Morales
TheOfficer Morales?
One of the officers' reports in favor of White Tiger comes from one Officer Morales. Despite being a common last name, it’s worth noting that Miles Morales' father is a cop in his alternate universe,and there is a version of Aaron Davis and Miles Morales in the MCU, as confirmed by 2017’sSpider-Man: Homecoming. Likewise, Jefferson legally changed his name to Morales in recent comics.
A Classic Superhero Sentiment
During Matt’s arguments speaking to Hector’s character, he makes sure that the jury understands that"the mask doesn’t make the man". This is a classic sentiment that’s not unlike the lessons Spider-Man learns inHomecoming, as well as the phrase “Anyone can wear the mask” in theSpider-Versemovies. The mask is not what matters. It’s about the person underneath and the good they choose to represent regardless of what they’re wearing.
5A Bottle of O’Melveny’s
A Nelson and Murdock Tradition
Following the court victory, Matt shares a bottle of O’Melveny’s with Heather, a tradition he once had with Foggy whenever they’d win a case.
Mayor Fisk Alludes To His Past Convictions
This comment from Fisk speaks to his own legal troubles and criminal history, suggesting that he was able to avoid prolonged jail time via appeals in theaftermath ofDaredevilseason 3when he was defeated by Matt Murdock. It’s also been theorized that Fisk took advantage of the chaos created by the Blip to secure his freedom.
