Where Do We Go From Here? – Daredevil, Season 1

Our first regular feature here on the Marvelologist will be analysis of the potential paths that the Marvel Cinematic Universe could take. With the release of the hit new Netflix show Daredevil, we’re making that into Exhibit A.

Oh, yeah, spoiler alert.

Besides the obvious heroic trio (Daredevil/Murdock, Foggy, and Karen) and the villainous Kingpin of crime, Wilson Fisk, there aren’t many major characters left. Fisk’s inner circle has effectively been dissolved by deceit and death, and Ben Urich’s murder leaves a gap in the “mentoring member of the media” side of things. Here are a few folks who could be in for increased roles in the future.

Stick

He makes a lasting impression in just one episode; Stick’s appearance is likely the first hint of the “bigger universe” outside Hell’s Kitchen. If you think of the series as the Iron Man of Marvel’s Netflix plans, consider the ending scene with Stick and his mysterious partner (possibly Stone?) as the equivalent of Nick Fury showing up at Tony Stark’s house at the end of the first MCU film. There’s a war coming, and it’s not a gang war.

With Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist all joining together to form the MCU’s version of the Defenders, there has to be something big for them to defend against. With Fisk alluding to mysterious time in Asia, Nobu’s Hand garb (more on that later), and Stick’s warnings about Black Sky, we’re getting just warmed up. And how does Madame Gao play into all this? After all, her drugs all carry the dragon/serpent mark that belongs to villain Steel Serpent in the comic mythology.

In the comics, Iron Fist gains his powers by visiting the lost city of K’un-L’un. K’un-L’un has connections to many of Marvel’s martial artists, and is the location of an inter-dimensional gateway. Its not a stretch to think that the war that Stick speaks of will be something related to the beings from the other side of said gateway. We’ll be seeing more of Stick.

The Hand

The Hand are an ancient clan of ninja that have served as Fisk’s personal army at times in the comics. When Nobu appears to fight Daredevil in episode nine, he is dressed as a Hand ninja. Nobu appears to be the only one of the Kingpin’s “council” that Fisk fears.

Since Nobu, clearly a member of the Hand, is responsible for bringing Black Sky to New York, its likely he intended to use the living weapon to cut down his opposition. If Black Sky was indeed capable of bringing an alternate dimension to Earth, perhaps the Hand seeks to ally themselves with the sinister forces beyond the portal.

A quick sidenote is that Elektra, who may have already been referred to as Matt’s Greek ex-girlfriend, is a member of the Hand in the comics, and it will be interesting to see if she can be a force for good or evil in the MCU.

Melvin Potter

In the comics, Potter is a costume designer who takes up a life of crime as the Gladiator. His early uniform features arm-bound circular blades, much like the ones we see on the blueprints in Potter’s lab in the final Daredevil episode.

Its not a foregone conclusion that Potter will become his costumed alter ego in the MCU, as either a hero or villain. He may end up simply as the source of weaponry and gadgets for the Hell’s Kitchen heroes (and villains?). He’ll be one to keep an eye on, especially considering that Stilt-Man’s hydraulic stilts can also be seen in Potter’s workshop.

The likelihood of Stilt-Man actually appearing in the MCU probably isn’t very high, unless its in a passing way (i.e. some scalawag steals the stilts from Potter and uses them once, getting caught by DD in the process), considering there’s many that consider him a laughable character, but you never know with Marvel.

The Future

Daredevil officially got greenlit for season two today, with a hopeful airdate of late 2016. Marvel loves to keep us guessing, but the clues all point towards some amazingly awesome ninja/inter-dimensional war. And we haven’t even seen Bullseye yet!

Of course, it would also be great to see Daredevil cameo in MCU films, with Captain America: Civil War coming first to mind. If you haven’t watched the series, its highly recommended, and you’ll come across some Easter Eggs not mentioned here.

Do you have any theories about the future of the Man Without Fear? Share them here!