Marvel fans were in for a surprise with the finale of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 1. The season’s intense and brutally gory conclusion not only wrapped up the slow-burning revival of Matt Murdock’s gritty story but also teased an unexpectedly fascinating duo.
This unexpected duo may soon dominate the MCU’s street-level vigilante scene. In a move few could have predicted, ‘Born Again’ quietly set up a possible team-up between Jon Bernthal’s brutal anti-hero, The Punisher, and Tony Dalton’s swordsman, Jack Duquesne.
Frank Castle And Jack Duquesne Seem To Share Similar Paths In ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
While this partnership might not have been predictable, it’s a strange yet oddly fitting match that could elevate Marvel’s upcoming Punisher Special Presentation. With a shared enemy in Wilson Fisk and a front-row seat to New York’s crumbling civil order, the stage is set for a dark, grounded narrative. ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ episode 9, “Straight to Hell,” left fans on the edge of their seats.
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As Mayor Wilson Fisk launched his authoritarian “Safer Streets” campaign, vigilantes across New York were suddenly public enemy number one. However, none have been hit harder than Frank Castle, who spent much of the finale chained inside Kingpin’s Red Hook prison facility. Despite the constraints, both literal and metaphorical, Castle proved that he hadn’t lost a step. But here’s the twist that got fans talking: Castle wasn’t alone in that prison.
Among the other prisoners, we saw the unexpected return of Jack Duquesne, the Swordsman from Hawkeye. Initially portrayed as a red herring and wealthy eccentric, Jack revealed a more heroic side by the end of the Hawkeye series. In ‘Born Again’, his quiet inclusion as one of Fisk’s detainees hints that he’s evolved into a full-fledged vigilante. That sets the stage for a strange alliance between Castle’s brutal justice and Duquesne’s stylish swordplay.
The Punisher And Swordsman’s Partnership Could Be A Much-Needed Evolution For Both Characters
Bringing The Punisher and Swordsman together could do more than continue the narrative threads of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’. Frank Castle, already beloved thanks to Bernthal’s intense and emotionally complex performance, has nothing left to prove. But there’s still room for evolution. Having him team up with someone less jaded could push Castle into new emotional territory. Perhaps Swordsman’s eccentric optimism might rub off on him.
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On the other hand, Jack Duquesne is a character who barely scratched the surface of his potential in ‘Hawkeye’. Tony Dalton brought charisma and intrigue to the role, but Jack never truly stepped into the spotlight. So, ‘Born Again’ and the potential Punisher crossover can give him the perfect platform to show what he’s capable of. With no ‘Hawkeye’ season 2 in sight, this could be the chance for Jack to break out as a serious player in the MCU’s street-level ensemble.
Moreover, teaming these two up would deepen the grounded, gritty corner of the Marvel Universe that ‘Born Again’ is helping to rebuild. As the Avengers operate on a universal level, audiences are increasingly hungry for more down-to-earth stories. The Punisher and Swordsman could provide exactly that, fighting corruption, surviving betrayal, and challenging the unchecked power of Kingpin’s political reign. It’s a strangely perfect fit!
