Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Episode 3. The latest installment of Daredevil: Born Again, titled “The Hollow of His Hand”, showcases Matt Murdock ( Charlie Cox ) defending the innocent. However, after the death of his close friend Foggy Nelson ( Elden Henson ), Murdock has set aside his Daredevil persona and focuses his efforts in the courtroom. He finds himself in a challenging position while defending Hector Ayala ( Kamar de los Reyes ), the vigilante known as the White Tiger. Complicating matters further, two corrupt police officers are attempting to eliminate the only witness who can prove Ayala’s innocence. While “The Hollow of His Hand” may not be packed with Easter eggs like the premiere, it still offers notable references to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Trial of the White Tiger Had a Very Different Outcome in the ‘Daredevil’ Comics

Ayala’s trial closely mirrors events from Daredevil (vol. 2) #38-40 by Brian Michael Bendis, Manuel Gutierrez, and Terry Dodson. Both narratives depict Ayala’s arrest following the apparent murder of a police officer, leading Murdock to defend him. However, significant differences exist. In the comics, Murdock grapples with the consequences of his secret identity being revealed and initially declines the case when approached by Luke Cage and Iron Fist, citing the media frenzy it would ignite. Ultimately, he accepts the case, but Ayala is convicted and flees before being shot. In contrast, “The Hollow of His Hand” concludes with Ayala’s exoneration, yet he is shot shortly after donning the White Tiger suit.

The Corrupt Cops in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Are Twisting the Punisher’s Message

Notably, the individual who kills Hector sports a bulletproof vest emblazoned with a white skull — the iconic symbol of Frank Castle ( Jon Bernthal ), aka the Punisher. This isn’t the only appearance of the Punisher’s emblem; one of the corrupt officers who attacked Murdock in the previous episode, “Optics”, also has a Punisher tattoo. “The Hollow of His Hand” further reveals officers with Punisher tattoos on their necks, suggesting they intend to adopt Castle’s violent methods against those they perceive as guilty. This creates an intriguing opportunity for Castle to enter the narrative, as teasers indicate a confrontation between him and Murdock, which could even extend to the standalone special that Bernthal is co-writing and starring in. The willingness of Born Again to explore the misinterpretations of the Punisher’s violent approach is an exciting development.

‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Features Another Nod to Spider-Man – but It’s Not Peter Parker

During Ayala’s trial in “The Hollow of His Hand”, Murdock mentions a list of police officers saved by the White Tiger, including an “Officer Morales”, potentially referencing Jefferson Morales, the father of the beloved Spider-Man Miles Morales. In the comics, Jefferson is known to have served as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, but recent adaptations, including Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and Marvel’s Spider-Man for PlayStation 4, depict him as a police officer. This clever reference allows Born Again to navigate the challenge of not being able to feature Spider-Man directly on television, while still connecting to his universe.

There’s a Blink and You’ll Miss It Nod to ‘The Incredible Hulk’

“The Hollow of His Hand” includes a brief nod to another Marvel film; a bus stop displays an advertisement for Pingo Doce, a soda featured in The Incredible Hulk. In that film, Bruce Banner ( Edward Norton ) briefly worked at a Pingo Doce factory, where a drop of his gamma-infused blood contaminated a bottle, leading to his discovery by Thaddeus Ross. Although the Pingo Doce reference is subtle, it signifies Marvel Studios’ ongoing effort to incorporate elements from The Incredible Hulk.

New episodes of Daredevil: Born Again premiere Tuesdays on Disney+.

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