Born Again Episode 3 Is A Direct Adaptation Of A Classic Marvel Comic

In “Trial of the Century,” Matt represents Hector with his longtime partner Foggy Nelson. That’s not possible after the shocking premiere of “Born Again,” so Matt’s partner is instead Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James).

Then there’s the prosecutor. In “Born Again,” it’s District Attorney Benjamin Hochberg (John Benjamin Hickey). He’s ruthless enough, and nicknamed “the Hawk,” but he doesn’t have an agenda beyond winning his case in the way any lawyer wants to. In “Trial of the Century,” the prosecutor was named Paul Delacourt, and he made Hawk look like a sparrow.

Delacourt was out to convict Hector so as to delegitimize vigilantes and superheroes; the trial was about sending a message (and boosting Delacourt’s political career). In case there’s any doubt you aren’t supposed to like Delacourt, Gutierrez draws him like an ogre, complete with soulless shades for eyes. He ends up looking like the monstrous mob boss Herr Wallenquist from “Sin City.”

And therein lies another major change. Hector Ayala’s trial is incendiary in both versions, but in the comic, he was arrested as White Tiger. Two young drug addicts robbed an electronics store and a cop responded. Then, White Tiger arrived and tried to help. Instead, the cop was shot and the crooks’ stolen TV landed in White Tiger’s hands, making him look guilty when more police officers arrived.

Adjusting Hector’s crime, and emphasizing more how the NYPD wants blood for blood, is part of a broader point in “Daredevil: Born Again.” Cops are bullies with too many guns and far too little regulation, terrified of and violent against the people that their motto claims they protect and serve. That’s why so many cops, in both the real world and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, love the Punisher. They see themselves as Frank Castle, i.e. a “badass” who doesn’t listen to the law and violently kills the “trash” who deserves it.

“Trial of the Century” also comes right off of “Out” when Matt’s identity was leaked by the FBI and ran on the front page of the Daily Globe. Matt, the self-flagellating martyr that he is, decides Hector’s case was doomed by him coming on board; it looked like the superheroes closing ranks to defend each other. Sad thing is, Matt’s Catholic guilt has some weight this time.

Marvel Comics

Then, the final change to the trial: Hector is found guilty in the comic, which leads to him bursting from the courtroom and choosing to die by suicide at the hands of a cop. “Born Again” sets him free yet gives him even less agency than the comic did. The show is definitely making a point by having the police unjustly target and harm an innocent Latino man, yet saying that Hector was doomed either way means this “Born Again” episode ends on a dispiriting note. Then again, maybe it’s a note that some still needed to hear.

“Daredevil: Born Again” is streaming on Disney+.