Why Netflix Should Adapt Charles Soule's Supreme Storyline for Daredevil Season 4

A graduate from Columbia Law School, comic book writer Charles Soule first began writing Daredevil back in 2015. Over the last two years, he's penned some of the best Daredevil stories since Frank Miller's unforgettable run, and instantly become a firm fan-favorite. Soule's background in law means that he doesn't just understand the superhero world, but he also holds a unique insight into Matt Murdock's world too, one that he's fleshed out to a degree we've never seen in the comics before.

To date, the stand-out arc in Soule's run is a four-issue story bearing the title "Supreme." It's a unique plot and could work brilliantly onscreen should it be adapted for a future Marvel Netflix show...

An Intriguing Core Concept

The story kick-starts with a tremendous scene, as a judge rails against the "stunt" of Daredevil himself being called as a witness — in costume, no less! It was a bold move on Murdock's part, gambling everything in the hope of changing the system. If an anonymous vigilante could legally testify in court without having to reveal his secret identity, then superheroes would be able to lay criminal charges against the madmen they'd neutralized. This would bring superheroes and vigilantes inside the criminal system, allowing them to present evidence before the court.

Needless to say, the Prosecution responded with an attempt to "compel the identity of the confidential informant." This was Murdock's greatest gamble, and he prepared a strong case for his associates to argue against the Prosecution. If the Judge had voted against Murdock's argument, precedent would be set and superheroes would forever remain outside the legal system.

It all sounds dry and technical, but the reality is that "Supreme" is anything but. Soule is a skilled writer, and he ensures the tension levels remain high throughout. Powerful vested interests know that Daredevil's testimony would change everything; the Kingpin himself hires an assassin to target Matt Murdock. Meanwhile, Kingpin funds one of the most expensive lawyers around, and takes this all the way to the Supreme Court. At one point, Murdock even deliberately throws the case in the Court of Appeal in order to get there!

Meanwhile, Soule's story also repeatedly asked Matt one simple question: Why does he do what he does? Murdock ultimately came to a simple conclusion.

"As Daredevil, I get to save the world. As a lawyer, I get to fix it. I need them both... The warrior and the lawyer."

It's pretty clear that Daredevil Season 3 will be partly inspired by Frank Miller's beloved "Born Again" arc. But where should the series go after that? "Supreme" would be a logical move. The overarching narrative resolves countless issues that Daredevil has been struggling with in the #Netflix series, and even revisits friendships that seemed to be forever broken. The writing dives into Daredevil's head in a way few other plots have achieved, exploring him both as a hero and as a man who wants to change the world. It's breathtakingly effective, and Soule's skilled writing brings action and intrigue into perfect balance.

Meanwhile, by the time Daredevil Season 4 airs, we'll be well over a decade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it's continuing to develop at a rate of knots. Marvel's Runaways will soon step out into the light as they take down their criminal parents, and next year we'll see Cloak and Dagger in action too. There are other shows in the works too, including a New Warriors show starring Milana Vayntrub's Squirrel Girl.

When Marvel Television launched Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., they hinted at a world reeling from the knowledge that superheroes exist. Years have passed since then though, and this strange new reality is now the established context for #Marvel movies and TV series. "Supreme" is the kind of arc that can explore this new status quo, grounding it in a unique way, while subtly transforming the nature of the #MCU. It's a must.

Meanwhile, Charles Soule is still writing Daredevil, and he has other plots on the boil. The #MarvelLegacy era is about to see Soule launch a whole new arc, "Mayor Fisk," in which Wilson Fisk works to become Mayor of New York. It's too soon to tell, but Soule is comparing this plot to "Supreme" in both complexity and concept, so it shows real promise. If we do indeed see "Supreme" adapted for Season 4 of #Daredevil, it could well act as the launchpad for a dramatic adaptation of this plot too.