How Is the Swordsman Connected to Daredevil in Marvel Comics?

Editor’s Observe: The next comprises spoilers for Daredevil: Born Once more Episode 8.Tony Dalton bought his declare to fame enjoying Lalo, Better Call Saul’s loveable villain who steals the present. Since then, we haven’t seen a lot of him on our screens, however he was a welcome addition to the solid of Hawkeye again in 2021. Dalton performs Jack Duquesne, Kate Bishop’s (Hailee Steinfeld) suspicious stepfather with a mysterious background. He’s later revealed to be The Swordsman, a minor villain from Marvel Comics. We didn’t hear any phrase about Dalton’s return to the MCU till lately, when he stunned us by turning up in Daredevil: Born Again. Although The Swordsman doesn’t have an intensive historical past with Daredevil, his comedian background is extra difficult than you would possibly count on. The MCU’s recent string of cameos and Easter eggs have been just a little on the nostril, if not pressured. Nevertheless, The Swordsman’s inclusion in Daredevil: Born Once more has been a refreshing shock, and he’s a terrific match for the tone and setting of the present.

Who Is the Swordsman in Marvel Comics?

Jack Duquesne (Tony Dalton) initially appeared in a minor position throughout Episode 6, and The Swordsman additionally briefly made an look in some video footage. Daredevil: Born Once more has proven a willingness to pepper its episodes with cameos, like with the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Yusuf Khan (Mohan Kapoor), so we initially thought Duquesne was simply one other cameo, however Episode 8 adopted him changing into a key participant within the combat towards Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio). Wilson Fisk has been buddying up with New York’s elite in an effort to garner extra funding for his authorities tasks, however after Duquesne’s preliminary rejection, Fisk turned to blackmail.

We don’t know a lot about The Swordsman from the MCU, however his comedian backstory paints a vivid image. Jack Duquesne was initially launched again in Avengers #19 as a villain. Duquesne fought towards the Avengers, however his backstory was fleshed out by means of Hawkeye, who reveals The Swordsman to be his mentor. Duquesne was a performer for a touring circus who carried out exhibits centered round swordplay, knife throwing, and archery. Clint Barton first met him whereas attending one among his exhibits, and after Duquesne found Clint was the sufferer of his abusive foster household, he took him beneath his wing, and Clint ran off with the touring circus. Duquesne taught Clint to become an archer, however as time went on, their paths began to diverge. Duquesne noticed himself as a Robin Hood determine, fortunately stealing from anybody he may, which went towards Clint’s rules, they usually ultimately parted methods.

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Wait, Why Did Matt Take That Bullet for Kingpin in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’?

Type of looks like a misplaced alternative there, Matt.

‘Daredevil: Born Once more’ Is the Good Place To Reintroduce Jack Duquesne

Whereas The Swordsman began as a villain within the comics, he ultimately undergoes a redemption arc and turns into a hero. Hawkeye did a great job adapting Duquesne in a approach that acknowledged the comics however adjusted to the change in circumstances. Kate initially suspects Jack is a felony, although it’s later revealed that he’s a vigilante, which is a nod to his redemption arc within the comics. And whereas The Swordsman didn’t mentor Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) within the MCU, he took on a mentor position for Kate, the second Hawkeye, as her step-father.

The Swordsman is much like Batman, in that he’s a rich businessman who makes use of his assets to combat crime within the day, in addition to his efforts as a vigilante. On condition that Kingpin is depending on New York’s wealthiest to finance his mayoral endeavors, Daredevil: Born Once more is a superb place to re-introduce Jack. Whereas The Swordsman shares no comedian historical past with both Daredevil or Kingpin, he’s an ideal match for the present as a result of he’s virtually like a mid-point between the 2 characters. He’s a self-made millionaire who works exterior the regulation to attain his goals, like Kingpin, however he’s additionally a vigilante who fights for the rights of on a regular basis New Yorkers, like Matt Murdock. By the end of Episode 8, his goals align with Daredevil, and his day-to-day life would inevitably result in run-ins with Wilson Fisk. Whereas the MCU has been criticized for cramming unnecessary cameos into earlier tasks, the writers made a sensible, calculated transfer by recognizing Born Once more as a superb match for The Swordsman. Duquesne may change into a useful ally to Daredevil, on condition that Matt Murdock lacks the identical wealth and assets as his nemesis.

After we final noticed Jack, he was falling into Kingpin’s internet of extortion. Wilson Fisk has a brand new coverage towards Vigilante and threatens to reveal Duquesne’s identification if he fails to fall in line. In fact, Matt Murdock overheard their dialog, and their paths will undoubtedly cross earlier than the top of the season. Though Matt might be a little preoccupied with the bullet in his chest for the foreseeable future. For individuals who need to see extra of Tony Dalton as The Swordsman, take a look at Hawkeye on Disney+.

All Daredevil: Born Once more episodes are streaming on Disney+ within the U.S.