Episodes 5 and 6 of Daredevil: Born Again feature the return of Swordsman, marking his comeback four years after first appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Episode 4 had already introduced the villain Muse, brought back the Punisher, and set the stage for Matt Murdock’s return as Daredevil. Now, the next two episodes continue building momentum with new challenges for both Daredevil and Wilson Fisk.
These episodes introduce a guest appearance by Yusuf Khan, pit Daredevil against Muse in a dangerous confrontation, and show Wilson Fisk preparing for a battle against New York’s vigilantes. However, neither Daredevil nor Fisk have an easy road ahead, as they both face serious obstacles along the way.
Also Read: ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Episode 4 Recap: Episode 4 Delivers Shocking Twists and Unexpected Humor
Wilson Fisk’s Internal Struggle
Wilson Fisk is trying to move away from his criminal past, but the situation is not in his favor. A threat from Luca is putting pressure on him, and Fisk is visibly frustrated. The only way he can release his anger is by targeting Adam, a former lover of his wife, Vanessa.
Fisk’s transformation back into his Kingpin persona is happening rapidly, but he must control his violent side to protect his public image. He cannot afford to be reckless, as he is now the Mayor of New York and needs to continue influencing both political figures and criminal allies from behind the scenes.
Although Fisk has many powerful connections, not everyone is willing to let him act freely. Among those standing in his way is a well-known figure from the comic books—one who has played both the role of a villain and a hero.
Who Is Swordsman?
Swordsman, also known as Jack Duquesne, first appeared in The Avengers #19 in August 1965. Initially, he was introduced as a villain, but his backstory reveals a much more complex character. Jack Duquesne became an expert swordsman after witnessing his father’s death.
He used his skills to fight for his home country’s freedom before later joining a carnival, where he trained a young Clint Barton. However, Clint distanced himself from Jack after discovering that he had been involved in theft.
Over the years, Swordsman took on different roles. He tried to join the Avengers but was secretly working for Iron Man’s enemy, the Mandarin. However, he eventually turned against the Mandarin and earned the Avengers’ trust, securing a place on the team.
In the MCU, actor Tony Dalton plays Jack Duquesne. So far, he has only appeared in his civilian identity, first in Hawkeye and now in Daredevil: Born Again episode 6. Fans have been waiting to see if he would fully embrace his comic book persona, and his latest appearance may hint at more to come.
Swordsman’s Role in the MCU
Jack Duquesne’s MCU character is quite different from his comic book version. In Hawkeye, Kate Bishop initially suspected Jack of being involved in the Tracksuit Mafia’s criminal activities.
However, it was later revealed that her mother, Eleanor Bishop, had been using Jack as a scapegoat. By the season finale, Kate put her suspicions aside and teamed up with Jack to defeat the Tracksuit Mafia and expose Eleanor’s crimes.
Until Daredevil: Born Again episode 6, Jack had only been seen in civilian clothing. But in this episode, he finally appears in an outfit that resembles a superhero costume. This small change suggests that he is now stepping into the role of a vigilante.
Unlike his comic book counterpart, the MCU version of Jack Duquesne does not seem interested in criminal activities. Instead, he enjoys a life of luxury, using his family’s wealth to collect rare and expensive swords. Although he is highly skilled with a sword, there is no mention of him having worked in a circus or being involved in any political conflicts.
The Closest MCU Hero to Iron Man
In Daredevil: Born Again, the focus is on street-level vigilantes. Each hero has their own way of dealing with crime. Daredevil fights criminals through legal action and non-lethal combat, while the Punisher takes a much more brutal approach, using deadly weapons. Other heroes, like White Tiger and Spider-Man, also play roles in keeping New York safe.
Jack Duquesne is now revealed to be part of this group of vigilantes. However, unlike the others, he does not come from a background of tragedy or hardship. Instead, he fights crime almost as a hobby, using his wealth to support his activities.
His return in Daredevil: Born Again does not provide a full explanation of his motivations, but it does reveal something interesting about his views on Wilson Fisk. While Jack’s appearance as Swordsman is brief, his civilian role in the story is more developed. He openly expresses his opposition to Fisk’s leadership as mayor.
Jack Duquesne’s financial status makes him different from the other street-level heroes, drawing comparisons to Iron Man. However, unlike Tony Stark, who revealed his identity to the world, Jack must remain cautious. It would be dangerous for him to expose himself as a vigilante, especially when going up against someone as powerful as Wilson Fisk.
What’s Next for Swordsman?
Swordsman’s return in Daredevil: Born Again raises many questions. Will he continue to play a bigger role in future episodes? Will he fully embrace his comic book persona and become an Avenger? Or will he simply remain a mysterious figure in the background?
One thing is clear—Jack Duquesne is not just a wealthy collector of rare swords. His decision to step into the fight against Fisk suggests that he may have a bigger role to play in the MCU’s future.
Fans of the character will be eager to see where the story takes him next. With Daredevil: Born Again introducing so many new elements, it is possible that Swordsman will eventually have to choose whether he wants to be a full-time hero or remain a part-time vigilante.
For now, his return adds another exciting layer to the ever-growing conflict between New York’s heroes and villains.
