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Matt Murdock uncovers a villain’s hideous lair and meets one of the strangest Daredevil villains ever introduced in Marvel Comics. But who is Lionsmane?
Following a deadly encounter with Wrath and the departure of Wilson Fisk and Elektra, Daredevil dons his old costume in Daredevil #22. For the past few issues, Daredevil has been tormented by nightmares fueled by the guilt he feels over letting Bullseye die, and he’s kept himself busy investigating a case of simultaneous disappearances. After getting kidnapped and waking up in a fungus-covered building, Daredevil gets to meet the culprit face to face.
As soon as Matt Murdock finds the criminal who has assimilated dozens of victims into his disheveled abode and confronts him, the villain reveals he “used to have a big, important name,” but now calls himself ‘Lionsmane’.
Daredevil Meets His Grossest Villain Yet
Daredevil #22; Written by Saladin Ahmed; Art by José Luis Soares Pinto & Carlos Nieto, Jonas Trindade, Oren Junior, & Jesus Aburtov
To Daredevil’s surprise, Lionsmane is immune to his attacks, as the villain barely reacts to a baton blow to the head, which leaves a dent in his shapeless skull. Lionsmane is a particularly off/putting enemy due to his fungus/infested head, misshapen body, and piercing white eyes. According to Daredevil, Lionsmane’s lair overwhelms his senses, suggesting the whole place is putrid.
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Lionsmane derives his name from the real-life fungus Hericium Erinaceus, better known as lion’s mane. Lion’s mane is often used for culinary purposes, as well as in alternative medicine, and it looks nothing like Marvel’s Lionsmane. The real lion’s mane fungus looks like a white, hairy ball with long, soft filaments that resemble a white lion’s mane. The fungus on Lionsmane’s body resembles “shelf fungi” like Laetiporus a.k.a. chicken of the woods, interspersed with several kinds of mushrooms and clubs — few of which are actually as deadly as Lionsmane’s fungi appear to be. Of course, Lionsmane’s mold may be his deadliest and most subtle weapon.
Lionsmane Will Be A Unique Daredevil Antagonist
Lionsmane’s Fungus-Based Organism Makes Him A Difficult Enemy To Beat
Little is known about Lionsmane’s background and origin, but he seems like an incredibly powerful villain. Lionsmane appears to be invulnerable to melee attacks, able to command all types of fungi, and possibly deadly to the touch of regular humans. In Daredevil #21, Matt Murdock ran into Nitrus Novaro and Beautiful — two regular criminals who were transformed into fungus-covered henchmen to Lionsmane.
Hence, Lionsmane is also capable of assimilating human beings and possibly even mind-controlling them. How Daredevil could stop Lionsmane and revert his fungi’s effects on the villain’s surviving victims is yet to be seen.
Lionsmane’s Real Identity Might Be A Key Detail In Future Issues
There Might Be A Familiar Face Under Lionsmane’s Fungus
Daredevil has crossed paths with familiar faces lately, including Elektra, Bullseye, the Punisher, Wolverine, and Doctor Strange. At the same time, he has encountered paranormal entities and has been tormented by demonic forces in his nightmares. At this point, it wouldn’t be a surprise to Matt if Lionsmane fell under either category. Lionsmane’s fungal nature could be a result of a scientific experiment gone wrong (not a rare occurrence in Marvel’s New York) or a side effect of a new occult threat’s arrival.
Regardless, whatever gave Lionsmane his horrific appearance may have transformed one of Matt Murdock’s acquaintances or former enemies into his current enemy. The truth will be revealed once Daredevil #22 arrives on June 4, from Marvel Comics.
Daredevil
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