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Greetings Popversians, and welcome to Lore Corner! Each week, video producer Ashley V. Robinson and staff writer Grant DeArmitt are going to take you deep into the pre-existing lore behind some of pop culture's most exciting adaptations, such as Marvel's return to the streets of Hell's Kitchen in Daredevil: Born Again. Enjoy! 

Major spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again follow.

Matt Murdock wasn't the only beloved MCU lawyer returning to screens when Daredevil: Born Again premiered on March 4. Before you ask, no, we're not talking about Jennifer Walters, we're talking about Franklin Pierce 'Foggy' Nelson, the other half of NYC's former Nelson & Murdock law firm. 

In this edition of Lore Corner, we're going to be going over everything you need to know about Foggy Nelson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as as certain other Daredevil project, and even his connection to Kermit the Frog.

No, we're not kidding about that last part. Keep reading to learn more. 

Who is Foggy Nelson in the comics?

Created by Stan Lee & Bill Everett, Foggy Nelson first appeared in 1964's Daredevil #1. Ever since, the character has been a constant presence in Matt Murdock's life (more of an Alfred than a Robin), and for much of the character's history, his law partner. The wildness of comic history notwithstanding, it's typically true that Foggy knows that Matt is Daredevil, and this has brought him no shortage of grief across 60+ years of publication history. In one particular story, events occur so that Foggy knows Matt is Daredevil, leading to the lawyer urging Foggy to fake his own death. 

The MCU's Foggy has certainly followed in his comic book predecessor's footsteps in suffering for being close to the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Before we talk about Foggy as an MCU character, we need to talk about an MCU legend as Foggy.

Who plays Foggy Nelson in 2003's Daredevil?

You may know that, long before Daredevil made his MCU debut in 2015, another Daredevil project starring Ben Affleck as the titular vigilante smashed its way into theaters in 2003. However, what you might not remember is that this film featured a person who would not only become an MCU legend in his own right, but also be the first person to play Foggy Nelson in live action. That person, believe it or not, was Iron Man director and Happy Hogan himself, Jon Favreau.

Yes, long before Charlie Cox picked up the billy clubs and put on the horny mask (uh, wait), Jon Favreau was playing law partner to Ben Affleck's Matt Murdock. It's a pretty fun performance if you haven't already seen it, and Favreau brings a very Happy-esque sense of humor to the role. Make sure to check out the Director's Cut of the film if this is your first time watching the movie; in this writer's humble opinion, it's much better than what came to theaters.

Who plays Foggy Nelson in Daredevil: Born Again?

But of course, we're not here to talk about a Fox movie from 20+ years ago (although an Elektra line from Deadpool & Wolverine does technically make 2003's Daredevil canon to the MCU, multiversally speaking). We're here to talk about the Foggy that's coming to Disney+ in (as of this writing) just a few short hours. And the Foggy Nelson in Daredevil: Born Again is played by Elden Henson, who also played the character in Netflix's Daredevil.

You may remember Henson from his role in Killers of the Flower Moon or, if you're a '90s kid, The Mighty Ducks. But there's another reason his name rings a bell in the minds of so many online Daredevil fans; that is, he shares part of it with one of the most innovative entertainers in American history.

Is Elden Henson related to Jim Henson?

I know, it's a bit of a strange question, but the internet asks it more than you might believe. Sadly, our latest version of Foggy might disappoint in this regard, however, as Elden Henson bears no blood relation to Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. 

Bummer, right? I mean the Kermit/Foggy puns are right there. Kermit the Fog. Froggy Nelson. Sesame Street-Level. The fact that the pair aren't at least distantly related is a tragedy for Marvel-themed Trivia Team names everywhere.

What happens to Foggy Nelson in Daredevil on Netflix?

Similar to his comic book counterpart, Foggy has suffered much by being the best pal of the man behind Daredevil's mask, even to the point that the lawyers' friendship reaches a crisis. In season 2 of Netflixs Daredevil, Nelson & Murdock decide to take on the case of Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher, which proves to be their toughest case yet. And with Elektra and The Hand back in his life, Matt leaves Foggy almost entirely on his own. This causes a falling out between the pair, and during a fight, they decided to dissolve Nelson & Murdock.  

Do Foggy and Matt become friends again before Daredevil: Born Again?

Fortunately, Season 3 of Netflix's Daredevil saw the show's criminal defense compañeros joining forces once again to take on the recently-released Wilson Fisk, AKA Kingpin. To protect his family (not to mention New York City), Foggy links back up with not just his old pal Matt Murdock, but also their former defendant and now third wheel, Karen Page. By the end of the Netflix run, the pair are in business together again, adding Karen to form the law firm of Nelson, Murdock, & Page.

As we know, some time has passed since the end of Netflix's season 3 and the beginning of Daredevil: Born Again. However, as we saw as early as the first trailer, the Nelson/Murdock friendship has weathered those years. But how does it fare now that Daredevil: Born Again has kicked off?

Well, we'll tell you, but you're in for some serious spoilers.

What happens to Foggy Nelson in Daredevi: Born Again?

In the first few moments of Daredevil: Born Again, we catch up with Nelson, Murdock, & Page as they attend the retirement party of a friendly cop. During the festivities, we learn that Foggy is defending a client that's been receiving threats from unnamed sources, so Foggy has stashed him away in his own apartment. When Foggy receives a call from the defendant, claiming he is in danger, Matt suits up as Daredevil and heads to him. Unfortunately, the call was just a ruse.

In reality, the people in danger are at the retirement party, of which Foggy's defendant reveals the location to his pursuer. That pursuer is, to our heroes' dismay, Benjamin Poindexter, AKA Bullseye. Suited up and armed to the teeth, Bullseye attacks the party. And though Matt is able to respond in time to save Karen and confront the assassin, Foggy is shot.

As a raging Daredevil and gleeful Bullseye duke it out in the apartment above, Matt's superhearing picks up on Foggy's weak heartbeat, muddled with Karen's pleas to stay alive. The ambulances are already on their way, but Karen's tearful, bloodsoaked cries are of no use. In what's perhaps the most shocking intro for a Marvel project yet, Foggy Nelson dies before the opening credits roll.

The impact of Foggy's death simply can not be overstated on the characters of Karen Page and Matt Murdock, and by extension, the entire city of New York. Though we previously speculated that Daredevil would be hanging up the cowl this season because he took the life of a villain, the real reason is even darker.

His best friend was taken from him.

Daredevil: Born Again is streaming on on Disney+ now.

Fear not, we have the essentials when it comes to Marvel's Daredevil - especially with Marvel Studios' Daredevil: Born Again. Check out:

• The key difference between Netflix's Daredevil and Marvel Studios' Daredevil: Born Again, according to the showrunner
• The best Daredevil stories of all time
• What to watch before Daredevil: Born Again 
• Popverse Picks: Our favorite things for Marvel's Man Without Fear including Ann Nocenti comics, the Netflix series, and more
• How Vincent D'Onofrio reinvented Daredevil's Kingpin
• Marvel's Daredevil actors, ranked from Charlie Cox to Ben Affleck and even Rex Smith
• How Frank Miller accidentally killed a Daredevil cartoon (and Marvel killed a book to avoid pissing him off)
• That time we caught Daredevil actor Charlie Cox sneaking into New York Comic Con as Bluey