Daredevil: Born Again Secretly Introduces Future Captain America in Season 2 Episode 6

This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 6.

Early in episode six of Daredevil: Born Again’s second season, a seemingly dire moment unfolds when a vehicle filled with armed thugs arrives at a suburban home. A grenade is thrown through a window—only to be picked up by a young girl dressed in a fairy princess costume. The camera lingers on her as she plays with the explosive device while unseen forces outside strike down the attackers. Once the chaos subsides, the source of the defense is revealed: the girl’s mother, Jessica Jones (played by Krysten Ritter).

Had viewers known this was Jessica Jones’ home, there would have been no cause for concern—not just because she is the daughter of Jessica Jones, but because the little girl is Dani Cage, who will one day become Captain America.

Dani Cage’s Heroic Legacy in Marvel Comics

One of the most telling moments comes from the final page of 2006’s The Pulse #13, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Michael Gaydos. The issue features the front page of the Daily Globe, with a headline declaring, “Avengers Baby Born.” While J. Jonah Jameson’s Daily Bugle headlines Spider-Man as a menace, the Daily Globe’s headline is far more significant. The baby in question is Danielle Cage, daughter of Luke Cage (then leader of the Avengers) and Jessica Jones. Surrounding her at birth are icons like Iron Man, Captain Marvel (then known as Warbird), and Captain America.

Dani’s life has always been intertwined with superheroes. She was kidnapped during the Skrulls’ Secret Invasion, faced threats from Jessica Jones’ arch-enemy The Purple Man, and even had Squirrel Girl as her nanny. These experiences foreshadow her future as a hero.

Danielle Cage’s Rise as Captain America

In the 2015 event Ultron Forever, written by Al Ewing and drawn by Alan Davis, a team of Avengers from across time is assembled by Doctor Doom to battle Ultron, who has become the new All-Father after supplanting Odin. The team includes the future Captain America, Danielle Cage, alongside present-day heroes like Black Widow and Vision.

Later, Dani pursues her arch-enemy, The Golden Skull, to the present day, where she joins the U.S.Avengers, a team led by Bobby da Costa (a.k.a. Sunspot of the New Mutants). While Luke Cage and Jessica Jones are not often counted among Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, their daughter more than compensates for their absence.

Dani Cage: A True Believer in the Captain America Legacy

Unlike many futuristic stories where Captain America is broken or disillusioned—such as in Earth X, The Last Avengers Story, or Avengers: Twilight—Dani fully embraces the heroic principles of the shield. Her declaration, “I am the shield!” underscores her unwavering commitment to the ideals of Captain America.