Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Episodes 1 and 2.
After a significant hiatus, Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox) returns to the forefront of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the launch of Daredevil: Born Again. Premiering earlier this week, this sequel series dedicates substantial time to introducing new characters and a fresh status quo. Notably, it assumes that many viewers possess some foundational knowledge of Matt and the previous Daredevil series, along with the rich lore of the Daredevil comics. This approach may alienate new or casual viewers, leading to potential confusion regarding key elements of the narrative, particularly concerning Matt’s extraordinary superpowers. Thus, this discussion aims to clarify the unique abilities of the Man Without Fear and how they function within the storyline.
Exploring Daredevil’s Extraordinary Superhuman Senses
In both the comic book and MCU narratives, Matt Murdock’s journey begins when he loses his sight as a young boy. This tragedy occurs while he selflessly saves an elderly neighbor from an oncoming truck loaded with dangerous materials. Following this life-altering incident, Matt awakens to discover that his other senses have reached astonishing levels of sensitivity and awareness. Among these heightened senses, he develops a unique ability known as a “radar sense,” enabling him to visualize shapes and movements around him in an impressive 360-degree field. Over more than 60 years of storytelling, early comics articulate how Matt trained himself to harness these extraordinary abilities, ultimately empowering him to fight crime as the heroic Daredevil.
During the pivotal early run of the ongoing Daredevil comic series, esteemed writer and artist Frank Miller played a crucial role in elevating Matt’s popularity, solidifying his status as a central figure in the Marvel universe. It was in this context that Miller introduced Stick, another blind individual possessing similar heightened senses, into Matt’s backstory through a retcon. This addition reveals how Stick became Matt’s initial mentor, guiding him in controlling his powers, mastering martial arts, and acquiring semi-mystical skills. In a contemporary encounter, Stick enlightens Matt about the potential within all humans to access their senses at this heightened level of intensity, asserting that the accident merely unleashed Matt’s dormant capabilities.
While the television adaptation may not delve into the intricate sensory experiences that Matt often reflects upon in the comics, the portrayal of his abilities remains consistent across both formats. As anticipated, Matt primarily relies on his enhanced hearing, which is so acute that he can identify individuals by their voices and physical sounds. Additionally, he possesses the uncanny ability to discern when someone is lying by detecting subtle changes in their heartbeat. His heightened sense of smell is equally important, serving as a critical tool for tracking investigative targets during his crime-fighting escapades. Occasionally, he also utilizes his senses of touch and taste to uncover vital details in complex situations.
The characteristics of his radar sense have evolved throughout Matt’s extensive history in comic books and adaptations. Initially, particularly during Miller’s tenure, Matt’s radar was depicted as a distinct, standalone ability, often relied upon when his other senses were compromised. However, more recent comics and adaptations, including Cox’s portrayal in the MCU and the earlier live-action film featuring Ben Affleck as Matt, have redefined the radar as a composite of his natural senses. Essentially, the information gathered from his four remaining senses amalgamates to create “visual impressions,” allowing him to navigate his environment despite his blindness.
Consequently, the clarity of his radar sense fluctuates based on Matt’s physical state and the surrounding conditions. For instance, in one cinematic portrayal, he describes how heavy rain produces a cacophony of sounds from raindrops, providing him with so much sensory data that he feels as though “he can see again.” The film visually represents his perspective, displaying images that, while shadowy and tinted a deep blue, still convey enough clarity for interpretation. Conversely, circumstances involving overwhelming noise or heavy snowfall, which dampens auditory input, often complicate his ability to accurately perceive his environment.
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Read Charlie Cox’s Foreword for Marvel’s New ‘Daredevil’ Comics Collection Ahead of ‘Born Again’ [Exclusive]
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ hits Disney+ on March 4.
How ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Can Further Enhance Matt’s Unique Powers
While both the original Daredevil series and Born Again effectively showcase Matt’s distinct perspective through thoughtful shot composition and sound editing techniques, there is currently only one instance in either series where viewers are directly shown what he perceives. This memorable moment occurs in Season 1, Episode 5 of Daredevil, where Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson), a nurse who frequently treats Matt’s injuries post-mission, inquires about the functionality of his senses. After Matt elaborates on how his natural senses amalgamate to form a vivid “impressionistic painting,” Claire seeks further clarification, asking, “But what does that look like? What do you actually see?” Matt poignantly responds, “A world on fire,” accompanied by a visual representation of Claire that evokes his unique perception.
In the comics, Stick’s rigorous training has empowered Matt to perform seemingly magical feats, such as the purification of his deceased love, Elektra Natchios’ soul, a theme prevalent in several recent narratives that intertwine with his Catholic faith. Like many prominent superheroes, Matt has also temporarily acquired various other powers under extraordinary circumstances. However, Cox’s portrayal has yet to depict these remarkable abilities, and despite the narrative’s closer ties to the often fantastical MCU, Born Again has established a grounded tone reminiscent of the original series, likely avoiding the inclusion of such outlandish sequences. Nevertheless, it would be exciting to see the new series continue to explore innovative dimensions of Matt’s superhuman senses and new ways to visually represent them, as seen in the comics.
Daredevil: Born Again is available for streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.
Daredevil: Born Again
- Release Date
- March 4, 2025
- Showrunner
- Chris Ord
- Writers
- Chris Ord
- Franchise(s)
- Daredevil, Marvel Cinematic Universe
