Matt Murdock, also known as Daredevil, has returned as the lead character in a new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) television series. Daredevil: Born Again premiered recently and introduces new characters while setting up fresh storylines.
However, it does not spend much time reintroducing Matt Murdock or other returning characters from the original Daredevil series. The creators seem to assume that most viewers already know about Daredevil’s past adventures, whether from the previous show or the comic books.
For dedicated fans, this approach makes sense. However, some new or casual viewers might feel lost, especially when it comes to understanding Matt’s unique abilities. His superpowers play a big role in shaping his character and the way he fights crime. For those who are unfamiliar, this article explains how Daredevil’s senses work and how he can perceive the world despite being blind.
Matt Murdock’s Senses Become Superhuman After an Accident
In both the comics and the MCU, Matt Murdock loses his sight as a young child. One day, he saves an elderly neighbor from getting hit by a truck carrying dangerous chemicals. In the process, some of the chemicals spill onto him, permanently blinding him. Soon after, he realizes that his other senses have become much stronger than before. These heightened senses allow him to detect details that most people would never notice.
Matt also develops a special ability called “radar sense.” This lets him perceive his surroundings in all directions, almost like an advanced form of echolocation. Over time, he trains himself to use these abilities to move through the world without needing eyesight. Eventually, he hones these skills to fight crime and become the hero known as Daredevil.
A Mysterious Mentor Helps Matt Master His Powers
In the early years of Daredevil comics, Matt’s abilities were simply explained by his accident. However, in the 1980s, writer Frank Miller expanded the story. He introduced a new character named Stick, a blind martial arts master who possesses similar enhanced senses. The updated backstory revealed that Stick trained Matt in martial arts and helped him control his powers.
According to Stick, every human has the potential to sharpen their senses. However, most people never learn to do so. He explains that Matt’s accident did not give him his abilities, but instead “shocked” his body into using them at their highest potential. Stick’s lessons help Matt refine his radar sense, combat skills, and awareness of his surroundings.
This concept is also touched on in the MCU version of Daredevil. In the first season of Daredevil, Stick appears and makes a similar statement about human senses. His teachings allow Matt to reach the peak of his abilities and become an incredibly skilled fighter.
Daredevil’s Super Senses in Action
Unlike in the comics, the Daredevil TV series does not always describe Matt’s sensory experience in detail. In the comics, readers often get insights into what he hears, smells, and feels through his internal monologue. However, the show relies more on visuals and sound design to hint at how his abilities work.
Matt’s strongest and most frequently used sense is his hearing. He can recognize people by their voices and hear faint sounds that others would miss. His hearing is so sharp that he can even tell when someone is lying by listening to their heartbeat.
He also relies on his sense of smell to track people or detect hidden objects. Although he does not use his sense of taste or touch as often, both occasionally play important roles in his investigations.
The exact nature of Matt’s radar sense has changed throughout his history. Early comics described it as a separate power that allowed him to “see” his surroundings without using his other senses.
Later versions of the character suggest that his radar sense is actually a combination of all his heightened senses working together. The MCU follows this interpretation, showing Matt’s perception as a blend of hearing, smell, and touch.
Environmental Conditions Affect Matt’s Radar Sense
Matt’s ability to perceive the world around him depends on his surroundings. Some conditions help enhance his radar sense, while others make it harder for him to “see.”
For example, in the 2003 Daredevil movie starring Ben Affleck, Matt explains that heavy rain improves his perception. The sound of raindrops bouncing off objects creates a detailed mental image of his environment. In that moment, he describes the experience as “like I can see again.”
On the other hand, certain situations weaken his abilities. Extremely loud noises can overwhelm his hearing, making it difficult for him to focus. Similarly, snow can muffle sound, reducing the amount of sensory information he receives. These factors create unique challenges for him as a crimefighter, forcing him to adapt to different situations.
How Daredevil: Born Again Can Expand on Matt’s Powers
The original Daredevil series and Born Again both use creative camera work and sound editing to illustrate Matt’s perspective. However, only one scene directly shows the audience what he “sees.” In Season 1, Episode 5, Matt explains his abilities to Claire Temple, a nurse who often helps him after fights.
He describes his perception as an “impressionistic painting.” When Claire asks what he actually sees, he replies, “A world on fire.” The show then briefly displays his point of view—a hazy, glowing, orange-red vision of his surroundings.
In the comics, Stick’s training allows Matt to do more than just sense his environment. At times, he performs seemingly mystical feats, such as purifying the soul of his deceased lover, Elektra. Over the years, he has even gained temporary superpowers in unusual circumstances. However, the MCU version of Matt does not display any magical abilities.
Despite being connected to a universe with gods, aliens, and sorcerers, Born Again keeps Daredevil’s abilities grounded in reality. The show focuses on his skills as a highly trained human rather than giving him supernatural powers. Still, the series has plenty of room to showcase new aspects of his senses. The comics constantly find new ways to show Matt’s abilities, and the show could do the same.
The return of Daredevil in the MCU brings new opportunities to highlight his unique way of perceiving the world. With Born Again setting the stage for fresh stories, fans can look forward to seeing how the series continues to depict Matt Murdock’s extraordinary senses.
Daredevil: Born Again is available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
Also Read: Who Is Kirsten McDuffie in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ and How Does She Change Matt Murdock’s Life?
