Daredevil's heightened senses have always defined Matt Murdock, but his true superpower is far less obvious. While his supersonic hearing gives him a distinct advantage in most situations, his real strength becomes most evident when the mask comes off. Many, especially his enemies, underestimate him, assuming that his blindness and tragic past have left him broken. Little do they realize, it’s the depth of his suffering that makes him even more dangerous.

People often let their guard down around Murdock, assuming that the blind lawyer has already endured enough loss and pain. What they fail to realize is that his brutal experiences have forged a mind that never stops fighting. From childhood trauma to relentless personal battles, Matt’s journey has been defined by hardship, shaping him into one of Marvel’s darkest heroes. While some might see it as an unending streak of bad luck, others could view it as a series of kismet events that shaped his character. Here are some of the Devil’s most tragic and brutal moments.

10 Daredevil Is Forced to Stab Out His Own Eyes

Daredevil #11 (2022)

One of Matt Murdock’s most brutal moments unfolds in Daredevil #11 (2022), where he is forced to make an unimaginable sacrifice. With his loved ones captured by The Hand, Matt faces a choice that will change everything. Written by Chip Zdarsky, this heart-wrenching scene sees Matt stab out his own eyes in a desperate attempt to save Elektra and his allies, making it one of the darkest and most defining moments in his heroic journey. This shocking act of self-mutilation is not just a physical escape, but a symbolic representation of Matt’s internal collapse.

Disfiguring himself isn’t just a last resort to break free from his captors—it’s a sacrifice of the very essence of Daredevil as a character. In a split second, Matt proves just how far he’s willing to go to protect those he loves, even enduring unimaginable self-inflicted pain. This moment marks a profound turning point, leaving Matt permanently scarred, both physically and mentally. It’s a brutally tragic act, forever changing Daredevil's understanding of heroism and sacrifice.

9 Matt Murdock's Daredevil Persona Caused Him to Lose EVERYTHING

Daredevil: Born Again (1986)

Murdock faces his life's most devastating and brutal deconstruction in Daredevil: Born Again (1986). Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, this iconic arc strips Matt of everything he holds dear. His secret identity is sold to the Kingpin by his ex-girlfriend Karen Page, setting off a chain of events that destroy his career, reputation, and even his home. Matt is disbarred, forced into homelessness, and must rebuild from the ground up. It’s a heartbreaking moment that shows how quickly his worst fears—losing everything—can become reality.

The story’s raw power lies in how Matt is broken down, physically and emotionally. The Kingpin’s manipulative tactics leave Matt destitute and isolated, with his allies turning their backs and his sense of self crumbling. Forced to fight against his deepest fears and vulnerabilities, Matt endures betrayals, beatings, and near-death experiences. As he spirals into madness, this brutal journey sets the stage for Matt’s eventual rebirth—just as the title suggests. This series seems to be the inspiration behind the recent Disney+ Daredevil show, and it’s a haunting look at the consequences of a man pushed beyond his limits.

8 Daredevil Bad Luck in Romance (See: Typhoid Mary)

Daredevil #297 (1991)

One of Daredevil’s most morally complex moments comes when Matt Murdock crosses a line that challenges his very sense of justice. In Daredevil #297 (1992), Matt’s attempt to "save" Typhoid Mary takes a disturbing turn when he manipulates the system to have her institutionalized against her will. Written by D.G. Chichester and illustrated by Lee Weeks, this dark decision highlights Matt’s inner conflict and his willingness to do whatever it takes, even if it means hurting someone he cares about. What begins as an effort to help Mary spirals into a disturbing betrayal, pushing Matt to confront the blurry line between right and wrong.

Typhoid Mary’s history with Matt is a turbulent one, filled with love, betrayal, and manipulation. In Daredevil #297, she becomes the victim of Matt’s misguided plan to get her the help she needs. Seducing her, then abandoning her in a motel, Matt arranges for Mary to be taken away in a straitjacket, falsely believing this is the only way to help her. While his intentions are rooted in care, his method is unsettlingly dark. Typhiod Mary may not be Daredevil's greatest romance, but this morally dubious act forces Matt to face the harsh reality of his choices, further revealing the moral compromises that haunt him.

7 Matt Murdock Losses His Best Friend: The Death of Foggy Nelson

Daredevil Born Again (Disney +)

The death of Foggy Nelson in the opening moments of the new Disney+ series was a gut punch, especially for fans who had been eagerly anticipating the reunion of the Netflix cast. What seemed like a warm return quickly took a dark turn, leaving viewers stunned. While killing off a beloved character was a bold move, it ultimately catalyzed Matt Murdock’s emotional rebirth. This moment marked a major shift, setting the stage for Matt's journey through grief, guilt, and revenge.

As the season unfolds, Foggy's death becomes one of the most brutal, heart-wrenching moments in Daredevil's history. The heartbreaking scene where Matt listens to Foggy’s heartbeat slowly fade while he’s battling Bullseye was a punch to the gut that no one saw coming. It’s a game-changer for Matt, pushing him to the brink of becoming the very thing he once despised—someone willing to kill. The same brand of justice that Frank Castle preached is now something Matt is considering. This tragedy doesn’t just change the game; it redefines Matt Murdock as a hero—and perhaps, a man on the edge.

6 Daredevil Becomes the Leader of the Hand

Shadowland #1 (2010)

The Shadowland event in 2010 marked one of the darkest turns in Daredevil’s story. Written by Andy Diggle and illustrated by Billy Tan, the story shows Matt's descent into darkness reaching a haunting climax that forever changes him. The event sees Murdock becoming the leader of the Hand, and ultimately becoming possessed by a demon.

In his corrupted state, Matt murders one of his strongest villains, Bullseye, and betrays everything he once stood for. Daredevil questions whether he can ever find redemption as he battles the forces within him. The emotional weight of this moment is immense, as Murdock grapples with the irreversible consequences of his actions and what they mean for his future.

5 Daredevil Is Forced to Suffer Another Romantic Loss (See: Milla Donovan)

Daredevil #41 (1964)

Another of Matt Murdock's most heart-wrenching moments is when the woman he loves is pushed to the edge of madness. Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Alex Maleev, Daredevil #41 explores the devastating consequences of Mister Fear’s psychological manipulation, which leads to Matt institutionalizing his lover, Milla Donovan, after she completely breaks down.

Milla is another example of Daredevil's many lovers who didn't quite survive the affair. For Matt, this moment is a crushing blow, as someone he cares about deeply is torn apart by external forces. This also creates a disturbing pattern of institutionalizing those that he loves, given that Typhiod Mary suffered a similar fate.

4 Daredevil Is Forced to Witness Bullseye Kill Karen Page

Daredevil #5 (1998)

Karen Page’s death stands as one of the most shocking and brutal moments in Daredevil’s life, leaving Matt Murdock shattered. Written by Kevin Smith and illustrated by Joe Quesada, this heart-wrenching moment seen in Daredevil #5 (1998) shows Karen brutally murdered by Bullseye, under Mysterio’s manipulation, with a single gunshot to the head in front of Matt.

Karen Page's tragic fate not only takes away a love he deeply cherished, but it also serves as a cruel reminder of how fragile the lives of those around him are in a world where heroes and their loved ones are relentlessly targeted. This loss marks a devastating turning point in Matt’s journey.

3 Daredevil Losses Himself in His Pain-Filled Rage, Carving Bullseye's Forehead

Daredevil #191 (1964)

Matt Murdock’s rage reaches its peak in one of the most brutal moments of his career, carving a symbol into Bullseye’s forehead with a rock in Daredevil #191. Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Alex Maleev, this shocking act comes after Bullseye’s long history of violence, including the deaths of Elektra and Karen Page.

Fueled by anger and desperation, Matt marks Marvel's deadliest assassin with a symbol of his triumph. Beneath the violence lies a moment of deep personal loss, as it underscores just how much his enemies have eroded Matt’s spirit over the years.

2 Daredevil Accidentally Kills a Man

Daredevil #1 (2019)

The Man without fear faced what he feared the most when he accidentally killed Leo Carraro during a fight with a group of robbers in Daredevil #1 (2019). Written by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by Marco Checchetto, this tragic moment forces Matt to confront the very thing he’s fought so hard to avoid: taking a life.

The guilt of Carraro’s death sets off a downward spiral for Matt, which drives the larger Devil’s Reign storyline. While Daredevil knows death well, this moment not only challenges his moral com but also deepens the emotional weight of his ongoing struggle, leaving him to question his very purpose as a hero.

1 Daredevil's Breaking Point: The Death of Elektra

Daredevil #181

Daredevil's world is shattered when Elektra, the love of his life, is killed by Bullseye in Daredevil #181. Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by Klaus Janson, this tragic moment occurs during a brutal showdown between Elektra and Bullseye, where she is fatally impaled by her own sai.

Her death devastates Matt, not only because of his love for her but because it highlights the inescapable chaos his enemies bring into the lives of those closest to him. Even though Elektra is eventually resurrected, and their romance is officially over, the emotional impact of her death remains, marking it as one of Daredevil's most heart-wrenching losses and streaks of 'bad luck.'

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  Daredevil

  The Daredevil franchise centers on the Marvel Comics superhero Daredevil, also known as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with heightened senses who combats crime in New York City's Hell's Kitchen. Since his comic debut in 1964, Daredevil has expanded into various media, including film, television, and video games.

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