Warning: contains spoilers for Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #3!
Marvel reveals that Daredevil’s major weakness is not his blindness and never has been; his true weakness is far worse and much harder to eliminate. The lawyer and vigilante Matt Murdock is one of the world’s most famous blind heroic fighting figures; along with Zatoichi, the blind swordsman of Japanese cinema, Daredevil has shown the world that one can not only fight while blind, but fight better than those who can see.
The Devil’s Reign epic crossover event rages across the terrestrial Marvel Universe, in which the Kingpin uses his power as Mayor of New York to outlaw all superhero activity in the city. While the Kingpin shores up his power in a bid to run for President of the United States (aided by the Purple Man’s harnessed powers of persuasion), the Thunderbolts begin rounding up all superheroes, including two members of the Fantastic Four (the Human Torch and Ben Grimm manage to escape, and later assist Reed Richards and Susan Storm).
The villain Kraven the Hunter (known primarily for his vendetta against Spider-Man) is also a Thunderbolt, and uses his newfound authority to apprehend Daredevil, here played by Elektra. Deeply in love with Matt Murdock, Elektra fights Kraven in a brutal battle, and eventually baits her foe into fighting in a dark building in an attempt to even the odds. “I’ve been going about this the wrong way,” she muses, as Kraven searches for Elektra. “No matter his training, Matthew, at his heart, is a boxer–a brawler.”
Daredevil, blind since an accident doused his eyes with radioactive chemicals, indeed uses his other enhanced senses to navigate and fight his way through New York City. But the accident did little to change his personality. Much like his boxer of a father, Matt Murdock prefers to barge into situations without thinking things through; in that respect, Elektra truly is his best possible partner, as she’s trained specifically to kill without being seen, rather than through a loud brawl.
As of the end of Devil’s Reign #4, the Kingpin has unlocked his memories of Daredevil’s true identity. This means Matt Murdock is in grave danger and Elektra’s skills are surely needed to save him. Daredevil may be blind, but that has never impeded him in a fight before; he true weakness is is inability to fight with any subterfuge…or realize the consequences of his actions until it’s too late.
