Daredevil and how seeking forgiveness unlocks his greatest qualities

One of the more iconic characters in the history of Marvel comics is Matt Murdock. Lawyer by day. Acrobatic crime-fighter by night. While all masked superheroes have a dichotomy between these personas, Murdock/Daredevil is particularly interesting to me as a Catholic. Besides the X-Men’s Nightcrawler, there’s no character in comics whose identity is as closely linked to his faith than Daredevil.

This article will focus on Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil storyline (Volumes 1-4 specifically). He adds layers and depth to the incredible history of the Man Without Fear. Murdock wrestles with how to use his gifts after a criminal dies after fighting him. This burden weighs on Daredevil for much of the series and forces him to step back from the vigilante life (for a time).

Decisions and Consequences

I discovered the amazing work of Zdarsky first through reading Spider-Man: Life Story (I highly recommend it).  The innate desire to take responsibility because of the powers they possess are similar in Daredevil and Spider-Man. It’s perhaps one of the reasons these characters are among the most popular in Marvel comics.

Volume 1 begins with Daredevil fighting three criminals after robbing a liquor store. He defeats them but it was a struggle and in the aftermath one of the men dies (in a hospital). Initially, Daredevil doesn’t realize how badly he hurt the man. But he learns the truth when he interrogates the doctor who tried to save the man’s life. “Tell me what happened!” Murdock urges the doctor. The physician replied, “…He came in with a head injury, at the base of his skull…you, you did this. That man is dead because of you. if you came here to assign blame it’s not going to happen. Sometimes I can’t save people…but this man was going to die no matter what we did.”

The Man Without Fear was afraid of what he had done. Fear isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can help keep you from danger and death. In Murdock’s case fear of the sin he committed pushed him to visit a priest in the confessional.

Daredevil starts to confess his sins of using great violence and tries to justify it by mentioning how Jesus used a whip to drive money changers from the Temple. The priest clarifies how there’s a difference between a man who saves someone through the unfortunate use of violence and someone who seeks violence like an addict.

Murdock later returns to the church when he learns of the criminal’s death. But the priest isn’t in at the time. He speaks briefly with a nun― Sister Elizabeth. Their exchange sets up the rest Daredevil’s journey.

Daredevil: I’m being tested, Sis–Elizabeth, everyone thinks I did something…something unforgivable, but I…

Sister Elizabeth: Nothing is unforgivable Matthew, save for final impenitence.

Daredevil: I…of course. I’m a good enough Catholic to always repent…but a good enough raised Catholic to feel like it it’ll never apply to me…All I want to do…All I ever wanted to do was help people.

Sister Elizabeth: Well then help people.

Enduring the Gauntlet of Suffering

Murdock leaves the church thinking about his mission to help people. He tells himself how careful and calculated he is with each and every punch, jab, and kick. Enough to incapacitate― not kill. Daredevil tells himself, “I know exactly where to kick the solar plexus to knock the wind out of this guy without damaging a liver or spleen. I use violence but also compassion.”

Daredevil continues down the path of denial of his involvement with the man’s (Leo Carraro) death. When Mayor Fisk send the New York police force to apprehend Murdock, the Man Without Fear tries to outrun them. This leads to him getting shot, injured and eventually in a boxing match with Detective Cole North (a transfer from Chicago PD). Daredevil evades capture amid chaos caused by an attack from The Punisher. Frank Castle tries to convince Daredevil they’re now the same. Killing criminals as a means of justice for the victims. Murdock denies this and defeats The Punisher― leaving him for the police to arrest.

In Volume 2, Zdarsky has Daredevil tracking down the activities of The Owl. Since Wilson Fisk became mayor, he distanced himself from the mob scene and this left a power vacuum in Hell’s Kitchen. Along with The Owl, the Libris family competed for authority in the neighborhood district. Murdock befriended Mindy Libris and learned about her family’s involvement (and control) in Hell’s Kitchen after being invited to a family meal. Daredevil goes further into the chaos when he decides to maintain his vigilantism without his superhero costume: he frees a missing teen from a gang and helps Detective North from an attack by dirty cops at the precinct. But his anguish and suffering don’t completely leave him.

From Forgiveness to Penance

The third and fourth volumes in this series are titled Through Hell and End of Hell respectively. But these could have easily been called Path to Forgiveness and Final Penance. These themes permeate issues #11-20. Daredevil copycats pop up throughout Hell’s Kitchen in the absence of Murdock’s costumed presence. In his civilian persona, Murdock works as a parole officer to the brother (Joey Carraro) of the man (Leo) he accidentally killed, as a means of atonement.

Another way Murdock sought betterment was through a more focused training from his former girlfriend Electra. Murdock knows he was granted his supernatural senses for a reason. Here’s a brief exchange between the two vigilantes:

Murdock: I need to know myself better, know my problems that need solving. For the first time in a long time, I feel myself…

Electra: So, what’s your main problem, then?

Murdock: The system I want to help people, but the system…the cops aren’t policing Hell’s Kitchen. And the ones who are? They’re dirty. I need to know more about why this is happening and how to solve it. I have power, I need to focus it.

Electra: Then that’s your homework…gain knowledge.

Murdock puts his investigative skills into action by following the breadcrumbs all the way to the Governor of New York. Murdock learned the governor’s biggest donor, The Stroymyn Family, ordered him to sign an order to make Hell’s Kitchen a no-man’s-land.

Putting his plan into action The Man Without Fear tells Electra why he hasn’t donned the red-horned costume. “I can’t be Daredevil again. Daredevil was a mistake, and now…now it’s a symbol that’s tainted. I was playing at a thing, in a costume, to absolve my actions,” he tells Electra (Issue #16).

Murdock and Electra sneak into the Stroymyn’s company and steal millions of dollars that they send to the bank account’s legal aid clinic, homeless shelter, and other non-profits linked to Hell’s Kitchen. His training to be more focused on using his skills for non-lethal force and this Robin-Hooding a corrupt family are means to his atonement. But Murdock realized he needed to be honest with Leo Carraro’s mother who killed her son.

Murdock: It doesn’t seem right that I keep it…so I was hoping you’d accept.

Carraro’s mother: I know. Joey he told me…You killed my boy (Leo). He was my light. But he was on a terrible path. I have no doubt what happened was an accident. I can see it on your face, your desperation to make amends.

Murdock: I don’t…

Carraro’s mother: Joey came to me with this because he’s lost. He doesn’t know what to do about you, how to punish you. But anyone who can see… or listen… can tell that you’re punishing yourself. And you should. It’s only fair. My heart is broken. You made a mistake and he’s gone. But I know you help people, and you’ll carry this and…I forgive you.

Carraro’s mother hugs Murdock in a forgiving embrace. This is far and away the most emotional scene in the series and is the action needed to propel The Man Without Fear into his final penance.

Before this happens, Murdock, Electra, and the remaining good police officers fend off Hell’s Kitchen from the Stroymyn’s mercenary might of: Crossbones, Bullseye, Stilt-Man, The Rhino, and Bullet. Several Hell’s Kitchen residents join the fight wearing “Daredevil” masks. They helped in the fight but could only do so much in fending off the villains. Murdock’s best friend, Fogg Nelson, pleads with him to find safety but The Man Without Fear remains resolute. Foggy realizes, “You’re Daredevil ’cause someone has to be.” Murdock then focuses his hyper-senses to assess the situation and goes into an acrobatic melee assault on the mercenaries.

Murdock is interviewed by the media after the battle and admits he is Daredevil and turns himself into the authorities for the killing of Leo Carraro. Volumes 5 and 6 see him in prison as a penance. Zdarsky’s run shows how even superheroes cannot outrun the consequences of their actions. Bad things happen to good people even with the best of intentions. Murdock wasn’t able to fully put this matter behind him until he took responsibility.

Sin separates one from God and others. While Murdock didn’t officially receive the sacrament of Confession (he began the process but left during it) he did seek ways to atone for his sins and seek forgiveness from the family of those he hurt. God wants you to become the best version of yourself. Hiding behind a mask of unhealthy habits can only take you so far. Confessing your sins is like removing a facade you created (even if it had a good intention behind it). I look forward to what’s next for Daredevil and am certain he will be a great reminder of how forgiveness is key to restoring your true identity!