#blind superhero

[blindbeta]

Hello.

I am writing a superhero series and I have a blind superhero character. I am currently trying to research how to portray this character in a respectful and accurate way.

For context, this hero is part of the supporting cast, and is a character the MC meets later on in the story. Every character in this world has some sort of superpower. His is the ability to control sound waves. While he can use them in an echolocation sort of way to detect enemy attacks, he can't use them in his everyday life as using your power is just the same as doing any physical activity, it's tiring.

Though, some blogs I've seen seem to discourage giving blind characters superpowers. I don't think this character's powers necessarily "cancel out his disability" I just want to make sure I'm writing this character respectfully.

I guess what I'm asking is, do you have any tips for writing blind superhero characters?

Blind Characters, Echolocation, and General Tips for Writing Super-powered Blind Characters

I answered a similar question that might be helpful. It explored some problems with the echolocation trope. You can read it here.

Limiting the Use of Echolocation

I like the fact that he can’t use it for very long and that it is draining, much like eye strain or using echolocation in real life. Echolocation is also challenging to learn and is not a replacement for a cane or other mobility aid. It would be unhelpful with most day-to-day activities. I’m glad you are considering the possibility of a superpower erasing his blindness and avoiding it in daily life.

Although, I still wonder about his superhero life.

Can he be an active superhero without echolocation? If it is something he relies on to be a superhero, maybe that would be something to consider. If he is an active superhero without it, you’re on a good course.

Furthermore, does he only use his powers for echolocation? I would assume not, although I could not tell from your question, as your main concern is the echolocation aspect.

Addressing Common Concerns With the Powers Often Given to Blind Characters

1. Negating blindness

Controlling sound waves doesn’t necessarily negate blindness outside of echolocation possibilities, as far as I can imagine. Aside from the overly common trope of giving a blind character a sensory-based power, that is. My concern is less about superpowers in general and more about powers that negate blindness, such as those that provide sight. An example would be a character who uses visions of the future to be able to see the way a sighted person would.

Does he still navigate in a way that might be familiar to blind readers? Does he use orientation and mobility techniques? Does he use Braille or large print or brave regular text with headaches so frequent his pockets are full of medication? Does his blindness impact his life?

Blindness need not only limit a character. Is he better able to orient himself? Can he pick up on sounds and landmarks and changes in light with more ease than his teammates? Is he used to getting hurt while playing blind football and thus able to withstand typical scrapes and bruises without being slowed by them? These are only a few ideas and they will change depending on his level of vision, exposure to the blind community, and how long he has been blind.

2. The Power to See is Boring

Additionally, these powers usually focus on addressing blindness, rather than being powers in their own right. This is the difference between a superhero with the power to see and a superhero who can manipulate emotions with a brush of their hand.

Could you consider other uses for this power that aren’t echolocation? For example, could he use his powers to facilitate or conceal communication? To amplify sound? Think of applications for the power that don’t involve echolocation or creating a way to see. Create other uses for echolocation. From your question, it seems you are already considering this.

The way you described use of the power doesn’t seem to negate blindness to me. I also think that considering other uses of this power outside of echolocation (which is often written to negate or reduce the impact of blindness) would be helpful.

Also, as I was reading your question again, I wondered if there are any other blind characters in the story. Since everyone has powers, that could be interesting to explore even if they don’t decide to be superheroes.

I hope this gives you some ideas to explore. Feel free to send a follow-up ask if needed.

[vertigoartgore]

"DAREDEVIL: THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR" #1 COMIC BOOK TITLE SPLASH PAGE ORIGINAL ART BY JOHN ROMITA JR.

Hakes's Auctions : "14.5x20.25" Marvel Comics twice-up artboard has John Romita Jr.'s pencil and ink original art (inked by Al Williamson) for title splash page to "Daredevil: The Man Without Fear" #1, published by Marvel Oct. 1993. Romita Jr.'s art features close-up image of Daredevil's secret identity Matthew Murdock blindfolded, beaten and bloodied as he appeared in retelling of his origin. Top margin has stamped "Daredevil" title w/handwritten "Man Without Fear" subtitle, issue number and "1 - Splash/Title" designation. Bottom margin has been boldly signed in black felt tip pen by Romita Jr., who added "99" date. Scattered lt. handling wear/aging w/.25" puncture to bottom center margin and some corner tip wear, but art remains clean and Exc. Comes w/reading copy of the issue for which this art was published. Rare chance to own the introductory splash page for one of the most well-regarded "Daredevil" stories of all time."

[neotechcreationsblog]

[1stellarluminousechoblog]

[technofuturismsculpturesblog]

[techtrendytreks48blog]

[expensivemistake]

daredevil stuff started going to shit when people became more interested in the intersection between his religion and his superheroics as opposed to the intersections between his superheroics, his blindness and his legal career.

[cyanidespideycup]

Broke: Being bit by the spider fixed Peter's eyesight and his need for glasses.

Woke: The reason Peter has those big lenses on his suit is because he can't wear his glasses under the mask and the lenses are actually prescription.

[sunnysam-my]

Repeat after me folks. Daredevil is a SUPERhero, because he has SUPERPOWERS.

Daredevil has superhearing abilities. The chemicals that gave him those powers burned his eyes which made him blind.

I bet your ass that if Matt Murdock wasn't blind nobody wouldn't question if he has powers. Nobody would forget that.

He's not just a blind, regular human vigilante.

[wanderingmind867]

Marvel and DC both had blind superheroes whose whole thing was having powers related to being blind (Daredevil and Doctor Mid-Nite), but neither company seems to have any characters with power sets related to being deaf. And I mean... I can think of some good options already for deaf heroes. For example: they lost their hearing of normal, traditional sounds. But! They can now hear different frequencies from an average person, meaning they're actually a better listener than someone with normal hearing. See? It's that simple. Someone should really make a deaf hero with a power tied to their hearing. It's the logical next step here.

[aliceleclert]

#Murdocktober 20: Sacrifice

[evolve-rat]

Madame web might have some serious editing issues but it’s a fun movie and more coherent than half the recent marvel stuff so I will be defending it

[vertigoartgore]

Daredevil vs. Elektra by a young Alan Davis (when he was working for Marvel UK). Used back then for the cover of The Daredevils #10.

[aliusfrater]

i hateee the way the supernatural narrative sets up like. relationship conflict through fault because i feel like it's counterintuitive to understanding characterisations and relationship dynamics

[torture-themed]

Self-Indulgent Hero x Villain Caretaking Fluff

A vignette featuring my favorite couple to write. I have more set in this universe, we'll see if it's worthy of uploading

content: hero x villain, blood/bleeding, reopened wound, hidden injury, dubious caretaker (she's mostly good), fade to black, use of the word "whore" (not derogatory)

Micheal Moriarty was bleeding. There was blood on his shirt, and the bedsheets, and even on his pillow. He must have reopened his wound in his sleep. He groaned, careful not to wake his sleeping wife next to him. The last thing he wanted was to bother her.

Mike pulled back the covers and slipped silently out of bed. He’d nearly slipped past his wife when a hand shot out from under the covers and grabbed his wrist.

“Ariel, I’m just going to pee.” He said, loudly enough that she could hear him without her hearing aids. Ariel sat up, her dark eyes focused on his stomach. 

“No you’re not. I smell blood. Did you ruin the sheets?” She demanded.

“Don’t worry, baby, I’m–ack!” Ariel shot forward and jabbed two fingers into his wound. She pulled away and inspected the blood on her fingers.

“Just going to pee?” She wiped the blood off on the sheets. “You were always bad at treating wounds. What, did you use superglue? Come on.” Before Mike could protest, Ariel dragged Mike into their little en suite bathroom. She’d always been stronger than him, and he did not put up a fight.

Ariel pulled up her husband’s shirt to inspect the wound. It wasn’t too deep or too long, but it was bleeding profusely. Whatever bandages he had put on had apparently slipped off in bed.

“If I didn’t know the answer I’d ask if you were blind. What the hell is this? Who cut you?” Ariel demanded. She opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out gauze. Ariel began to bandage the wound, pressing on it to make him wince.

“Pinpoint. They threw a ninja star at me. A ninja star! Where do they get this stuff? They threw five of them at me and only grazed me once. The Bay’s best superhero, my ass.” Mike was rambling, he couldn’t help it. How was he meant to keep his composure when his wonderful wife had her hands all over him? 

Ariel smiled. She’d finished wrapping the wound and was just running her hands over her husband’s torso. Mike quickly caught on and caught her hands. He brought them to his mouth and kissed them. The humidity in the small room raised with Ariel’s excitement.

“Love, stop that. You’ll make it rain in the bathroom again. We can’t have sex anyway, the bed’s full of blood.” Mike said. He pressed kisses up Ariel’s arm, stopping at her cheek. She grabbed him and kissed him on the mouth.

“Is the self-proclaimed ‘city’s biggest whore’ going to let that stop him? You’re a coward.” Ariel grabbed Mike by the hips and dragged him back to bed. “Come on, I’ll make you really hurt.”

Mike laughed and collapsed into the bloody bed with his beloved wife. He’d bleed some more before the night was out, and the pair would find his old bandages at the worst possible moment, but for now the two were simply lost in bliss.

[sbd-laytall]

Ava Silva 🤝 Matt Murdock: being brought up by nuns in an orphanage while having a disability.