Ten-Eyed Man

Origin

A soldier in Vietnam, Philip Reardon was honourably discharged from the US Special Forces when he was injured in a grenade blast which resulted in shrapnel being embedded between his eyes. Returning to the states and civilian life, Reardon took up work as a security guard. During his shift at the warehouse he was attacked by thieves, who knocked him out and planted a bomb. Awakening just before the bomb was set to go off, Reardon attacked the recently-arrived Batman, believing in his disorientated state that Batman was working with the thieves. He recognized Batman for who he was just as the bomb exploded; the force of the bomb aggravated his war wound and rendered him permanently blind. He was attended to by Dr Engstrom, who moved his optic fibres to his fingertips, allowing him to see through his fingers. Driven by a desire for vengeance against Batman, who he blamed for his condition, Reardon turned to crime as the Ten-Eyed Man.

Major Story Arcs

Villain

The Ten-Eyed Man is hired by unknown persons to combat the Man-Bat, but is injured when a shrub is thrown at him and he catches it, inadvertently wounding his “eyes”. Later he clashes with Batman on two separate occasions, suffering defeats both times due to his “eyes'” sensitivity to touch and light. He is imprisoned and kept blind to prevent his escape.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

The Ten-Eyed Man is killed during the chaos of the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Return

Ten-Eyed Man is briefly summoned out of oblivion by Psycho-Pirate. He is then stored in the Medusa Mask alongside the other erased characters who had been summoned.

Powers and Abilities

Ten-Eyed Man has optic nerves connected to “eyes” in each of his fingertips, allowing him to see through his hands. He is a skilled combatant, both armed and unarmed, due to his Special Forces training. He is also a skilled marksman, which is enhanced by his fingertip vision.

Other Media

Animation

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Ten-Eyed Man makes appearances in four episodes in this show, beginning with the episode “A Bat Divided!” In his speaking appearances he is voiced by Robin Atkin Downes.