Stephanie Phillips and Lee Garbett’s ongoing Daredevil run recently released its first issue, and it is loaded with exceptional exposition in a status quo that is remarkably palatable. Echoes of previous runs are certainly present, but it takes a monumental stride forward in the process of establishing what this story will offer readers, such as a brand-new Daredevil villain who is already tremendously nuanced.

As any relaunch or issue #1 should be, this first issue of Phillips and Garbett’s Daredevil run is a warm landing pad and does not require that fans know much at all about previous runs. That said, there is one page in Daredevil #1 that brilliantly expresses to readers just how rich its story’s tapestry is, and it is via Lee Garbett’s artwork and Stephanie Phillips’ storytelling that this is achieved.

Daredevil #1 Honors Hell’s Kitchen And The Devil Who Resides There

Daredevil #1 has many terrific, evocative pages that are accompanied by equally splendid writing, but one page in particular takes the cake in terms of honoring the legacy that the character has earned in the last 62 years. Said page portrays a quaint montage of Daredevil fighting crime in Hell’s Kitchen, with each panel depicting him in a different costume from his storied history, including:

• Stephanie Phillips and Lee Garbett’s signature, modern take on Daredevil’s red costume, which he wears in this brand-new run.
• Stan Lee and Bill Everett’s original yellow, black, and red costume from Daredevil’s first appearance in Daredevil (1964) #1.
• Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.’s homemade, black sweatsuit from Daredevil: The Man Without Fear (1993).
• D.G. Chichester and Scott McDaniel’s armored, blue-and-red costume from Daredevil (1964) #321.

It is a beautiful page that not only reflects on a few of the incredible costumes Matt Murdock has worn as Daredevil in the past, but also how far he and Hell’s Kitchen go back. This notion of age is a big theme throughout the first issue, with Matt left to ponder his new role as a law professor at Empire State University, as well as how much Hell’s Kitchen has mutated over the years.

If nothing else, this new Daredevil run has the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap between fans of the Disney+ TV show Daredevil: Born Again, which is fortuitously releasing its second season on the streaming service now. This will be a boon for anyone who is going into it as a reader without any prior knowledge of past writers’ stories or events, and Marvel will likely be hoping to cast as wide a net as possible with Daredevil having his greatest heyday in a while across comics and the MCU’s movie and TV content, especially if Daredevil happens to cameo in Spider-Man: Brand New Day this summer along with Punisher.

Phillips And Garbett’s Run Is Looking Bright

Phillips and Garbett’s Daredevil run is obviously in its infancy right now, with only one issue having been released (and more teased or foreshadowed via the nature of comic book solicitations). Nonetheless, it will be fascinating to see how Matt’s character will continue to develop as an ESU professor, including how soon a romance might blossom between him and fellow professor Sari Ellison.

Omen is also a fantastic hook for the ongoing series as it finds its legs, complete with an ill-fated premonition that the so-called “villain” is determined to warn Matt about. If Omen does turn out to be a villain, it will be interesting to see how Matt contends with them as a blind character whose other senses are enhanced, whereas Omen seems to see much more than they would probably like to, and may be plagued by that foresight.

Daredevil #2 is scheduled to be released on May 6, 2026.