Daredevil #1 is a Solid, Fresh Start for Matt Murdock (Review)

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I’m so excited to see Daredevil back! It’s been a crazy few years for Matt Murdock, honestly. Just in the last decade, he’s been through so much – prison, literal Hell, leading an army, becoming a priest, and even fighting the Seven Deadly Sins! Things had been a little quiet for him recently, though, after wrapping up his last series. It’s great to see him stepping back into action with this new volume, and it’s already looking really promising.

With Daredevil back on screen in season two of Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel is quickly following up with a new comic series. Writer Stephanie Phillips (known for Planet She-Hulk and Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider) and artist Lee Garbett (Strange, Groot) are teaming up to tell the next chapter in Matt Murdock’s story. As a longtime Daredevil fan, I was excited for this new series, and I’m pleased to say the first issue sets a great path forward for the character.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros Cons
Phillips captures Daredevil’s voice well A little thin in Matt’s personal life
Garbett’s action is very fluid and fun Status quo change feels abrupt

Matt Murdock Finds a New Career and a New Enemy in Daredevil #1

The story by Phillips and Garbett quickly reintroduces Daredevil and hints at what’s to come through a new, enigmatic character named Omen. However, the main narrative of Daredevil #1 focuses on Matt Murdock’s new job: teaching law. Matt secured the position thanks to a recommendation from an old law school friend, James, but it was Harlan Vale, a wealthy tech entrepreneur and major donor to the school, who ultimately insisted on hiring him. Matt is wary of Vale’s involvement, but he remains focused on both his teaching and his work as Daredevil at night.

Something unusual is happening in Hell’s Kitchen. Police discovered a body on the subway with its eyes missing, leaving them baffled. Meanwhile, Matt Murdock tries to return to his normal life. After stopping an attack, Daredevil comes home to find a mysterious figure named Omen waiting for him. Omen initially appears harmless, claiming to have a message for Matt. However, when Daredevil tries to grab Omen, they disappear, seemingly beyond his heightened senses. Omen throws Daredevil out of a window, but not before delivering a chilling prophecy: Matt Murdock is going to die.

Daredevil #1 is a Great Start with a Lot of Potential

One of the strongest aspects of Daredevil #1 is how accessible it is to both longtime fans and new readers. The story immediately throws you into a changed situation, which can be a bit disorienting, but cleverly mirrors Matt Murdock’s own feelings as he adjusts to being a law professor. What truly impressed me about this version of Daredevil is the narration – it feels experienced, a little hardened by past struggles, but ultimately hopeful. Getting the narration right is crucial for Daredevil, and Phillips absolutely nails it.

Overall, this book is good, but it left me wanting a little more. It feels like we’re jumping into the story mid-way, with a lot of unanswered questions that I expect future issues will address. While the new job and the introduction of Omen are interesting, I would have appreciated a bit more background on Matt’s personal life. Still, it wasn’t as jarring as some previous volumes – like when Matt was recovering from his experiences in Hell.

Garbett’s work on this issue is fantastic. The artwork and environments perfectly capture the feel of a Daredevil comic. What really stands out, though, are the action sequences. From car chases to hand-to-hand combat, everything is dynamic and flows incredibly well. While we’ve come to expect impressive fight scenes from Daredevil’s TV shows, this comic delivers equally thrilling confrontations. If you’re looking for intense action, this issue doesn’t disappoint, and it’s sure to appeal to fans of the Born Again storyline.

It’s great that Marvel is publishing a new Daredevil comic series alongside the second season of Born Again. Even better, this isn’t just a quick cash-in on the show’s popularity. The creative team of Phillips and Garbett clearly has a strong, unique vision for Daredevil, and I’m excited to see where they take the character. If the Born Again series leaves fans wanting more, I think this comic will definitely deliver.

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2026-04-01 16:42