‘Daredevil’ #2 tightens a web of mystery and paranoia

May 6, 2026

The true test of any comic isn’t its first issue, but rather its second. That second issue is the proof that the creative team has the chops to continue work on an established character or an original story. It’s also a message to readers that their investment, both financial and emotional, is well-placed. I say all of this because Daredevil #2 is a well-crafted sophomore issue that expertly builds on the blockbuster work that Stephanie Phillips and Lee Garbett presented in the first issue.

While Matt Murdock is settling into his new career as a law professor, Daredevil is dealing with a mysterious new foe calling themselves Omen, who claims to see a future where Murdock is murdered. Not willing to take this lying down, the Man without Fear hits the streets to find out more about Omen…and stumbles deep into a twisted maze of danger. Things go from bad to worse when a pair of detectives investigate a series of grisly murders that involve all of the victims’ eyes being removed.

Though Omen doesn’t appear in the issue, his presence can be felt in the desperation driving Daredevil. The best Daredevil villains, whether they’re stalwarts like Kingpin and Bullseye or newcomers like Muse, often strike at both halves of Daredevil’s life. Omen fits that pattern thanks to his attack on Daredevil and his eerie proclamation about Murdock’s fate, and Phillips’ script dives into how that’s thrown the Man without Fear off his game. She also brings back some other figures from Matt Murdock’s life, whether they’re friends like Foggy Nelson (who has a surprising new status quo change) or old foes like the Owl.

I also love that Phillips continues to draw parallels between what’s going on in Daredevil’s life with Matt Murdock’s. During his latest class, Murdock raises the idea that fraud can invalidate a contract, specifically “misrepresentation of one’s identity.” The irony of him saying this while also leading a double life won’t be lost on fans. It also leads to the issue’s major reveal, which I didn’t see coming but is bound to make things even more complicated for Matt, in typical Daredevil fashion. And that’s not even getting into the cameo on the final pages.

Marvel

Garbett continues to deliver a blend of hard-hitting action throughout Daredevil #2, including the opening sequence where Daredevil crashes into one of the Owl’s warehouses. The Man Without Fear is a whirlwind of red, delivering brutal punches and kicks while also tossing his billy club into the faces of his opponents. I also love that Garbett makes sure to showcase Daredevil’s enhanced senses, whether it’s his radar sense delivering the outline of a foe or his enhanced hearing detecting someone lying. It makes the reader feel like they’re actually in Daredevil’s shoes.

Frank Martin’s color work tops off the issue, especially in its depiction of different shades of red. Daredevil’s crimson costume is a different shade than the blood he draws from his opponents, and Matt Murdock’s dark red glasses don’t hide his facial expressions. Even the Owl has copper-colored eyes that fit the bird of prey he names himself after, leading to a rather unsettling appearance. That same shade of red also permeates Ariana Maher’s captions, giving readers a look inside Daredevil’s inner thoughts.

Daredevil #2 delivers a surprisingly solid sophomore issue, as it further expands the web of mystery and menace surrounding Matt Murdock. We might be two issues in, but this creative team is clearly working hard to give fans a Daredevil story that actually feels fresh.

Source: Read original source

More from The Comic Stand: Explore more comic news, convention listings, artist features, collectibles, and collector resources from The Comic Stand. Comic News | Comic Cons | Comic Artists | Shop