Hell’s Kitchen is getting a major facelift this April, and it looks like Matt Murdock is trading the courtroom for the classroom. Marvel has released a first look at Daredevil #1 (2026), ushering in a brand-new era led by writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Lee Garbett.
Check out the lettered preview for the DAREDEVIL #1 below!
A New Day in the Classroom
In this upcoming run, Matt Murdock is navigating a fresh status quo as a law professor. While he’s a pro at jumping off rooftops, Phillips notes that managing a syllabus might be his toughest mission yet.
“Our Daredevil is very confident in his abilities as Daredevil. He’s a seasoned vigilante pro. But the classroom offers a challenge that pushes Matt Murdock completely out of his comfort zone. This isn’t just about knowing the law, but dealing with a group of students younger than him who approach the law in different ways than Matt might.”
Phillips even jokes about the struggle of the “9-to-5” life for a vigilante, saying, “It’s maybe day 2 of teaching that Matt is already trying to call in a favor to find a substitute teacher.”
Enter Omen: A Villain Born of Noir and Horror
Every new era needs a big bad, and Daredevil #1 introduces Omen, a mysterious figure who seems more interested in Matt Murdock the man than Daredevil the hero. Phillips describes the villain as a mix of Gothic literature and Greek tragedy.
“Omen brings the combination of noir and horror to Hell’s Kitchen to oppose Daredevil… or Matt, actually. Omen shows up looking for Matt Murdock but finds Daredevil. While Daredevil tries to contend physically with Omen, part of the mystery is how Matt Murdock is so tangled in Omen’s web.”
A Dream Team Collaboration
The creative energy behind this book sounds personal. Phillips and Garbett actually discussed working on Daredevil long before it became a reality.
“Lee and I approach the book as an opportunity to create something truly shared… We’re in Hell’s Kitchen together, pushing one another to create something purposeful and intense for our favorite devil. I’ll send Lee ideas, he’ll send back visual concepts that will help shape the story, and vice versa.”
Whether you’re a long-time “Hornhead” fan or a total newcomer, this looks like a perfect jumping-on point that respects the past while building something entirely fresh.
DAREDEVIL #1 hits comic shops on April 1, 2026.
