Daredevil #6 is written by Stephanie Phillips and published by Marvel Comics. Artwork by Flaviano. Colours by Rico Renzi, and Letters by VC’s Ariana Maher. Main cover art (left) is by Lee Garbett.
Daredevil #6 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
OF MOLES AND OWLS STARTS HERE! The dust may be settling after Daredevil’s climactic collision with Omen, but they don’t call New York the “City That Never Sleeps” for nothing! Just when he could use a break, DAREDEVIL is going to find himself caught in the crossfire as New York’s criminal element threaten to tear each other and the entire city apart in this new story arc in Marvel’s smash hit of the spring from scribe STEPHANIE PHILLIPS and special guest artist FLAVIANO!
Review
Stephanie Phillips’s new run on Daredevil is an explosive return to form after a bit of a lull. Phillips has brought back the noir grit the character has lacked for several years. It is a breath of fresh air for the Man Without Fear! No doubt certainly aided by Daredevil Born Again season 2’s success on Disney+
Phillips has also done something new with old red! Matt Murdock has swapped the courtroom for the classroom. He now lectures at Empire State University, working as an adjunct law professor. Professor Murdock is intriguing. I hope Phillips delves into the university politics as the series progresses. So far, she has only scratched the surface. But there are several intriguing new characters introduced.
Tech-typhoon Harlan Vale has weeded his way into E.S.U., offering students free laptops and scholarships. But what is his endgame? A bright student regularly challenges Matt. And there’s a potential will they won’t they with his colleague, Sari Ellison.
After the darkly twisted five-issue Omen arc, issue #6, “Of Moles and Owls,” takes a step back from the horror side and swings horns first into gangsterland. The Owl takes a hostage in order to lure Daredevil out. New York is a pressure cooker as the gangs prepare for war! They are desperate to get their hands on a book of Wilson Fisk’s that supposedly outlines his entire organisation but also contains the identities of masked vigilantes.
Going back to the Bendis era onwards, anyone who has followed Daredevil knows how precious his secret identity is. And if Daredevil wants to get that book, he’s going to have to contend with Hammerhead, Silvermane, Tombstone and more.
Phillips’ script snaps along well, and it handles the character dynamics nicely. However, it feels front-loaded with set up for storylines beyond the two-part arc. For a short storyline like this, the story’s real estate could have been used to better connect to Matt’s newly found university life rather than feel so separate.
That said, this is a minor quibble about what is another strong issue that ends on an electric cliffhanger with Elektra’s return!
But the story isn’t the only thing that’s well done. The art is too. Lee Garbett brilliantly illustrated the first 5 issues. However, this issue has Flaviano as the guest artist. While Flaviano brings their dynamic style to the story, the art doesn’t try to be drastically different from Garbett’s, which keeps the visual consistency from one issue to the next. Additionally, Rico Reniz’s colours are some of my favourites over the last 6 issues. The delicious neon pinks and purples clash against the reds and pastels. It’s a visual style I would love to see more of throughout this series.
Verdict
Phillips continues to fire on all cylinders, with a pacy, action-packed story that still makes time for deeper character moments. Guest artist Flaviano and colourist Rico Renzi bring a distinct visual style and vivid colour palette that explodes with neons and pastels. Daredevil #6 “Of Moles and Owls” kicks off an exciting two-issue arc that you won’t want to miss.
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