Marvel's Daredevil Gets a Fresh New Comic Run — And the Owl's Redesign Is Genuinely Creepy
Marvel fans who love their Daredevil comics have a lot to be excited about right now. A brand-new Daredevil comic run just launched, and issue #2 has already dropped one of the most talked-about character reveals in recent memory: a redesigned version of classic villain Leland Owlsley, aka the Owl — complete with blood-red eyes that are equal parts unsettling and visually stunning.
The timing couldn't be better. Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 recently wrapped on Disney+, meaning both comic readers and TV fans are hungry for more of the Man Without Fear. The new comic run by writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Lee Garbett is stepping up to deliver exactly that — and the Daredevil Owl villain redesign is just the beginning.
What Is This New Daredevil Comic Run?
The new run launched last month with Daredevil #1, which is also the legacy issue #688. It kicked off a fresh story chapter for Matt Murdock while keeping the character's core identity intact.
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Writer | Stephanie Phillips |
| Artist | Lee Garbett |
| Issue #1 (Legacy) | #688 |
| Issue #2 Out Now | Yes |
| Setting | Hell's Kitchen, New York / Empire State University |
| Matt Murdock's New Status | Law professor at Empire State University |
The run is described as both a jumping-on point for new readers and a rewarding continuation for longtime fans. Matt Murdock is navigating a new chapter — new job, new bar, new identity as a masked hero — while the streets of Hell's Kitchen are as dangerous as ever.
One of the most refreshing creative choices? A significant portion of the story's tension comes from Matt's law professor life at Empire State University, not just from his nightly patrols as Daredevil.
The Owl Redesign in Daredevil #2: What Changed?
Leland Owlsley — one of Daredevil's earliest and most enduring villains — makes an appearance in issue #2, and he looks different. Not radically so, but the changes are deliberate and effective.
What's New About the Owl's Look
- Blood-red, beady eyes that match his hair color — the most striking change
- Eyebrows that stretch indistinguishably into his hairline, giving him a more alien appearance
- A moustache connecting his mutton chops, adding a Victorian-sinister flair
- His signature pointy, Wolverine-esque hair remains intact
- He's wearing an ordinary fur-lined coat, keeping his look relatively understated outside of the disturbing eyes
The red eyes are the standout element. They pair brilliantly with Daredevil's iconic crimson color scheme and the book's overall visual identity. When Owl appears on the page, those eyes soak the panels in red — a subtle but smart artistic choice from Lee Garbett.
Why the Owl Matters in This Story
In issue #2, Daredevil tracks down Owlsley not as a primary antagonist, but as an information source. The book acknowledges the character's history directly through Matt's internal monologue — noting that when it comes to everything "corrupt, illegal and sinister" in New York City, Owl is unmatched as a source.
Daredevil reflects on Owlsley as a sense of familiarity in an otherwise unfamiliar new chapter of his life. It's a poignant detail that writer Stephanie Phillips uses smartly — the Owl cameo serves a thematic purpose, not just a plot one.
Who Is the Owl? A Quick Origin for New Readers
For those new to Daredevil's rogues' gallery, here's the fast version:
Leland Owlsley first appeared in Daredevil #3 back in 1964. He's a financier and crime boss who gained the ability to glide and has an owl-like appearance — hence the name. Over the decades, he's evolved from a straightforward mob villain to a more complex underworld figure.
Unlike major villains like Kingpin or Bullseye, the Owl often operates in the background of Hell's Kitchen's criminal ecosystem — which is exactly how he's being used here. He's not the main threat, but he's a reliable fixture in Daredevil's world.
Owl in Other Media
- Netflix Daredevil (Season 1): The Owl appeared in a brief but memorable arc, played by Bob Gunton, ultimately meeting a gruesome end at the hands of the Kingpin
- Daredevil: Born Again: Has not appeared in the Disney+ series as of Season 2
- Marvel Comics: Has remained a recurring figure across multiple eras of Daredevil
The Bigger Picture: New Villain Omen and the Spider-Man Team-Up
While the Owl gets his redesign moment, the new run is building toward something larger. Omen is the main new villain being introduced — a mysterious figure whose debut in issue #1 has already created significant buzz among comic readers.
Daredevil #2 also teases a Spider-Man and Daredevil team-up coming in issue #3. Spider-Man appears at the end of issue #2, laying the groundwork for what looks like a classic street-level Marvel crossover.
What's Coming in Daredevil #3
- Full Spider-Man and Daredevil team-up
- More development on the Omen villain arc
- Continued exploration of Matt's life as a law professor
- Potential deeper dive into his budding relationship with colleague Sari Ellison
How Does This Connect to Daredevil: Born Again?
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 on Disney+ recently wrapped, and Marvel is clearly capitalizing on the timing. The new comic run launched while the show's second season was airing — giving fans on both sides of the medium something to engage with simultaneously.
The comic run and the show are separate continuities, but they're thematically aligned. Both center on Matt Murdock navigating his dual life while Hell's Kitchen burns around him. For American readers who discovered Daredevil through the Netflix or Disney+ shows, this new comic run is an ideal next step.
Why This Daredevil Run Is Worth Reading Right Now
- Perfect jumping-on point — issue #1 reintroduces all the key players
- Fresh villain in Omen, plus familiar faces like the Owl
- Strong creative team — Stephanie Phillips brings sharp character writing; Lee Garbett's art is clean and expressive
- Timely release — dropping alongside Born Again Season 2 means maximum fan engagement
- New status quo — Matt as a law professor adds a fresh dimension to his character
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is the Owl in Daredevil comics? A: The Owl is Leland Owlsley, a crime boss and one of Daredevil's oldest villains, first appearing in 1964. He serves as an underworld information broker and occasional antagonist in Hell's Kitchen.
Q: What changed in the Owl's redesign in Daredevil #2? A: The most notable change is his new blood-red eyes that match his hair color, plus eyebrows that blend into his hairline and a moustache connecting his sideburns. His overall silhouette remains recognizable.
Q: Who is writing the new Daredevil comic run? A: The new run is written by Stephanie Phillips with art by Lee Garbett. It launched with issue #1 (legacy #688).
Q: What is the new villain Omen in Daredevil? A: Omen is a newly introduced mysterious villain debuted in the Phillips/Garbett run. Details about the character are still unfolding, but Omen is the primary antagonist driving the new arc.
Q: Is this Daredevil comic connected to Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+? A: They are separate continuities — the comic and the TV series exist independently — but both are releasing simultaneously, making it a great time to follow both.
Q: When did the new Daredevil comic run start? A: The new run launched last month with issue #1 (legacy #688), with issue #2 now available.
Q: Will Spider-Man appear in the new Daredevil comic? A: Yes — Spider-Man appears at the end of issue #2, with a full Daredevil and Spider-Man team-up expected in issue #3.
Final Thoughts
The Daredevil Owl villain redesign in issue #2 is a small but meaningful update to one of Marvel's most enduring street-level criminals. Those blood-red eyes add a layer of visual menace that fits perfectly in Stephanie Phillips and Lee Garbett's gritty, emotionally grounded take on Matt Murdock's world.
Whether you're a longtime Daredevil reader or someone who found the Man Without Fear through Netflix or Born Again, now is genuinely one of the best times to pick up a Daredevil comic. Issue #3 brings Spider-Man into the mix, the mystery of Omen is deepening, and the Owl is lurking in the shadows — red eyes and all.
External Authority Links:
- Marvel Comics official site — for the official comic run
- Wikipedia – Leland Owlsley — villain background
- Rotten Tomatoes – Daredevil: Born Again — TV show context
- Marvel Entertainment on YouTube — trailers and previews
- Comic Book Resources (CBR) — issue reviews and analysis