REVIEW: ‘Daredevil’ Issue 3 (2026)

Daredevil Issue 3 (2026) is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Stephanie Phillips, art by Lee Garbett, colors by Frank Martin and letters by Ariana Maher.

In this issue, Spider-Man rescues Daredevil from certain death and tries to train him to hone his senses. Taking place immediately after the previous chapter, Daredevil Issue 3 tries to calm down for a minute. Daredevil is frantic and struggling, submerged in his own senses. It’s disconcerting to see, especially for a man who is so in control of his hypersensitive powers.

For the first half of Daredevil Issue 3, Spider-Man and Daredevil spend time together, and that’s always brilliant to see. It doesn’t go the way that was expected, with Spider-Man being the one who is consoling and helping Daredevil. Murdock has often been presented as older than Parker, and so the councillor usually, well, counsels Peter.

But this time, Spider-Man has to train Daredevil, which makes a lot of sense considering the history of each character. But then Phillips returns to the story at hand, with an eye-removing serial killer on the loose with a vendetta against Matt Murdock, not Daredevil. The thriller aspects of the comic are interesting too.

The dark tone feels very true to the world of Daredevil, but there is something mysterious about the villain that feels new. There’s a strange, almost mystical aspect, although that could just be how he presents himself. The final pages of Daredevil Issue 3 see the pace explode, using Spider-Man’s training in a fantastic callback to the start of the issue.

The characters and the dialogue within Daredevil Issue 3 are exceptional. The friendship between Spider-Man and Daredevil is such a distinct and powerful one. They don’t judge when they get together; they work on a solution. Spider-Man knows about the senses going haywire and actually works as a fantastic calming influence on Daredevil. Peter can be funny and chaotic, but he knows when to be a teacher and guide.

When Matt returns to the university, he is much calmer and more composed. This is important because it’s the first time the two police characters have come to visit. Detective Forte and Officer Callahan are leading the case of the serial killer. The narration is brilliant because Daredevil’s acute senses can provide more context on the personalities and demeanor of the other characters. He can pick up so much about them that it creates a more rounded picture of the figure.

The art is phenomenal. The Daredevil in the previous chapter was sacruffy, something of a mess after his defenestration ordeal. Sitting with Spider-Man allows him to tidy himself up, becoming the more composed Daredevil we know. The trailing bandage around his wrist is tucked in, becoming a tighter silhouette. There are still exquisite details in Daredevil Issue 3, however. There are scratches and cuts on Matt’s skin that are signs of the painful days he’s had.

The flow of the first movement is terrific as Spider-Man and Daredevil traverse the rooftops of Hell’s Kitchen. We see how natural it is for them to move, to flip and swing through the city after doing it for so long. This is contrasted with the final fight. It’s in tight quarters and much more dangerous and intense. The close-ups show each hit, with Daredevil trying to hone in on the villain’s particular movements.

The colors are tremendous. The red that is displayed is gorgeously rich. The backgrounds are almost all natural and dark, ranging from back alleys to offices that haven’t been decorated at all. But Daredevil’s bright red costume stands out on every occasion. As does Spider-Man’s costume, which helps present the duo as kindred spirits. Spider-Man’s red is even brighter than Daredevil’s.

The lettering is crucial to the comic’s storytelling, particularly the SFX. The villain can overwhelm Daredevil’s senses. And the large sound effects emanating from his noises convey that superbly.

Daredevil Issue 3 starts to reclaim control. Daredevil has been so out of sorts for the first two issues, with the new villain completely taking him by surprise and getting in his head. It takes one of his oldest friends to bring back that confidence and swagger. He is the Man Without Fear, yet has looked frightened for some time. The team-up with Spidey is more than just a guest star; it has a genuine impact on the character’s arc and the story as a whole, helping Daredevil get back on his feet.

Daredevil Issue 3 (2026) is available where comics are sold.