Daredevil #5 Review – Omen’s Lackluster End

Daredevil #5 (Marvel, 8/19/26): Writer Stephanie Phillips & Artist Lee Garbett bring Daredevil’s conflict with Omen to a close when their paths converge on the next target – Foggy Nelson. Solid art and a clean resolution can’t mask silly plot holes. Verdict: For desperate Daredevil fans only.

• Writer: Stephanie Phillips
• Artist: Lee Garbett
• Colorist: Frank Martin
• Letterer: Ariana Maher
• Cover Artist: Lee Garbett (cover A)
• Publisher: Marvel Comics
• Release Date: August 19, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 26
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Daredevil #5:

First Impressions:

After the horrendous storytelling in Daredevil #4, I was expecting more of the same. To Stephanie Phillips’s credit, Daredevil #5 isn’t as bad, but it’s still well below what a reader should expect for a $4.99 floppy.

Recap:

In Daredevil #4, a serial killer who removes the eyes from his victims is terrorizing the people of New York, but they’re not after Daredevil – they’re after Matt Murdock! Daredevil utilized a strategically placed Daily Bugle ad to lure the murderer – dubbed Omen – to the docks for a confrontation. After seeing Omen’s true face, the villain nearly strangled Daredevil to death until the Owl made a violent arrival, shooting Omen and unexpectedly saving Daredevil for his own mysterious reasons. Meanwhile, Detective Dominic Forte and Officer Marc Callahan investigated Omen’s hideout but were ambushed by the killer, who harvested Callahan’s eyes! Now… who is Omen’s next victim?

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

Foggy Nelson’s plan lands in NYC, and he’s concerned that Matt Murdock forgot to meet him. Meanwhile, Daredevil arrives at the crime scene from the end of the previous issue to speak with Detective Forte, who isn’t taking his partner’s death very well. Forte explains that Omen’s “hideout” contains volumes of information about the life and associates of Matt Murdock, signaling to Daredevil that Foggy might be the next target.

Daredevil races off and catches Omen in Foggy’s apartment. Mid-fight, Daredevil backs off when Omen confirms he knows that Daredevil is Matt Murdock. Suddenly, Det. Forte barges in and shoots Omen dead. When Foggy arrives at the grisly scene, he and Daredevil have a private chat. The issue ends with someone stealing Omen’s body from the ambulance.

How is the story in Daredevil #5?

Again, Daredevil #5 is better than Daredevil #4, but that’s quite the low bar to jump. Stephanie Phillips takes either the easy route or the lazy route to tie up Omen’s reign of terror in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. For example…

How did Daredevil and Det. Forte both conclude that Foggy was the next target? Daredevil has a plethora of close associates, so any one of them could have been next. When Omen reveals he knows Daredevil’s identity, why did Daredevil suddenly stop fighting as if he were stymied into indecision? Yes, there’s a vague explanation that Omen can disrupt senses, but what does that mean, and why did Omen not disrupt Daredevil before he got beat to a pulp? How was Det. Forte able to gun down Omen dead when Owl did the exact same thing in the previous issue without effect? Is Omen bulletproof or not?

The questions go on and on. The net result is a script that was written with as much thought and care as a rough draft written with pencil in a spiral notebook. If Phillips is using the “Marvel Method” of storytelling, it’s not working.

How is the art in Daredevil #5?

The art is fine. When Lee Garbett shows Daredevil swinging into action, he uses interesting camera angles, dramatic silhouettes, and powerful impact to get motion and energy to pop on the page. Frank Martin could serve the series better by using a less muted color palette, but the visuals are the highlight of the script.

Characters

It’s a tough call to say who is the main character, and that’s a problem in a Daredevil comic. Yes, sure, Daredevil takes up most of the page space, but if you look at who bears the emotional weight, pulls himself back from the lowest point, and saves the day, it’s Detective Forte. He’s shaken by his partner’s death and his inability to stop it. He then uses that feeling of failure to motivate him into action.

Originality & Concept Execution

A creepy serial killer gunned down before he claims another victim is the general gist of this issue and arc. There’s not much to point to that’s “original.” That said, the theft of Omen’s body portends interesting possibilities.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Solid art and action
• Det. Forte’s emotional journey
• Omen’s reign is tied up in a tidy package

Room for Improvement

• The plot holes and inconsistencies are gigantic
• Daredevil is secondary to Det. Forte in resolution
• Omen’s power is (was?) unclear

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 1/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 0.5/2

Final Thoughts:

(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)

Daredevil #5 ends Omen’s reign of terror at the feet of his latest victim. Stephanie Phillips’s script improves on the previous issue, but not by much. Thankfully, the art team’s visuals save the issue from oblivion. Wait for the trade.

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