Interview: Stephanie Phillips on Bringing Horror Noir to Daredevil
Darker tones await Professor Matt Murdock/Marvel’s Man Without Fear.
There’s been a buzz building around Marvel’s upcoming Daredevil #1. The kind that starts in conversation and then spreads through group chats and comic book stores before hitting the wider comics world. Early word is that the new series is great and landing exactly where it needs to be.
That momentum follows Stephanie Phillips, a writer who has quickly become one of the most versatile voices in modern comics. Her recent Marvel work on Spider-Gwen and Planet She-Hulk, along with a growing list of creator-owned projects such as Grim and Endeavour, has shown her ability to blend superhero stories with elements of pulp, crime, and horror.
Now Phillips is stepping into one of Marvel’s most iconic roles with a new run on Daredevil. Working with artist Lee Garbett (Doctor Strange, Detective Comics) and colorist Frank Martin (Absolute Batman), the series returns Matt Murdock to his noir foundations that defined the character, while introducing a darker horror tone to Hell’s Kitchen.
At the same time, Matt will face a major shift in his personal life as he takes on a new role as an adjunct law professor, just as a mysterious villain named Omen enters the picture.
With anticipation building around Daredevil #1, The DeMonster spoke with Phillips about bringing noir back to Hell’s Kitchen, working with Garbett, and what lies ahead for the Man Without Fear.
This interview was edited for clarity. Preview the pages below.
So, I’ve seen a lot of buzz going around comics town for Daredevil #1. Word from the Underground is that everyone seems to love the first issue. Can you tell us why folks should check out this brand-new run on Daredevil?
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: This run goes back to Daredevil’s core and what makes him one of my favorite characters. It taps into noir and horror elements, while also watching Daredevil try to do good for a city that never stops testing him. We’re pushing Matt into new situations, like his new job as an adjunct law professor, and seeing how these situations will conflict with his faith, morality, and sense of justice. But if you want to know the biggest reason why readers should check this book out… it’s Lee Garbett on art with Frank Martin on colors. They are an absolutely brilliant combination, bringing grit and charisma to every single panel of the book.
I have to say, as a fan of your runs on Spider-Gwen (one of my favorite characters in Marvel) and Planet She-Hulk, I need to know–how are you this good?! What has your experience been like at The House of Ideas these past few years?
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: Well, I think it’s safe to say I enjoy working at Marvel since I seem to be doing a lot of it. I think they have a really great list of characters, and the support they have for creators is evident by the opportunities I’ve had, like Daredevil.
Hell yeah. Now, everyone has a unique take on Daredevil. Whether it’s the classics like Frank Miller’s or Anne Nocenti’s runs, or more modern tales like Chip Zdarsky’s, there’s always something distinct to each writer’s journey with The Man without Fear. What are you bringing to Daredevil that’s familiar? Similarly, what are you bringing about that feels different?
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: There’s definitely familiarity since Lee and I are huge Daredevil fans. We’re playing with the elements of the character we really love while also bringing in new characters and new situations for Daredevil to deal with. And, of course, we will be starting off our run with a new villain named Omen, and I think he poses a really interesting and different threat for Daredevil. We want our run to have a really nice balance of new and classic.
Speaking of new, Matt Murdock’s job is as an… adjunct law professor. Where’d this come from, and how will being a teacher play into the story?
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: I was a college professor for a long time, so that really gave me the idea of putting Matt into a classroom. He’s been so many things in his career, and it seems a really natural progression to put him in a classroom so that he has a new environment but can keep utilizing his law degree. Working at the university will also give Matt a lot of new characters to interact with.
I saw in previous interviews that you and Lee Garbett have talked about your collaborations on getting the book. Can you give an example of what working together is like? Any back-and-forth exchanges?
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: The entire creative process is very back-and-forth and we discuss the story together a lot. We’ve really built this story together, and I couldn’t ask for a better collaborator than Lee!
Neato. So, you have a badass new character created just for this series with Omen. Can you tell us more about him? I read in your Marvel interview that he’s based on Gothic Literature and Greek tragedy.
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: Omen is going to prove a real challenge for Matt and bring an element of horror to Hell’s Kitchen. 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. He’s got an amazing design from Lee and I can’t wait for readers to see him in action.
True Believers Blind Bags are Marvel’s second attempt at doing it. Any thoughts on the Blind Bag program and why fans should try them, as it definitely fits better with Daredevil thematically than it did with the Endgame bags?
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: I’m really excited about what’s inside the blind bags! I’ve seen a lot of hidden art that’s been placed in those bags, and I will be very jealous of anyone finding it! I don’t usually get any variants for books I write, but we’ll see if I can pick up a few of them myself.
I see you have four issues planned, with more in the pipeline. Can you break anything down for us regarding what you’re excited about or what’s to come? Ideally, how long would you like this run to go for?
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: We actually have lots more than 4 issues planned! We already know what will be happening down the road in legacy issue #700, which is our issue #13, I believe. So, we have a long road planned, lots approved and written already, and we hope to have many more issues beyond that as well.
Soo… I saw in an interview that you’ve got a mysterious character you’re reintroducing into the Daredevil Lore? If not a reveal. Can you maybe give a hint at who this is? 🙂
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: Unfortunately, no! It will be a surprise later on for readers!
Finally, your run will be leaning more into old-fashioned Daredevil noir. What does that mean for us readers, for what’s in store?
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS: We’re really leaning into moral ambiguity and the idea that every choice Daredevil makes will have a cost, even when he’s trying to do the right thing. Readers can expect a lot of mystery, violence, and a city that keeps changing right underneath Matt’s feet.