Elektra #1 Review

[tsaimelemoni]

Brace yourselves for an Elektric review! HAHA fortunately the issue was much better than that joke.

Summary:
We learn that Arcade is running some underground Murderworld, targeting highrollers at a casino as financiers.

Elektra is laying low, which for her means drinking a lot and spending a lot of money (at the aforementioned Arcade-monitored casino, of course). She notices her bartender has been physically abused, but initially says nothing. After turning down a soft pitch by one of Arcade's goons RE the underground Murderworld, she finds her chatty bartender in the bathroom, badly beaten by the sleazy casino owner and business partner to Arcade. Elektra takes the woman back to her room, and then does what she does best: exact bloody justice through wonton murder.

Through his video surveillance network, Arcade and his crew (which includes Screwball, whom I am not familiar with) witness Elektra's justice, and realize it's her. The different outfit doesn't hide much when you use your signature weapons, and murder people just like a well known assassin does. Anyway, looks like Arcade wants Elektra as a new attraction for his Murderworld!

Thoughts:
First, it was initially very hard not to compare this to the start of the Blackman/Del Mundo run. That run just gelled in a way that this doesn't just yet. However, the writing is good, and the art is too. It's clean and crisp. Some may not like that Elektra's voice leans a little closer to the Netflix version, and that she drinks Mescal, but I liked it.

Elektra and the bartender could be fun in the future, it's interesting to see her take an interest in someone I kind of imagine she would overlook earlier in her career. And it was fun seeing her, in disguise, boozing it up.

And last thought, for now: the costume. After seeing it drawn by a few different artists, and throughout this issue,I like it. Yes it is simple and basic, but it works for now. The scarf actually enhances her eyes; her expression before the final kill of the issue was super intense, imo.

Overall, an interesting start. Super street level when compared to the last run, but I think it's needed. Elektra interacting with normal people, making her a little less silent and stoic. More approachable, for a violent murderess.

[scouse mouse]

This wasn't that bad actually. I'm going to have to compare it to the previous ongoing and say it's not as good. Del Mundo's art was off the scale compared to this book, but that doesn't mean that I think that the art is bad. It's just compared to Del Mundo most art is quite basic. Character wise they are definitely going more for the Netflix version of her, right down to her drinking Mescal. She is much more chatty compared to her usual comic self but still has her sense of mystery. I'm definitely sticking with it because I do think there is a lot of potential for the title and I'll always support an Elektra book. Though I still hate the Strider Hiryu/Kitana hybrid costume!

[bloodyarts]

I haven't read the issue yet, but I don't like the Strider outfit, either. Her skimpy red outfit didn't offer anything in the way of protection against assailants or the elements, so perhaps it was time for a change, but this is just generic and ugly. I don't mind the face mask since it's pretty ninja-y, but why did they have to do away with the headwrap, and put it around her waist? Yuck.

I don't buy Elektra as a super-hero. She should always be efficient-- with words and deeds, contain a level of mysticism (see: Elektra: Assassin), be capable of swift, merciless violence and yet still be capable of love, of being a woman. Ever since her first ongoing, it's been street-level superheroing, run-ins with Wolverine S.H.I.E.L.D. and Punisher (I actually liked her Punisher and Thunderbolts stints), and she's WAY too talkative. Not my Elektra. W. Haden Blackman and Del Mundo's Elektra was a return to form, but I guess people aren't interested in that Elektra anymore, especially since her Netflix Daredevil days.

The last series was just so good, and true to the original character as envisioned by Frank Miller, that any such departure seems... wrong.

[tsaimelemoni]

Outside of coming to the aid of an abuse/rape victim, she isn't exactly heroic here. I agree she was way too heroic in her first solo, though.

To me, she's a great blend between the Netflix version and the Miller version. While existing fans like her stoicism and silence, for many it makes her too much of a cipher to be interested in. Giving her a more overt personality while harking back to her early characterization is the best of both worlds, imo

[Huntsman Spider]

For those wanting to know more about Screwball, she's a parkour enthusiast who got into super-villainy just to get hits on her online streaming video channel and first debuted in the Brand New Day Spider-Man comics. Her last appearance before this that I'm aware of was in Superior Spider-Man #6, where she and Jester messed with Spider-Man (Otto Octavius's mind in Peter Parker's body) and got the living s*** beaten out of them for it, because Otto can't take a joke at his expense.

[Michael Watkins]

my favorite Elektra series was the post-Secret Invasion Dark Reign Elektra book. the art was nice. and it was fun to see her throw down with Bullseye/Hawkeye again.

[Aliltron]

I really enjoyed this issue. Yeah, like many, I was rolling my eyes when they changed her look to be more like her Netflix outfit, so I just assumed this would be just like her Netflix counterpart. While I love her classic look, I will say that it wouldn't have fit very well in this story so I don't mind the black outfit, and after awhile I got used to it. I think the fact that she still has the red scarf makes it good for me. The one thing I LOVED was the art. It's so clean and overall, just very visually pleasing. The colors were great as well. Story-wise, I think it's an interesting take for Elektra, placing her in Las Vegas against Arcade. I really enjoyed the issue and I'm looking forward to seeing what they have in store for her next!

[Tien Long]

Brace yourselves for an Elektric review! HAHA fortunately the issue was much better than that joke.

Thoughts:
First, it was initially very hard not to compare this to the start of the Blackman/Del Mundo run. That run just gelled in a way that this doesn't just yet. However, the writing is good, and the art is too. It's clean and crisp. Some may not like that Elektra's voice leans a little closer to the Netflix version, and that she drinks Mescal, but I liked it.

Elektra and the bartender could be fun in the future, it's interesting to see her take an interest in someone I kind of imagine she would overlook earlier in her career. And it was fun seeing her, in disguise, boozing it up.

I liked the interaction between the bartender and Elektra. Elektra noticing the signs of abuse was pretty cool as I thought it highlighted her observational skills.

In terms of action, I thought it was pretty dynamic. I really enjoyed her taking down the guards and that sleazy, female abuser creep.

Regarding the art, I've no complaints. It was a clean and dynamic style. The three panels towards the beginning of the series which highlighted key moments in Elektra's life were pretty cool. I liked how they were all done in a style reminiscent of past Elektra artists.

And last thought, for now: the costume. After seeing it drawn by a few different artists, and throughout this issue,I like it. Yes it is simple and basic, but it works for now. The scarf actually enhances her eyes; her expression before the final kill of the issue was super intense, imo.

Overall, an interesting start. Super street level when compared to the last run, but I think it's needed. Elektra interacting with normal people, making her a little less silent and stoic. More approachable, for a violent murderess.

I definitely dig the new costume. In respectful disagreement to other posters, I think that the Strider Hiryu look is a stylish and welcome update. It reminds me of the cool, frenetic action of a Ninja Gaiden. While I respect the past, Elektra's previous head scarf reminded me of a pirate for some reason. So, I'm all for this look.

For those wanting to know more about Screwball, she's a parkour enthusiast who got into super-villainy just to get hits on her online streaming video channel and first debuted in the Brand New Day Spider-Man comics. Her last appearance before this that I'm aware of was in Superior Spider-Man #6, where she and Jester messed with Spider-Man (Otto Octavius's mind in Peter Parker's body) and got the living s*** beaten out of them for it, because Otto can't take a joke at his expense.

Great to see I wasn't the only one to notice Screwball!

[TerminalSanity]

Going to be honest it was really hard for me to get past the actively lazy uninspired generic shinobi costume. They didn't even try to make it distinctive kill it with fire along with the DOA Scarlet Spider-costume. Yeesh I mean come on really they couldn't even give her, her trademark bandana and make the upper portion the costume red? Come on I have no issue with putting pants on the character but when you make these more "practical" costume could you know you at least make them distinctive ant not like a blander generic version of another character's costume?. Any who after that bit of venting the book itself was Ehhh.... Not bad but nothing to write home about we'll where it goes from here. but the sooner they ditch the costume the better.

[Wiccan]

I don't have a problem with her costume, but I wish they had based the overall look more on her second Netflix outfit than the first, not a fan of the ponytail. Also, the bruises aren't really well drawn. At first I thought she had some purple spray or something like that.

[vitaminbee]

Not a bad first issue at all. Thought it was fun read and the art wasn't bad. I still don't like the coloring for the issue though. Everything is so bright and flat. I'm definitely looking forward to the next issue.

[regg215]

I thought this was a great debut issue. While it is obvious they are going with a version of elektra that is closer to the Netflix series, this struck a good enough balance between the two for me. I thought the art was great and having Elektra come off as somewhat heroic without compromising how she should be was great. Overall between this, Bullseye and the Kingin book marvel is doing a great job with the daredevil line in my opinion. Hopefully sales for elektra will be enough for it to maintain this book for at least 1-2 years.

[Londo Bellian]

And last thought, for now: the costume. After seeing it drawn by a few different artists, and throughout this issue,I like it. Yes it is simple and basic, but it works for now. The scarf actually enhances her eyes; her expression before the final kill of the issue was super intense, imo.

I told everybody, I told everybody, after seeing JSC's variant comparing classic red to Netflix-inspired; covering Elektra's mouth makes the eyes stand out more, like The Shadow.

[Angrel-San]

Well, I liked the Strider Style for Elektra.

Elektra had a good run with her bandanna and red. Let her roll around Strider style.

Is different for her but in the world of ninjas, Strider Hiryu is a popular one and Elektra mixing it up like him a bit ain't bad at all.

She still has her trademark sais, shurikens and badassery so is still Elektra Natchios.

And I agree, I like the settings and that her first major enemy is going to be Arcade.

Definitely excited for this new chapter in Elektra's life.

[theoneandonly]

the look kind of reminds me of storm shadow.