If you're not reading Marvel's new Elektra run, you need to fix that, ASAP.
Elektra hasn't been given her fair share of comic time. Her first run from 1996-1998 had a mere 19 issues, and the second, from 2001-2004, had only 35. However, along with Marvel's initiative All-New titles, writer Blackman is trying to give her another shot at life. Teamed up with famed artist Del Mundo and, starting on issue #6, relative newbie Alex Sanchez (more well known for his work on DC's Katana), Blackman wields a story that pierces straight to what makes Elektra such a complex, engaging character.
Though the artistry is always beautiful (especially with Del Mundo), the plot, especially in the first few issues, is hit or miss. Despite this and many plot holes that are glazed over for the sake of kinetics of the story, Del Mundo's art carries the comic so breathtakingly that most holes aren't understood until a second reading. His pages mix watercolor and ink, and tell the story of Elektra's past in a way that surpasses even Blackman's words. He draws Elektra as appropriately strong, versatile, and elegant; it seems, on many pages, that she is more dancer than assassin, despite her impressive body count.
After a few issues, Blackman's writing has finally found its footing, and with the re-introduction of Elektra's long-time nemesis Lady Bullseye, another female character worthy of delving into, it seems to have finally gained traction and a speed that makes readers look forward to the next week.
This week's issue begins with Lady Bullseye, brought from the brink of death by an attack on cannibalistic murderer Bloody Lips, turned into a synthetic amalgamation of a killer by the Assassin's Guild own Mengele-esque doctors. This has momentarily given her the ability of intangibility, at the cost of her own life -- she'll live long enough to kill Elektra, and then wither away. Though not quite to the level of painting-artistry as Del Mundo, Sanchez draws out the fight between Elektra and the ghostly Lady Bullseye beautifully and succinctly, climaxing in a brilliant move by Elektra that shows her tactical intelligence.
After defeating Lady Bullseye (perhaps for good -- though, as Marvel fans have learned, Lady Bullseye tends not to stay dead for long), Elektra uses the defeated assassin Sidewinder to search out the Assassin's Guild and enact her revenge, so that they stop hunting down her and Cape Crow's family, the impetus to the entire series. After a battle with more fabricated warriors such as Whiplash and Tiger Shark, Elektra finally gets to speak with delegates of the Assassin's Guild, who promise to never stop hunting her down unless she defects, and joins them once more.
In relatiation, she promises to hunt down the leaders of the Assassin's Guild, the illusive Guildmaster. After some prying, she learns that one of the only people who know the location of the Guildmaster is Lady Bullseye's own idol -- Bullseye himself. After Daredevil v3 #26, Bullseye was left immobile in an Iron Lung and sightless from poisonous chemicals, and left in SHIELD's cells.
One can only hope that, with tracking down Bullseye to set her sights on the Assassin's Guild, Elektra will also run into her long-time lover Daredevil.
If you liked this review, stick around for next Tuesday where I'll be reviewing the ever-badass Storm!
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