Daredevil has made a triumphant return with his new series on Disney+, and it’s the ideal moment to reintroduce Elektra in a meaningful way. Comic fans immersed in Daredevil: Born Again will definitely want to explore Elektra’s standout storyline from the comic books, a narrative that solidified her status among Marvel’s elite anti-heroes.
Crafted by the talented duo of Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz, Elektra: Assassin is an eight-issue miniseries published under Epic Comics, the division of Marvel that focuses on more sophisticated and mature narratives.
This riveting series highlights Elektra’s tumultuous journey as she battles the deadly ninja clan known as the Hand. Her mission: to thwart their plot to manipulate a presidential election, which could lead to global nuclear devastation.
Elektra: Assassin: A Bold New Direction for 1980s Comics
A Must-Read for Daredevil: Born Again Enthusiasts
First introduced in Daredevil #168, Elektra was created by Frank Miller, whose groundbreaking work transformed American comics. Originally, her fate seemed sealed after her tragic end in Daredevil #181, but Miller’s fondness for Elektra paved the way for her striking comeback in her own series.
During the creation of Elektra: Assassin, Bill Sienkiewicz’s assistant, Amanda Conner, was the aesthetic inspiration for Elektra, showcasing the collaborative nature of this iconic project.
This remarkable miniseries was released concurrently with Miller’s legendary works on The Dark Knight Returns and the “Born Again” storyline in Daredevil. Partnering with Miller was Sienkiewicz, an avant-garde artist who had begun to make waves through his distinctive style in New Mutants. His previously unorthodox approach involved mixed-media elements, and Elektra: Assassin marked his first fully-painted endeavor, making it visually exceptional.
Elektra: An Assassin Targeting a Possessed Presidential Candidate
Creative Giants in Their Prime
In Elektra: Assassin, readers find Elektra in a South American mental institution, grappling with fragmented memories. As she pieces together her past, she uncovers a sinister plot involving the Beast, a demonic entity guiding the Hand. The Beast manipulates presidential hopeful Ken Wind, who becomes a puppet for their apocalyptic agenda.
Elektra, refusing to stand idly by, enacts her plan to thwart the Beast’s evil ambitions. She skillfully recruits SHIELD agent John Garrett using psychic persuasion techniques learned during her time with the Hand. As it turns out, Garrett is a cyborg agent, a product of SHIELD’s shady ExTechOp program that employs criminals as operatives enhanced with cybernetics. Together, Elektra and Garrett navigate a treacherous path, battling SHIELD, the Hand, and anyone who threatens their mission to eliminate Wind before he can unleash devastation.
Elektra: Assassin’s Satirical Narrative of the 1980s
Miller’s Satirical Lens on Current Affairs
The brilliance of Elektra: Assassin lies in its bold, transgressive narrative style. Sienkiewicz’s painted illustrations transformed the comic landscape by introducing vibrant color into an otherwise monochromatic reality. His artwork intertwines influences from Gustav Klimt, Jack Kirby, and Chuck Jones, resulting in a visually stunning experience that is both experimental and phenomenal. Notably, Sienkiewicz often depicts the same smiling photo of candidate Ken Wind whenever he appears, underscoring the layers of satire within the narrative.
Over the years, Elektra has graced the screen in various adaptations, portrayed by Jennifer Garner in Daredevil (2003), Elektra (2005), and last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine, as well as by Élodie Yung in the previous Daredevil series and The Defenders. John Garrett, too, made an appearance in Agents of SHIELD, played by the late Bill Paxton.
Miller and Sienkiewicz employ a fearless approach to satire that leaves no stone unturned. Their narrative serves as a reflection of bureaucratic absurdities, with characters frequently caught in the tangled web of failing systems. For instance, Nick Fury remains oblivious to the fact that ExTechOps has been clandestinely enlisting violent ex-criminals as agents.
With Daredevil: Born Again Now Streaming Successfully, Is Elektra: Assassin on the Horizon?
Time for Marvel to Adapt This Narrative for the Big Screen
Given Elektra’s cinematic history, it’s surprising that none of her portrayals have embraced the gripping storyline of Elektra: Assassin. After the triumphant reception of Daredevil: Born Again, a cinematic adaptation of Miller and Sienkiewicz’s legend would be an exciting next step, ideally featuring either Jennifer Garner or Élodie Yung reprising their roles. While capturing the raw intensity of Sienkiewicz’s illustrations in live-action poses a challenge, it would be an intriguing endeavor for Disney. Regardless, fans of Daredevil: Born Again have the eternal treasure of the Elektra: Assassin comic to enjoy.
Elektra: Assassin is currently available for purchase from Marvel Comics.