Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #209714 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Synopsis
Columbia University freshman Elektra Natchios befriends blind pre-law student Matt Murdoch, but before their love can grow, malicious attacks on her friends and her father prompt Elektra down the path of violence and revenge.

Customer Reviews

Another Great Ultimate
'Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra' is a recent addition to the excellent series of 'Ultimate' titles produced by Marvel. The 'Ultimate Philosophy' (if there is such a thing) is simple: to breath new life into characters who have been around for years by telling their stories as though they had never been told before; to free them from years of baggage and continuity by rebuilding them from the ground up; to start, as they say, from scratch.

Rucka succeeds brilliantly at writing a new Elektra and Daredevil for a new century. The narrative focuses primarily on Elektra, which is appropriate, for it is around her that the drama of the book turns: Elektra acts, and Daredevil reacts. Because of this dynamic, Rucka fleshes out Elektra more than her 'other half', creating a situation where the reader sympathises greatly for the young fighter and her new-found university friends. The book, however, ends with a stunning and resonant dilemma, twisting the reader’s sympathies into awkward positions.

Salvador Larroca, the artist, should not go unmentioned: a large part of the book's vitality comes from his sharply observed, often very witty, pencils - Larroca appears to particularly excel towards the end of the book, when events become tenser and more dramatic, and he is required to produce more expressive, eye-catching compositions (there is only so much you can do when action takes place in a college dorm, or common room, as much of the action does, early on).

Rucka has written a marvellously brisk and energetic adventure, which serves as a perfect introduction to these two characters, or as a refresher for those already acquainted with them. But although it is a quick, page-turning read, it is not without depth and thought, compassion and tragedy: 'Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra' is a meaty book, and a must-have for anyone interested in contemporary comics.

(Also included in this collection is the first issue of a Daredevil graphic novel called 'Parts of a Hole'. It is a very welcome bonus issue (written by David Mack and Joe Quesada) which with its textured writing and gorgeous artwork will convince any reader, if they still needed convincing, that Daredevil is the superhero to be reading...)

A great introduction to the characters!
Never having read any Daredevil comics, this was my first excursion into the realm! I'd seen the film the day before, and this was so different it was refreshing. The character of Elektra is strong, and the storyline is one which defines their attitudes to justice and vengeance, but I felt that Daredevil/Matt Murdock didn't really get much of a look in! He was a kind of 'devil's advocate' to Elektra's avenging ninja! Still, the art was great, and for a newcomer, this was intriguing enough for me to want the next one soon!!