Customer Reviews

Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra Volume 1 TPB

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Daredevil has been a great Marvel character ever since he came onto the scene some nearly 40 years now. When compared to the big-hitters like Spider-Man, the Hulk ot the X-Men, his character and prowess are the most human. His physical skills and abilities stem from being perfected out of years of a discipline and practice. The Ultimate line seems ready to dismantle the original idea of the character and introduce him to new readers. This worked successfully with Spider-Man and X-Men. With DD, the results are similar and different as well.

The story written by writing superstar Greg Rucka is based on DD's early days when he's still in college studying law. Rucka takes you on the journey of how Matt Murdock gets to meet Elektra. In this case, it's Elektra who expresses the general interest in Matt and falls head over heels for him. As a matter of fact, most of the foray of the stor is embedded on Elektra. Her actions guide the stpry's direction, Matt just plays the supporting role. This does not necessarily mean the story is poor, but somewhat incomplete and lacking with some potholes. For instance, what's the major driving force that makes Elektra who and what she is. Studying under a sensei at the age of 5 just doesn't make you the best martial artist in town, if you don't have a drive to be somewhere. Ruck fails to grasp that fact. The original Elektra went through years of loss and conditioning before she became the character she was. The Ultimate version just took her two issues to become bitter and vengeful. You think that martial arts would teach inner calm, but not in this case.

Matt being DD is completely ignored. Why, what and how he does his thing is not for the reader to know. What is also missing is the way he gets to see in his special way. This was a favorite in the newly released movie and the original DD series. You just want to know more of the characters and what drives them. You don;t want to read a story about good and bad without knowing why these characters choose to do what they do.

The best thing about this story is summed in the art form and the fact it is an extremely human story. Matt and Foggy's relationship in college to the sweet passion shared by Matt and Elektra. Those are beautiul to see, espcially when drawn by Salvador Larroca of X-Men fame. His Elektra is sexy and she has the right curves for her age. Her actions with her roomies are what you would expect of an 18 year older.

Though Ultimate DD is great, his Marvel Knights counterpart is far much superior. The original character has matured to what he is. Ultimate DD is good fun, but nothing would sway or replace the original from being the true Man Without Fear.

"Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra" Volume 1 collects issues #1-4 of "Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra" by writer Greg Rucka and artist Salvador Larroca. The story takes us back to the very early days when both Matt Murdock and Elektra Natchios were students at Columbia University. In other word the story-arc here takes place before they were Daredevil the superhero and Elektra the assassin. The idea is that this story gives us insight into how each of them ended on their respective paths while dealing with the tragedy that Matt and Elektra were soul mates who could have lived happily ever after.

The end result is, in a word, okay. I know that Elektra is not yet a highly trained assassin, but she should still be able to recognize her boyfriend when he is just wearing a hood. But the real problem with getting this storyline off the ground is the book's villain, a spoiled rich kid who likes to rape women. The idea is that his father is able to get sonny boy out of trouble, but if the whole point of these Ultimate series is to restart the stories of Marvel's superheroes in the twentieth century then it is hard for me to believe that this sort of case would not end up on Court TV and every tabloid in the nation. The media brings down everybody in this country and being rich only adds fuel to the fire. Anyhow, Cal Langstrom the Third (Trey to his friends and non-admirers alike) is just a high school level bully who should not be causing Elektra and her pals this much trouble, even when she is basically being a good girl. Even in a comic book, the success of a story rests as much on the villain as it does the hero, and "Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra" is just not worth the effort.

The focus is more on Elektra than Murdock in these issues, with Matt's life and his friendship with Foggy Nelson being minor considerations. But Elektra's relationship with her friends and her Sensei are all standard fare, which just reinforces the conclusion that there is nothing of depth here which enriches the retelling of the tale. As a special bonus feature this trade paperback includes "Daredevil #9," the opening chapter of the graphic novel "Daredevil Volume 2: Parts of a Hole" by David Mack, Joe Quesada, and Jimmy Palmoiotti. It is the more interesting tale, both from a storytelling and an artistic standpoint, and even without reading the rest of the story it would be reasonable to say go pick that up instead of this one.

First, let me say that, while I read a lot of comics, I haven't really read that many Daredevil comics. I only really got interested in them once I saw the movie. I read this book after reading the Daredevil:The Movie comic collection. The first comic in this book was also in that one, so the repetition is kind of a disappointment. However, it's nice to get the rest of the story. In this book, Matt and Elektra are both at college. They meet and they fall in love, but then Elektra starts to want to get revenge on a guy who hurt a friend of hers. I thought the artwork in this book was great, and the story was interesting. I don't know if a big fan of the Daredevil comics would like it, but I enjoyed it a lot. After the main story, there are a few pages from Salvador Larroca's sketchbook, showing how he came up with the design for a younger Elektra and her costumes. I liked those pages too - they gave a nice (but not really very detailed) look into some of the thought process behind the story. The final part of the book is a bonus comic featuring Maya Lopez (Echo), a woman with birth-induced deafness who can watch any action and commit it to muscle memory. In other words, she can watch someone fight or play a piano and do exactly as they did. I liked the comic, and I'll do my best to try and find the book in which that story is continued. Overall, I definitely recommend this book.

At Columbia University, two students meet and fall in love. Matt Murdock, a pre-law student, was blinded in an accident, but compensates with other enhanced sensory abilities--and something more, something secret. Elektra Natchios, daughter of a dry-cleaning store owner from Queens, has trained as an expert martial artist. Together, they find happiness. However, when something horrible happens to one of Elektra's closest friends, they discover a rift forming between them. As Elektra watches how bad men manipulate the system of law to their own ends, can she still support Matt's faith in that system?

Marvel Comics introduced their "Ultimate" line as a venue for reintroducing concepts like Spider-Man and X-Men to new audiences, with fresh starts free of the continuities built up over 30+ years of comics stories. Daredevil has remained a relatively straightforward, uncomplicated character, and it could be argued that readers don't need such a clear new entry point. However, Daredevil and Elektra will soon be featured in a new, big-budget movie, and it makes good marketing sense to present movie audiences with a new introduction that really doesn't require any pre-knowledge of the characters. Additionally, the story of Daredevil and Elektra is one that pretty much belongs to groundbreaking Daredevil writer/artist Frank Miller. He created Elektra in his 80s-era run on the title, and tragically killed her off. While other creators have brought her back to life, that was never Miller's intention, and such efforts always feel somehow... wrong. By setting this in the Ultimate "universe," by telling a tale of alternate, different characters, writer Greg Rucka somehow legitimizes his use of the character. Nobody besides Frank Miller should write Elektra, but this execption is okay, because it isn't a story about *that* Elektra.

And this is very much Elektra's story. In many ways, it isn't even a Daredevil story, because, despite the cover(s), Matt Murdock has not even created the Daredevil identity. We see him in a masked guise, but not in the familiar hornheaded costume. We see him in action, but don't learn much about his origin or powers. We only see one or two scenes from his perspective; every other time, we see Elektra's view of him.

Fortunately, Rucka makes Elektra into an interesting, compelling character, worthy of having her story told. We watch as she is pushed from a normal life into someone willing to commit almost unthinkable acts to protect the ones she loves. Given the things that happen to her and hers, we believe the transition, as we see the apparent hopelessness of her situation. The frustratingly tragic situation begs some sort of sequel or follow-up story, because we have already seen the person that Elektra used to be, and so desperately want her to find her way back to that person, back to that place. And this, I suppose, is another strength of an "ultimate" Daredevil/Elektra story: their tale can develop in ways that aren't curtailed by the closure that Miller gave the "real" versions.

The art, by Salvador Larroca, Danny Miki, and Udon Studios, is packed with detail and yet perfectly clear in its storytelling. They draw characters as distinct individuals and believable real-world settings, a definite plus for a story with no visually fantastic elements. For readers familiar with the original versions of the characters, these are clearly college-age students. If Marvel does create follow-ups to this story, I hope this art team is available to draw them.

So, while not the perfect introduction to Daredevil, this book creates a fantastic new story about an Elektra we've never seen before. Hardcore superhero fans may wish for more costumes and action, but longtime fans of Daredevil should feel perfectly at home with the tone and style of this tragic romance.

I like the Ultimate Marvel Titles. This particular title is a very down to earth believalbe way for Daredevil and Elektra to have met and fallen in love in this day and age.

The motivations for the characters stay true to the arch types of the mainstream, but have that slightly tweaked edge that brings it firmly into the world of today.

This is better than the movie. Sadly. If you go and see the movie and get frustrated, I'd say sit back n read this and it should make you feel all warm n fuzzy inside...

Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra Volume 1 TPB collects the four issue miniseries and an unrelated story about 616 (Mainstream Marvel) Daredevil. Why Daredevil #9 was collected in this trade is beyond me. I assume it was so the could charge $12 instead of $10. The Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra miniseries was written by Greg Rucka with art by Salvador Larroca.
Let me preface this review by saying I'm not a fan of the mainstream version of Daredevil or Elektra nor the ones portrayed in the Daredevil film. The Ultimate versions actually piqued my interest in the characters though. Although all the covers to this miniseries depict Matt and Elektra in their costumes, Elektra doesn't don her costume until the last issue. Matt's isn't even show in any of the the issues, except the covers. Matt is more of a background character, with Elektra being the main character. Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra could have been just as easily been titled Ultimate College. There is no superhero action in this miniseries, in fact there is very little action to speak of. Rucka instead focuses on typical college drama. This includes relationship troubles, a campus rape, and Elekta's father's troubles running his company. The drama subplots kept me interested, but I know a lot of people don't like those kind of storylines. The subplots Rucka chose make this book extremely relatable to the typical reader though, making this book unique.
I liked most of the characters in Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra. Phoebe McAllister, Elektra's room mate, was featured just as much as Matt (Daredevil) was. I applaud Rucka to have a strong black female lead character, but I would've liked to see more Matt, as he is one of the titular characters. Elektra is who Rucka chose to focus on, and he crafted her into an awesome and compelling character. She's presented with situations every fledgeling adult must face, and she faces them head on. Matt's character isn't really delved into. What we learn about him is mostly gleaned from his talks with his best friend Foggy. The Ultimate version of the Kingpin makes appearances in this series too.
The dialogue is good and not overly abundant. Rucka chose to let Larroca's art do the talking for a considerable amount of panels. Which is fine, as his art is amazing. There are a few of Larroca's Elektra sketches collected as extras near the end of the book.
The coloring for Salvador Larroca's art comes off as dark. This is most likely due to the fact that he started working exclusively with Liquid! from 2004 onwards. This miniseries was written before that.
Overall this is a very human story. Which is something we don't see in Marvel comics too often. This is a different start for the two star crossed lovers who will become Daredevil and Elektra. It is refreshing to see a writer willing to make these two superheroes more relatable. For those willing to give it a try, I say buy it. The story of Daredevil and Elektra is continued in Ultimate Elektra Volume 1: Devil's Due TPB, a five issue miniseries by Mike Carey with Salvador Larroca returning on art.

I'm not going to lie to you, Ultimate DareDevil is NOTHING like his 616 counterpart. Ironically, DareDevil is never actually shown. Matt Murdock is a college student who is attending the same school as Elektra Nachios. These stories (Ultimate Elektra: Devil's Due included) are more featured around Elektra. The two story arcs dwelve into Elektra's past and the suffering that the mafia has put her through and is ultimately the explanation of how she get's involved with the King Pin as she is always seen in the Ultimate Spider-Man series. DD's role in the short series is just him trying to save Elektra from herself and, ultimately, failing due to her impulsive nature.

I think this book is generally underrated by comic fans. It is a very good origin story by Greg Rucka set in Marvel's Ultimate universe. Matt Murdock and Elektra Natchios are both college students. Neither one of them has explored vigilante/assassin roles when we first meet them. But as certain events unfold in both of their lives, including a rapist on the loose, both characters make some life choices that will direct their lives along very specific (and very different) paths. Although the cover may indicate otherwise, we never see Matt & Elektra suit up in familiar costumes. But the book ends with the assumption that both are headed to a seamstress.

I wouldn't call it a "must have" for any comic fan, but you won't be disappointed. Like I said, very good. And if you already like DD, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

This story retells how Elektra and Daredevil met in college, but in an alternate universe (the Ultimate Universe). The book follows Elektra and Daredevil tends to be a secondary character in the story. I enjoyed it however and anticpated each following issue.

It's no secret I'm not much of a fan of Marvel's Ultimate line (besides Mark Millar's Ultimates that is), and this collection (which collects the 4 issue mini-series of the same name) helps me prove my point. Taking place in Marvel's Ultimate universe before Matt Murdock became the horned vigilante and Elektra became a cold hearted assassin, this mini-series is an origin story/love story turned tragic; but the story doesn't go anywhere special, and while writer Greg Rucka is a solid writer in his own right, his story just can't compare with Frank Miller's epic, classic saga of years back. The art by X-Treme X-Men artist Salvador Larrocca is his typical style while he makes Elektra look simply gorgeous. This book also contains issue #9 of the regular Daredevil title by David Mack and Joe Quesada which is the beginning of the "Parts of a Hole" story. I suggest picking up that book instead of this one, and leave this in the dust.