Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra

Rating:
Summary: This is not the ultimate version (more like the opposite)
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: This is not the ultimate version (more like the opposite)
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: This is not the ultimate version (more like the opposite)
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: Nice but unnecessary.
Review: "Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra" by Greg Rucka and Salvador Larroca is a nice comic book, but it does not add anything to Daredevil's myth.

The drawings are quite nice and the story is OK but it could be better. After reading it I was left with the feeling that something was missing. The only really good part of the comic is an extra chapter (the first chapter) of another story: "Parts of a Whole". In fact, I recommend you buy "Parts of a Whole" instead, if you're looking for a really cool Daredevil adventure.

In short, unless you really are a hardcore Daredevil fan (or you're building a collection), I really think you can skip this one.

Rating:
Summary: What the movie should have been more like...
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A new look/good introduction to old favorites
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Two parts of a Whole
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Uneven writing and artwork.....
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: good story, nice art
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Uneven writing and artwork.....
Review: Greg Rucka's scripts are fast paced but have little character development. That was true with his Batman work, and it's the same with Daredevil here. The charecters are quite litterally written as two dimensional cartoon charecters (which also desribes the hideious artwork here). I thought the Daredevil movie was bad, but this book is much worse.