Rating: 
Summary: Good: Cocky and Strange
Review: Hunter/Steadman inflected treatment of Nixon's 21st century sick-media America being invaded by a resurrected muse/ninja/cyborg/palimpsest killer in a long red thong. Her character is conflicted and messy-weird but the story is that of another man, a proto-macho cigar-chomping positive-slant on the good-old-American-rebel guy. The art is a treat, the story is cocky and strange. Good comic.
Rating: 
Summary: A Graphic Novel for the Critic
Review: I remember first buying this in its first printing and
thinking "I've never seen anything like this in my life".
I went on a tear and bought as much Sienkiewicz art as I
could, from New Mutants to portfolios to a signed Moon Knight
print (yep, I met him too).
Frank Miller of course is arguably the finest writer that comics have ever had. The combination didn't disappoint me
then; news of a reissue means I don't have to risk opening
my original to re-read a classic.
About the novel itself, I can only agree that as a story Miller
has written better, but placed in its context I believe it's
worthy of special merit. And again, to amplify earlier
comments, Bill Sienkiewicz does something in this book that
shook comic artists at the time, breaking huge ground for
those that followed, and then... nothing. Inexplicably,
Bill's presence went off the map. This stands as his finest
work in comics.
Rating:
Summary: A Graphic Novel for the Critic
Review: I remember first buying this in its first printing and
thinking "I've never seen anything like this in my life".
I went on a tear and bought as much Sienkiewicz art as I
could, from New Mutants to portfolios to a signed Moon Knight
print (yep, I met him too).
Frank Miller of course is arguably the finest writer that comics have ever had. The combination didn't disappoint me
then; news of a reissue means I don't have to risk opening
my original to re-read a classic.
About the novel itself, I can only agree that as a story Miller
has written better, but placed in its context I believe it's
worthy of special merit. And again, to amplify earlier
comments, Bill Sienkiewicz does something in this book that
shook comic artists at the time, breaking huge ground for
those that followed, and then... nothing. Inexplicably,
Bill's presence went off the map. This stands as his finest
work in comics.
Rating:
Summary: Easily in my all time top 10 - and finally it's here!
Review: I spent about three years of my life searching for this book and eventually paid over the odds for it through an out-of-print booksearch service - I wasn't dissapointed.The first couple of chapters are a bit confusing and I'm still not sure I really understand them, but from then on, a quirky story full of Frank Miller's black humour at it's best emerges. Political intrigue mixed with genetically modified dwarves that fly by flapping their arms - This story is wierd. If you read this book try to avoid Daredevil: Fall from Grace - that book ruins the ending to this one
Rating:
Summary: A Grand Piece of Fun
Review: I'm not going to pretend this is a seminal work in Comics History. I'm not even convinced it was the best work of either of the primary creators. But it's a blast to read. I've read it probably half-a-dozen times in the years since it came out, and I enjoy the stylish art and the crisp storytelling every time. My complaints are few: despite the appearance of a few mainstream Marvel characters, this isn't a Marvel continuity book--Marvel has always used the real President in its series--and someone should have caught Miller's misspelling of "cirrhosis." But the storytelling is unparalleled, the plot creatively bizarre, and the art style changed the way creators look at mainstream comics (David Mack's recent "Parts of a Hole" arc in Daredevil owes an enormous debt to this book). It's a blast, it's a rollicking romp, it makes very little sense, and if you just let go of preconceptions and roll with the storyline, you should be laughing and shaking your head in amazement when you turn the last page and close the book. If you're trying to choose between this one and Miller's ELEKTRA LIVES AGAIN, go with ELEKTRA: ASSASSIN, hands down.
Rating:
Summary: A Grand Piece of Fun
Review: I'm not going to pretend this is a seminal work in Comics History. I'm not even convinced it was the best work of either of the primary creators. But it's a blast to read. I've read it probably half-a-dozen times in the years since it came out, and I enjoy the stylish art and the crisp storytelling every time. My complaints are few: despite the appearance of a few mainstream Marvel characters, this isn't a Marvel continuity book--Marvel has always used the real President in its series--and someone should have caught Miller's misspelling of "cirrhosis." But the storytelling is unparalleled, the plot creatively bizarre, and the art style changed the way creators look at mainstream comics (David Mack's recent "Parts of a Hole" arc in Daredevil owes an enormous debt to this book). It's a blast, it's a rollicking romp, it makes very little sense, and if you just let go of preconceptions and roll with the storyline, you should be laughing and shaking your head in amazement when you turn the last page and close the book. If you're trying to choose between this one and Miller's ELEKTRA LIVES AGAIN, go with ELEKTRA: ASSASSIN, hands down.
Rating:
Summary: A Serious Mind Trip
Review: I'm not sure I have the words to describe this book. In terms of art, it's sheer genius. In terms of story, it's a bit contrived, but entertaining nonetheless. If you are a fan of truly inspired comic artwork and like your comics trippy, buy this book. If you live the world of typical superheroes and would like to stay there, don't go anywhere near Elektra: Assassin. Sign me up for the Dark Knight Strikes Again.
Rating:
Summary: Bizarre, yet compelling
Review: In Elektra: Assasin, the beautiful killing machine known as Elektra has returned from her supposed death and is on a mission to kill Presidential candidate Ken Wind. She's wanted by S.H.E.I.L.D. operatives after she assassinated South American Presidente Carlos Huevos. She dispatches, in rich, bloody detail, many an agent. One of those unfortunates is agent John Garrett, who she shreds nearly to pieces, only to leave him alive for her own amusement. Garrett is revived with a special electronic and pneumatic body. Elektra uses some sort of bizarre Ninja mind control over him to make him do her bidding. Meanwhile, S.H.E.I.L.D. is busy rebuilding Perry, Garrett's partner who also was badly mutilated by Elektra. What they don't know is that Perry has a history of violence and rage, and it's up to Elektra and Garrett to stop him before he gets fully rebuilt. But Garrett's betrayal of S.H.I.E.L.D. (due to Elektra's mind control) has agent Chastity and Colonel Nick Fury on his trail.
As you can see from the summary, Elektra: Assasin has a lot of plots and subplots that keep twisting and turning. This was unlike any Frank Miller story I've ever read. Its overall blatant weirdness is unlike Miller's typical realism that was so common in his work on Daredevil. This is not the most gripping or well-written Miller I've ever read, but it still stands taller than most.
Bill Sienkiewicz's art is marvelous. It has a lot of symbolism and style ranging from kindergarden drawing to violent realism. Elektra: Assassin reminded me a lot of Grant Morrisson's Arkham Asylum story in the way that its a very offbeat story and the artist's and writer's styles work to perfection.
The book isn't without its shortcomings. Miller was attempting a psychodramatic thriller, but Elektra: Assassin comes out as being more of a violent romp than anything else. Still, this is well worth reading, especially if you're a fan of the original Elektra that debuted in the pages of Daredevil in the 1980's. Miller fans may be let down a little, but Sienkiewicz's art more than makes up for it. Primal, eccentric, and bloody, Elektra: Assassin won't dissapoint.
Rating:
Summary: Every Bit As Awesome As The Dark Knight!
Review: It's simply astounding that this book is out of print! This amazing collaboration between Frank Miller and Bill Sinckweicz (I know that isn't even close on the spelling) is simply one of the most amazing peices of literature I've ever read, let alone a "really cool comic book". Hear we have one of Miller's most conceptualy challenge stories, about one of his most beloved creations. That alone should keep comic fans drooling, but THE ART! My gods, it is truly surrealistic master work, combined with a truly distinct, and daring "montage" of different kinds of images, raw, polished, stylized, and pyschotic images collide to dizzying effect. I'm sorry this book makes me talk like a third year art student, but it is so complex and stunning, on so many levels, both visually and narratively, that I really couldn't sum it up in a mere thousand words. If you love Frank Miller and Bill Sinckweicz's work, there is no way this could ever disappoint you, unless you really just don't get it! I'm simply floored this is out of print, pardon my drama!
Rating:
Summary: Finally back in print!
Review: Over the past 3 years or so, Marvel seems have remembered that it has older fans who remember its glory days, when all of their characters got a fair shake. If the racks are going to be flooded with a hundred copies of the "Age of X-ecution X-Tinction" trade paperback, the least Marvel could do is reprint something that appeals to more discriminating readers. This book is a prime example. ELEKTRA: ASSASSIN is one of those wonderful moments in comics where the writer and artist, each being at the top of their game, are also completely in tune with each other. Miller's story is by no means straightforward, and if you can read this once and feel that you "got it", you probably really didn't "get it". With every read, I see new messages hidden in the story, and that, to me, means a worthwhile purchase. His definition of the characters is great, from a boorish Agent Garret to a faker-than-fake presidential candidate. The story features many aspects and abilities of Elektra that hadn't been previously covered in other comics. Sienkiewicz's artwork for this story is amazing. He can render some beautiful and technically accurate human forms, but to do that throughout the whole book wouldn't be any fun. Here, he uses a mixed media showcase, incorporating a variety of styles for his interpretations of characters and their moods: some characters are sharply defined, others are photo or paper paste-ups, some just smears of paint. Seeing as this series was originally released in the mid-80s, it can be seen how this work might have influenced such diverse artists as Dave McKean, Simon Bisley, and yes, even Rob Liefield (check out Nick Fury and his big gun). This story fits in well with the Elektra stories of the past. Ignore her recent revival in Daredevil, and you'll be okay.
|
