Elektra (comics)

Elektra (Elektra Natchios) is a Marvel Comics superhero. Created by Frank Miller, she first appeared in Daredevil #168, in January of 1981.

Elektra is a ninja and assassin who wields two bladed sais as her trademark weapon. She is one of Miller's more memorable creations for Marvel, and subsequent writers' use of her is controversial among American comic book fans.

Character history

Elektra was the daughter of a Greek ambassador, and the college girlfriend of Matt Murdock, the man who would become Daredevil. Her father was kidnapped and then accidentally killed by the police in a botched rescue attempt. Elektra lost faith and hope, and turned to the study of martial arts. Stick, a member of the benevolent organization called the Chaste, recognized the darkness in her soul and attempted to train her himself, but she ultimately sided with the Hand, a sect of mystical ninjas, who trained her as an assassin. She later broke away from them and became an independent agent, and in this role she again encountered Matt Murdock, who was now active as Daredevil. She soon learned of his double identity, and although the pair worked together to fight the Hand, they also came into conflict frequently.

She soon became the chief assassin in the employ of New York City's premier crimelord, the Kingpin, who assigned her to kill Matt Murdock's partner, Franklin "Foggy" Nelson. When Nelson recognized Elektra as Matt's college girlfriend, she was unable to kill him.

Elektra was fatally stabbed by Bullseye with one of her own sais in a battle over which of them would be the Kingpin's assassin (in Daredevil #181). Elektra managed to crawl over to Daredevil's house before dying in his arms as Bullseye watched the two, hidden among a crowd that had gathered to see what was going on. Later (in Daredevil #190), members of the Hand stole her body and attempted to resurrect her. Daredevil, with the assistance of Stone, a member of Stick's order, intervened, defeating the Hand ninjas. Daredevil then tried to revive Elektra himself. Although his attempt failed, it did have the effect of purifying Elektra's soul. Elektra's body subsequently disappeared with Stone.

Years later, it was revealed that Elektra was resurrected by Stone. Elektra's evil aspect had been physically split apart from her in its own body as a consequence of the ritual performed by Daredevil. Her darker half, calling itself Erynys, fought Elektra and was killed by her, thus returning the dark side to Elektra's soul. She wandered the world and became acquainted with Wolverine of the X-Men.

Feature series

Elektra has received her own comic series twice; the second series was published under the Marvel MAX imprint before being moved back to Marvel's mainstream line of comic books.

• Elektra Saga (1983) #1–4
• Elektra: Assassin (1986) #1–8
• Elektra Lives Again (1990) #1 (Epic Comics graphic novel)
• Elektra: Root of Evil (1995) #1–4
• Elektra Megazine (1996) #1–2 (reprint series)
• Elektra (1996 series) #1–19
• Elektra (2001 series) #1–35 (MAX)
• Wolverine & Elektra: The Redeemer (2002) #1–2
• Elektra: Glimpse & Echo (2002) #1–4

Appearances in other media

In the 2003 movie Daredevil, Elektra was played by Jennifer Garner; her story arc in the film roughly followed that of the original Frank Miller comics. Garner reprised the role in a film spin-off, Elektra, continuing Elektra's story arc with her being resurrected.