Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 is a comic that doesn’t waste any time or pull any punches. It immediately launches its plot by having a mysterious figure kidnap Alice, the orphan who Elektra Natchios recently took under her wing. Elektra embarks on a journey to save Alice, but faces opposition from the criminal organization known as the Maggia. That’s not even factoring in the appearance of the new Punisher, Jake Gallows.
The biggest draw for Daredevil: Woman Without Fear is that it’s picking up in the wake of two recently-concluded, character-driven runs: Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto and the Punisher miniseries from David Pepose and Dave Wachter. Erica Schultz not only picks up those plot threads with ease, but she also weaves a new narrative that readers old and new can follow along. All you need to know is that Elektra is Daredevil, and she’s on a mission to save someone close to her. It’s a tale that’s driven everything from Taken to John Wick, and it fits her character perfectly. Schultz even nails how methodical Elektra is, as she boards a train and immediately starts clocking threats.
That also extends to Michael Dowling and Dee Cunniffe’s artwork. Dowling simultaneously draws Elektra as a graceful and fierce fighter; every move she makes is with purpose, and every hit lands with the force of a hammer. A pair of two-page spreads shows this off the best, with Elektra jamming a would-be assassin’s gun with ridiculous ease and then having to strike hard and fast to catch Crossbones off-guard. Dowling’s artwork boasts a fluidity that’s enhanced by Cunniffe’s colors. The cold blue nights of New York City are lit up with the glowing gold windows of countless skyscrapers, and Elektra’s red and black uniform stands out against the bluish-white background of the passenger train. Clayton Cowles also presents Elektra’s inner monologue as a stark black and white letter scheme with a red border, providing even more contrast while letting the reader know her thoughts.
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 mixes gorgeous artwork with sharp character writing to deliver a thrill ride of a debut issue. I had always wanted to see more of Elektra as Daredevil, and this series is a wish fulfilled in the best way.
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