Elektra by Peter Milligan, Larry Hama & Mike Deodato Jr.: The Complete Collection

Elektra (1996) #1-19

by Peter Milligan, Larry Hama, Mike Deodato Jr. (Illustrator)

Join the deadly Elektra on the path to redemption! Her fateful first step will lead to the ultimate grudge match with the man who murdered her -the lethal marksman Bullseye! But when an ancient threat known as the Architect engineers a life-and-death competition, an army of assassins make their way to New York. It's kill or be killed in a winner-takes-all contest that draws in Killer Shrike, Razor-Fist, Whiplash, Taskmaster and more! Can Elektra stop the madness -or will she take fi rst prize? Doctor Strange lends a mystic hand in a sai-and-sorcery epic! Plus, the fates of Elektra and Daredevil intertwine in the past and present, the American Samurai strikes, and Elektra wages war on the Hand in Japan! COLLECTING: ELEKTRA (1996) 1-19, -1

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Superheroes, Graphic Novels

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Peter Milligan is a British writer, best known for his work on X-Force / X-Statix, the X-Men, & the Vertigo series Human Target. He is also a scriptwriter.

He has been writing comics for some time and he has somewhat of a reputation for writing material that is highly outlandish, bizarre and/or absurd.

His highest profile projects to date include a run on X-Men, and his X-Force revamp that relaunched as X-Statix.

Many of Milligan's best works have been from DC Vertigo. These include: The Extremist (4 issues with artist Ted McKeever) The Minx (8 issues with artist Sean Phillips) Face (Prestige one-shot with artist Duncan Fegredo) The Eaters (Prestige one-shot with artist Dean Ormston) Vertigo Pop London (4 issues with artist Philip Bond) Enigma (8 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo) and Girl (3 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo).

Series:
* Human Target
* Greek Street
* X-Force / X-Statix

Reviews

[Sud666 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elektra is a great character. In the hands of someone gifted like Frank Miller she shines. In fact, I am a big Elektra fan. In the hands of mediocre writers like Milligan or Hama, err not so much.

This is a collection of the Elektra run in the 90's. Sadly the writing, art style and overall plots are also 90's. That is not a good thing. A banal intrepretation of Elektra. Even the appearence of various characters like Dr. Strange and Daredevil (the issues with guest stars tend to be better) could not save this relatively putrid collection.

I don't think the writers really "get" Elektra and by making her a hero, versus anti-hero, they make her a pedestrian character with silly storylines. Elektra and her gal pal's adventures leave a lot to be desired. Even Stick couldn't do much for this story.

So 90's art, stupid writing and silly 90's concepts leave this one with a resounding "meh". You'd have to be a HUGE Elektra fan to like this one and even then it would likely be a stretch. Stick with Miller's Elektra.

[Quentin Wallace]

I thought this was a pretty good series, especially considering it came out in the 90s when Image comics had turned the industry into pretty comics without much story to speak of. (And in some cases, the art wasn't even that pretty.)

In this case, the art is pretty. Deodato Jr. is great at drawing sexy women, and he got a chance to showcase it here. I will say it's probably not his best work, probably because it was a regular monthly title and he did every issue, and the deadlines probably got to him. Not that the art is bad, it's still very good. Also, I've said this in other reviews, but consistency in a creative team usually makes a strong comic.

As far as the stories themselves, we got to see Daredevil (of course), but also Wolverine, Shang Chi, the Kingpin and a few others. A good, coherent story throughout the entire series. It did end on one of the biggest cliffhangers you'll ever see in comics, and I'm not sure if it was ever really followed up on?

Overall not a bad series at all, and Elektra fans should give it a read.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She is fighting herself. Her laughter is meant to be ironic but but it comes out some what cracked. Isn't that who Elektra is always fighting? The real deep-down soul-deep enemy".

I love Elektra! Not even because I'm so obsessed with assassins, I just find her so compelling. She wasn't always dark a great tragedy made her that way. I love that, tragedy changes us all and most of the time it isn't for the better. Elektra used her vengeance and anger as a weapon to become a weapon herself, but she was too dangerous. She enjoyed the pain and killing too much. Her character development is something I love to read about she tries to be better but usually fails. Elektra always goes back to what she does best which is killing. My favorite issues in this were the ones with Daredevil I love their relationship it is very toxic but compelling at the same time. They corrupt one another and know that they are so much worse when they are together,they can't help but love each other in spite of it. I loved these nineteen issues of badass Elektra it makes me wanna rewatch season 2 of Daredevil.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This is a really solid first attempt at fleshing out the character of Elektra, with a lot of kick ass action and a surprising amount of small, poignant moments for a '90s Marvel comic. I especially enjoyed the second half, with Larry Hama taking on the writing duties, as we get all kinds of cool ninja and samurai action, which I'm generally a sucker for. The first half by Peter Milligan isn't too shabby either, as he introduces a lot of the supporting characters that keeps the story feeling grounded in some sort of reality, and is what sets up those aforementioned touching moments.

And while the writing may not depend on too many of the '90s superhero tropes, the artwork sure does, but as someone that grew up reading comics of this era, I don't mind. To be perfectly honest, I prefer this era of Mike Deodato Jr's work to the digital style he adopted and developed as years went on. The stuff here feels so much more lively and exciting. If you're a fan of the character, this is well worth checking out.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, the art: All Mike Deodato, I believe, including the covers. I feel like he got a little burned out in the middle. When Hama starts writing, he seems to have gotten a boost and upped his game for the last few issues. I am going to rate it from good to great. (Except why can't 90's artists draw feet??!! Also, I hate the way he draws Logan's hair.) 1990s Deodato is an acquired taste. I didn't like it for a long time, and then one day I suddenly did. No explanation.

Now, the writing. Ugh. Milligan starts strong, but he quickly devolves into sit-com territory. Elektra is not Dazzler. I don't need to read about her teenage "ward" and her cute love-life and her money problems. (and her broadway dancing career?) I know she's best known for an epic and tragic love story. But that's a far cry from this "Friends"-level crap. I don't want Elektra to be cute and have funny shopping adventures with her galpals. I want her violent and emotionally tortured.

And don't even get me started on the Daredevil story, which is some of the worst writing I have ever read from a major name on a major character.

Larry Hama comes in for the last handful of issues. He starts out fixing one of the major problems with Milligan's new characters. It's ridiculously OTT -- maybe Fridged-level -- but it's necessary. The resulting story is pretty decent, even if the guest appearances feel shoehorned in. But the whole "The Hand will kill you and then resurrect you" gets tiresome after awhile.

In the end, Elektra goes on her tortured and lonely way. It's for the best, I think. I am not sure she's the kind of character who works for an ongoing solo series. But I see we've had some other attempts after this one, including Greg Rucka. So I am willing to give her another chance.

Wins an extra star for the Mike Deodato. Jr.artwork.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Elektra Story ever! A great redemption story. If you read all the Daredevil stuff that came before this it was a rollercoaster. Now our female hero in Red gets her chance to shine in her own series.
In this series we learn more about Elektra and her father, there are some scenes in Greece. Like shes been doing in her debut, she kicks ass, but she has more humanity here, we actually see her smile and laugh a few times. Art wise she looks the most beautiful in this series. Deodato delivers with the art.
Naturally we see Hornhead himself in this series, they fight alongside each other and hook up a few times. She also gets a new love interest, who ends up in a coma and never seen again. There is also a teen girl she looks after and briefly trains, then she has fight her and then save her. She does have a rematch with Bullseye and comes out the victor. Elektra really is in need of a new series, the one by Greg Rucka was good, but the art style kept changing. The 2017 series was kinda meh. I love her role in the Zdarsky Daredevil series, hopefully she can get her own series.

[Devero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questa non è l'Elektra di Miller, la gelida assassina ninja greca che abbiamo amato.
Gli autori, costretti a renderla protagonista di una serie, devono metterla sotto i riflettori, eliminando così quell'aura misteriosa e quell'atmosfera che rendevano l'Elektra di Miller un personaggio così forte. Il paragone è impietoso verso questa ragazza che sembra la copia distorta e sbiadita di quell'altra, che è e resta la Vera Elektra.

Detto questo, le trame imbastite sono delle decenti storie di super eroismo urbano con qualche comparsata nella magia e nel misticismo che, sebbene abbiano a che fare col personaggio, stonano un poco. I disegni di Deodato jr sono più che sufficienti, ma mi attendevo altro (sbagliando) da una serie regolare con protagonista la letale ninja.

[Victor Bravo Jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series I will start off by saying has some awesome art. For me unfortunately that's what really kept me reading. The story and writing itself is pretty mediocre to be brutally honest, I tried so hard to love it but it's all kind of a mess. The characters were pretty bland and sometimes just annoying (it was Nina btw, she just felt forced in this story it was EXTREMELY annoying). The Daredevil appearance is when the story starts to get a bit interesting but gets very corny near the end of the series when you discover the climax/twist. All together I give it a 3/5 stars.

Advice: if you plan on reading this, I'd recommend putting it on the back burner as a last resort comic run. It wasnt horrible and it definitely wasn't amazing either, Its just decent.

[Jay Rox · Rating 2 out of 5]

We get a new take on Elektra trying to give her more depth .. the first story arch was fun introducing us to new characters & even giving her an orphan teen to look after .. we had some interesting ideas hear for example we introduce a transgender character & a bisexual character , there both supporting characters & were decently written but we had no real depth to them kus they didnt get enough camera time or build up , I tought it was a missed opportunity. Then we get one of Elektra friends to turn on her threw some bad circumstances but it felt rushed again no build up . A lot of good ideas with bad pacing almost like they were beeing told to hurry up and finish the book .

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uneven. And too long. And by too long I mean it had too many different stories - too many starts and restarts. But good characters. It would have been nicer if that cast of characters had stuck around and not turned evil. But surprisingly interesting and detailed. And Elektra comes off as a sympathetic character for the most part. Daredevil is done pretty well as well, though Logan could have been better. Elektra's costume in this one was not the worst I've seen. So a mixed bag, but generally a good one. 3.5 of 5.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is amazing, the three issue arc of Elektra and Daredevil trying to work despite rampant sexual chemistry, and the oddly hopeful gender-manipulation arc is fascinating, but mostly this just felt like a dull repetition of loops of Elektra fighting assassins and looking hot. A great example of 90s Marvel, but she's been done much better since (see Rucka, del Mundo, and Schultz's runs).

[Jhoel Centeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5*

I loved this adventure with my favorite heroine. However, does this continue!? That cliffhanger has me begging for more ASAP. I would recommend.

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think i liked this?? I love elektra as a character but i wasnt super into some aspects of her portrayal here. I found it entertaining but the story could have definitely been better

[pabloreads]

“If I conquer fear, then I conquer death! And to conquer death, is to conquer life!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this at the library and was interested to pick it up. Elektra has intrigued me since watching the Daredevil and Elektra movies starring Jennifer Garner. The art is nice to look at if not male-gaze-y in how the women look. The storylines feel dated and I get that the dialogue is trying to be witty.

[Matt Bouchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A prime example of why Marvel almost went bankrupt in the 90’s. I love Elektra….but this is sad cringe. A small note for Hamilton, Hama and Deodato….Matt Murdock is blind. So stop writing stories where you claim he is “looking at things”.