Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra
August 20, 2006 | 3 Comments
The more I read in the Ultimate ‘verse the more I realize how truly top shelf everything about it seems to be. So far every Ultimate book I’ve read has been great, in some cases awakening interest in characters I previously had no attachment with. Having this in mind, I picked up Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra.
This series starts as a four part series. It is extremely character central. There is very little classic bang up super fight action scenes, but that’s a-ok with me. Especially good when the character development and dialog is as expertly composed as this. In many ways I think this title was targeted at female comic readers, I hope it was successful at this, because I’m certainly going to be making Sara read it…
Here’s the premise: Elektra is a freshman in college. She is the child of a single father who started her with karate lessons at a very young age. Elektra is strong willed and outspoken. Her character exudes strength and confidence. In all ways a great role model for girls (at least early on). She shows up to school, meets some great friends, including one mousy shy girl who she protects from some frat dude jerk. This is where all the problems start, establishing the core conflict of the series.
Later we meet Matt Murdock aka Daredevil. In all ways Daredevil is secondary to Elektra in the series. He and best friend Foggy Nelson are studying law. Murdock immediately becomes Elektra’s love interest.
As the Elektra and frat boy conflict heightens in extremity, eventually she and Daredevil find themselves as a decision point. He must make a choice between supporting her in an act of vengeance or saving the life of someone he does not like. Daredevil feels strongly that the legal system must be played out; Elektra has lost her faith in the law.
In addition to Greg Rucka’s fantasticly written morality centered action character drama, the art of Salvador Larroca is stunning. In fact, it was the recent Marvel Spotlight: Neil Gaiman/Salvador Larroca issue that raised my awareness of this book. I enjoyed reading his interview, but hadn’t read anything he penciled.
If you are interested in Daredevil, Elektra, the Ultimate ‘verse, or character driven story telling, this is a must read for you.
Tags: "ultimate universe", character, comic, comic books, comics, daredevil, drama, elektra, greg rucka, marvel, marvel spotlight, Neil Gaiman, salvador larroca, ultimate, ultimate daredevil and Elektra
Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk - First Impressions
February 28, 2006 | 8 Comments
I’m now two issue into the six issue limited series, Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk. Damon Lindelof, co-creator of the hit TV series Lost is writing this. I haven’t been watching Lost, but
Initially I picked this up because it takes place in the Ultimate Universe, which hasn’t let me down yet. It was the opening sequence of the first issue that really grabbed me. On page 3, Hulk rips Wolverine in half! Yes, Logan has an adamantium skeleton, but that says nothing about the joints in that skeleton. Hulk then throws Wolverine’s legs up on top the nearest mountaintop.
The story then jumps back and gives the back story Wolverine gets himself in this situation. Apparently after a failed state sanctioned death penalty using a nuclear bomb on Hulk. Somehow he survived this and now Logan has been sent to finish him off.
Issue #2 gives similar back story on how Hulk survived and what Banner has been doing in the meantime. This issue moves a lot slower and doesn’t actually step the story forward at all. However, it is important to understand both Hulk and Wolverine’s motivations going into this massive battle.
After these two, the next four are setup for the battle royal first implied in the opening sequences of the first issue. I personally can’t wait. Let’s hope Lindelof doesn’t treat this like Lost and continue dragging it out. Bring on the battle!
Tags: "comics books", "Damon Lindelof", "hulk vs wolverine", "ultimate universe", adamantium, bruce banner, comic, comics, hulk, logan, lost, marvel, ultimates, Wolverine