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Introduction to
1/14/2004
Elektra.
To most, the name now means Jennifer Garner in skintight leather doing serious damage to all who oppose her. But before Ms. Alias ever drop-kicked a single thug on the big screen, Elektra was an immensely popular character with comic book enthusiasts. Created by Sin City maestro Frank Miller during his run on the Marvel Comics series Daredevil, Elektra continues her comic assault in the pages of such books as Elektra - The Hand and Ultimate Elektra. To coincide with the big screen release of Elektra, Stuffo presents the 10 definitive back issues of everyone's favorite bandana-wearing, sai-wielding ninja assassin.
 Photo courtesy (c) Marvel Comics. All Rights Reserved Pre-Garner Elektra. See more Elektra pictures. |
The First Four
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Daredevil (first series) #168 In her first appearance, Elektra attempts to collect a bounty on a witness who Matt Murdock (Daredevil's lawyer alias) needs to testify in court. We learn that Elektra was once the college girlfriend of Matt Murdock (Daredevil) and that her father, a Greek ambassador, was killed in a hostage situation gone wrong. |
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Daredevil (first series) #169 Elektra visits Daredevil's apartment and learns that he is in a relationship with another woman. The Kingpin appears in Daredevil continuity for the first time and makes a contract with a mysterious group called "The Hand" against Daredevil. |
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Daredevil (first series) #174 We find out that "The Hand" is a band of ninja assassins specializing in black magic who The Kingpin has hired to kill Daredevil. Elektra rescues Daredevil from The Hand, but due to an errant missile, Daredevil loses his enhanced senses. |
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Daredevil (first series) #175 Elektra and Daredevil open a can all over The Hand and meet the apparently immortal ninja, Kirigi. |
The Next Four
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Daredevil (first series) #176 Elektra and Daredevil go on the lookout for Stick, an old man who was an instructor to both of them. Kirigi's immortality is tested after Elektra skewers him through the stomach with a sai and later decapitates him. |
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Daredevil (first series) #179 After agreeing to become the Kingpin's chief assassin, Elektra gets steamed and snatches Daredevil's foot all up in a bear trap. Still not satisfied, she then tosses a sai through a newspaper reporter's chest. |
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Daredevil (first series) #181 Elektra refuses to kill Matt Murdock's partner, Foggy Nelson. Daredevil's nemesis, Bullseye, impales Elektra with her own sai in an attempt to reclaim his title as the Kingpin's chief assassin. Elektra wanders back to Matt Murdock's apartment and "dies." The Daredevil movie was very loosely adapted from parts of this issue. |
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Daredevil (first series) #190 Daredevil and friends prevent The Hand from resurrecting Elektra with their ancient ninja black magic. After Daredevil himself fails in bringing Elektra back from the brink, a mysterious cult member named Stone completes the ritual and takes Elektra into hiding. |
The Last Two
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Daredevil 319 After 138 issues and countless hints, Elektra finally makes her return. It is revealed that Daredevil's attempt to revive her actually cleansed the evil side of her soul away. The Hand is attempting to fuse the "evil" side of her soul to a ninja warrior named Erynys. To prevent this, Elektra returns from seclusion... |
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Daredevil 325 Following the successful transfer of Elektra's dark side to the ninja warrior Erynys, Daredevil and Elektra fight off a band of villains who are in possession of a stolen, deadly virus. During the mêlée, Elektra defeats Erynys and reabsorbs her dark side. |
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