Elektra (character) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elektra |
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Textless cover of Elektra #3 (Nov. 2001).
Art by Greg Horn. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance |
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| Created by | Frank Miller |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Elektra Natchios |
| Team affiliations |
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| Partnerships | Daredevil |
| Notable aliases | Erynys Daredevil Woman Without Fear |
| Abilities |
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Elektra Natchios is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually in supporting roles featuring the superhero Matt Murdock / Daredevil, to whom Elektra has functioned as a villainous adversary, love interest, and later, a heroic ally. Created by Frank Miller, the character first appeared in Daredevil #168 (Jan. 1981). In the various storylines in which the character has appeared since her debut, her violent nature and mercenary lifestyle has served as a divisive point of conflict between her and Daredevil, which in 2000, culminated in her becoming the second Daredevil.
The character is a highly trained assassin of Greek descent who wields a pair of sai as her trademark weapons. Elektra is one of Frank Miller's best-known creations, and has appeared in numerous modern storylines even though Marvel had originally promised not to revive the character without Miller's permission. She has also appeared as a supporting character of the X-Men's Wolverine and in other series and mini-series, as well as in adaptations for the screen.
Jennifer Garner portrayed Elektra in the films Daredevil (2003) and Elektra (2005), and will reprise the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Deadpool 3 (2024), while Élodie Yung portrayed the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Daredevil and The Defenders.
Publication history
Created by Frank Miller, Elektra first appeared in Daredevil #168 (January 1981). Miller initially based the character's appearance on Lisa Lyon, a female bodybuilder. Miller originally intended this issue, which was essentially a filler story, to be Elektra's only appearance, but she instead became a frequently appearing villain in Daredevil until her death in issue #181 (April 1982). She was resurrected shortly after, but the story contained a narrative note which indicates that Daredevil must never encounter her again.
After over a decade's absence, she reappeared in Daredevil #324–327 (Jan.–April 1994), and went on to a brief stint as a supporting character in Wolverine (in #100–106). Daredevil writer D. G. Chichester recounted that he and editor Ralph Macchio had discussed the character's return several times:
We'd bandied about the idea [of bringing back Elektra] in a casual fashion now and again, but neither of us wanted to do it as a gimmick. On the rare occasion I thought I had a legitimate angle to use her, Ralph was cool to the idea. But as we geared up for what would become "Fall From Grace", Ralph out of the blue said, "What about bringing back Elektra?" – and it was really the missing piece that clicked together all the loose pieces of the story in my head, and became the nexus for everything tying together as well as it did. In my mind, it's always been her to whom the title refers.
This upset Frank Miller, who claimed that Marvel had previously promised him that the character would not be used in any publication. She has since appeared in two eponymous ongoing series and several mini-series.
Powers and abilities
Elektra's primary abilities are a strong knowledge of martial arts and weaponry. Elektra learned ancient martial arts of China, Siam, and Japan. She is a master combatant with the Okinawan sai, her usual weapon of choice. She is also highly skilled with the katana, daggers, three-section staff, and shuriken. She is a master of many Japanese combat forms including Ninjutsu, Aikido and Karate. Elektra is an Olympic-level athlete, strong in gymnastics and swimming, with a high level in athleticism, human strength, speed, stamina, agility, dexterity, reflexes and reactions, coordination, balance, and endurance. She is resistant to pain and extreme heat and cold. She is also able to keep to the shadows and move with such speed that she can remain unseen even in daylight.
Elektra has the ability to mesmerize others, and as such make them see illusions or other phenomena.
Elektra also has the ability to "throw" her mind into those of others. For instance, she was able to track down her enemy, Ken Wind, by temporarily "borrowing" people's minds and acting through them while she hunted around for her prey. This temporary mind control enables her to metaphorically sniff out the psyche, or intent, of her targets. It saw extensive use during Elektra: Assassin, in which she was heavily reliant on only her ninja powers.
Elektra can communicate telepathically with individuals possessing similar levels of mental discipline, such as the Chaste.She mastered this ability during training with The Hand, which mentally links her to The Beast, the demigod of The Hand. She is able to shield her mind from others.
She can see glimpses of future events across precognitive visions.
Video games
- Elektra makes a cameo appearance in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter as one of Apocalypse's prisoners.
- Elektra appears as a boss in the Daredevil (2003) tie-in game as a brainwashed servant of the Kingpin until Daredevil eventually frees her.
- Elektra appears in a self-titled film tie-in mobile game.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects, voiced by Jani Jakovac.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Gabrielle Carteris.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.
- Elektra appears in LittleBigPlanet via the "Marvel Costume Kit 2" DLC.
- Elektra appears as a boss, later unlockable character in Marvel Avengers Alliance.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by Laura Bailey. This version works for the Kingpin.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel Heroes, voiced by Kathryn Cressida.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel Contest of Champions.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight.
- A Marvel Noir-inspired incarnation of Elektra named Eliza appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, voiced by Kathryn Cressida.
- Elektra appears as a playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.
- Elektra appears in Marvel Snap.
Images for kids
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Cover to Daredevil Vol. 1 #168, Elektra's first appearance (misspelt as "Elecktra"). Art by Frank Miller.
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Élodie Yung as Elektra as she appears in Daredevil (2015–2018)
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Jennifer Garner as Elektra as she appears in Daredevil (2003)
See also
- Women warriors in literature and culture
- Electra
