ELEKTRA #14
"Introspect, Part Four"
Recommended (7/10)
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Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights imprint
Writer: Greg Rucka
Pencils: Carlo Pagulayan
Inks: Danny Miki
Colors: Avalon Studios
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Stuart Moore & Joe Quesada
Price: $2.99 US/$4.75 CAN |
I enjoyed the earlier chapters in this story arc, those which were far more focused on the title character's psyche and emotions, as well as on those of a broken man who's driven by his sorrow and longing for his dead wife. Here, a greater emphasis on action comes into play, and while I don't find it as interesting as the character-driven moments, it's there to move the story forward.
After Jeremy Locke and his assistant dump Elektra's near-lifeless body in the desert, the other members of the coalition dedicated to her demise travel with a team of mercenaries to finish the job Locke should have done. They find her easily, but they do not find the task of killing the ninja assassin all that easy. Despite the weakened state of her mind and body, Elektra still has plenty of fight left in her. A hail of bullets erupt in the desert, while miles away, Locke sleeps, his sadness as strong as ever.
Pagulayan is a relative new -- and difficult to spell from memory -- name to me, but his work on this title is strong. He brings an intensity to the title character that's appropriate, given her nature, but he also manages to convey the humanity and emotion of the everyday characters that serve as this story arc's antagonists. Pagulayan's work reminds me of the styles of Barry (Titans) Kitson and Sean (Wolverine) Chen. Miki's gritty style was a wise choice as an inker here, given the subject matter.
I think what's most interesting about Elektra here is that Rucka doesn't focus solely on her seemingly supernatural ninja abilities. She employs much more conventional military techniques. Sure she's handy with a sai, but a machine gun is an effective killing tool as well. It doesn't exactly make Elektra a grounded character, but it's certainly more down to earth than the whole melting-into-the-shadows schtick.
The characters who really stand out in this issue are Valeriy Vasson and Nolan Kurtis, two members of the Coalition. As they suddenly find themselves under fire, their vengeful sides are pushed to the side, and we see more tender, everyday (and fearful) sides of the personalities. I also found the way that Rucka's continued emphasis of Locke's sense of isolation to be subtly engaging. Locke's reserved nature makes one want to per into his mind.
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