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Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 by Chip Zdarsky and Rafael De LaTorre is an intriguing take on what motivates Elektra to fight crime.
As the Kingpin makes a power play against New York City’s heroes in Devil’s Reign, one of the city’s newest vigilantes embarks on a journey of self-discovery. In Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1, a ghost from Elektra Natchios’ past comes back to haunt her, causing her to reflect on her vigilante journey. Written by Chip Zdarsky and drawn by Rafael De LaTorre, the book is an intriguing character study that positions Elektra’s self-doubt as her worst enemy while questioning if she can let go of her past to become the woman she wants to be.
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 opens during Devil’s Reign, with Elektra attempting to kill the Kingpin. However, when Fisk reveals he has passed on vital information about her background to a mysterious party, Elektra retreats to pursue the truth. After a tender night with Matt Murdock, Elektra revisits some of the most significant locations from her past. Elektra catches a glimpse of Aka, a woman who helped train her when she was young. Elektra’s pursuit leads her outside of the city and a threat from the shadows reveals that her hunt for answers has taken on a more literal meaning.
As much as Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil has been about Matt Murdock’s downfall and redemption, the series has also been about the rise of Elektra. After spending the better part of the last year cast in Matt’s shadow, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear gives Zdarksy a chance to delve into Elektra’s motivations. The story’s streamlined focus provides intriguing insights into the vigilante, as readers see Elektra getting scorned for her emotions and slowly molded into a cold, heartless assassin. Zdarsky’s Elektra is torn between her love for Matt and being the weapon that others have made her. Now faced with the threat of having her past used against her, it will be interesting to see if Elektra can move forward and accept her true self.
Throughout Daredevil: Woman Without Fear, Rafael De LaTorre adapts his artistic approach to give each scene a unique quality that reflects its role in the larger narrative. Elektra and Kingpin’s opening confrontation is scratchy, rough and covered in textures, matching the tension between the two. In stark contrast, Elektra’s emotional embrace with Matt is significantly cleaner, as the longtime lovers open up their bodies and souls. However, the true crème de la crème of De LaTorre’s work is the issue’s various fight scenes. Told primarily through flashbacks, these sequences have kinetic energy that matches the emotional weight that Elektra projects onto them through her narration. In addition, this approach immediately frames Aka as an important figure from Elektra’s past, as De LaTorre’s work spotlights Aka’s foreboding presence and physical superiority over the future-Daredevil.
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 is an excellent example of the impact that a book’s coloring can have on the overall effectiveness of the narrative. Federico Blee’s work exceptionally complements De LaTorre’s artwork, using rich color washes to create immersive atmospheres. The blues and greys of the Kingpin’s office make it feel bleak, which contrasts well with the loving reds and oranges of Matt’s home. The use of these colors provokes a subconscious emotional response in readers’ minds. The book’s colors hammer home the intent of the sequences and enhance the readers’ connection with Elektra’s struggle.
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1 successfully builds on developments in Daredevil and Devil’s Reign to push Elektra’s continued character arc forward. Zdarsky, De LaTorre, Blee, and the entire creative team create a welcome jumping-on point for new fans that promises to provide answers to longtime readers. While the Kingpin’s war with Daredevil threatens New York City, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear shows that Elektra’s personal struggle is equally compelling.
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