Elektra #1
W. Haden Blackman (w), Michael Del Mundo (a)
Marvel Comics

Liz says: I’m increasingly impressed with Marvel’s current output of good new books, and especially so when I see them putting heavyweight up-and-coming talent on female-led solo books. Black Widow, Ms. Marvel, Captain Marvel, and now Elektra are all hot properties, and many of these books have been put in the hands of exciting writers and artists on the rise in their careers. The team behind Elektra may not be big names yet, but from this first issue, I’d say that might not be the case for long.

W. Haden Blackman’s script is tight, making quick work of character introduction and setting up the plot. But the star of this show is Michael Del Mundo, whose exquisite artwork elevated this issue from good to spectacular. What truly stands out about Elektra is how absolutely gorgeous it looks. Particularly breathtaking are the opening pages beneath Elektra’s introductory monologue; Elektra trains, ribbon dancing as snapshots of her past seep hazily through the backdrop. As her memories darken so does the page, until the swirling red ribbon becomes streams of blood, the delicate washes of blues and reds become hard chaotic lines, capturing the deadly beauty intrinsic to the character. Del Mundo’s style channels artists like J.H Williams, Jerome Opena, and Bill Sienkiewicz, but still makes its own distinct impression. This is an artist to watch, and a book to pay attention to.