Joining theAvengersis a major moment for every Marvel hero who’s called to protect the planet, and yet there’s one Marvel icon who has never officially joined Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. In the past, the Avengers have recruited aliens, Eternals, mutants, Spider-Heroes and even the Fantastic Four - now,one of the deadliest individuals in Marvel lore has finally joined the team, with an official Avengers jacket to prove it.
In the recentAstonishing Avengers Infinity Comic #1- from Steve Orlando and Francesco Archidiacono -Elektra Natchiosfinally joins Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The former assassin, and current holder of the Daredevil mantle, has been recruited ontothe Avengers Emergency Response Squad- a group acting under Captain America to address unexpected threats wherever they pop up across the globe.
Debuting in 1981’sDaredevil #168, by Frank Miller, Elektra is the former lover of Matt Murdock, trained as a world-class assassin after the tragic death of her diplomat father. Elektra has been both hero and villain in Marvel lore, butrecently underwent a redemption arc after taking over as Daredevilwhile Matt Murdock was in prison.Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic #1sees the team confronted by a gigantic obelisk which is just the first step in a diabolical attack. Check out the issue’s trailer, below.
Matt Murdock’s Daredevil joined the Avengers inNew Avengers Volume 2 #16(Brian Michael Bendis & Mike Deodato), fighting alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes when they clashed with the X-Men in theAvXevent.
The Avengers Are Recruiting EVERY Marvel Villain, And Their Unbeatable Target Absolutely Justifies It
Against a foe they have no way to beat alone, the Avengers are recruiting Earth’s villains to make up the strongest version of the team to ever exist.
Elektra took over as Daredevil when Matt Murdock went to prison, coming to love the superhero life despite its restrictions.
Elektra’s Redemption Is Official as the Avengers Recruit the Former Deadliest Woman Alive
How Did Elektra Go from Assassin to Superhero?
While Elektra has worked with Marvel’s heroes before, and has been hired by SHIELD for deadly missions, such astaking down a brainwashed Wolverine, her antihero status made her a dangerous figure until recently. In 2020, Matt Murdock chose to go to prison after accidentally killing a criminal with a misjudged punch. Matt was tortured by the decision, as while he felt it was vital he answer for his crime, it also meant leaving Hell’s Kitchen undefended.
Elektra was a member of the Savage Avengers during the 2019 series of the same name. However, despite including some former Avengers like Wolverine and Doctor Strange, the team hasn’t been treated as an official Avengers offshoot by Marvel. Indeed, the Savage Avengers roster was made up exclusively of killer heroes.
Thankfully,Elektra volunteered to take over as Daredevil, wanting to persuade Matt to work with her on a new plan to defeat the ninja death cult known as the Hand. Matt laid down some hard rules if Elektra was going to use his heroic identity, the most important of which was ‘no killing.’ While Elektra originally chafed at having to retire her lethal skill set, she quickly bought into the superhero life.Even after Matt left prison, Elektra kept the Daredevil name, now fighting to protect rather than to kill.
That path of redemption has culminated in Elektra joining the Avengers Emergency Response Squad alongside icons such as Captain America, She-Hulk and Wonder Man. In a nice touch for Elektra’s first time joining Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Emergency Response Squadall wear matching jackets, designed by the genius inventor Night Thrasher with various advantages, including bulletproof material and built-in first aid supplies. There’s no better symbol of howElektra’s Daredevil has gone from villainous killer to trusted hero than theAvengersasking her to proudly wear their logo.
