Dark Reign: Elektra #3

Overview 

There are light spoilers within this review, which discuss earlier issues, please bear this in mind. This is the third issue of a five part mini series, brought to us by creative team Zeb Wells, and Clay Mann. Our hero is Elektra. Her situation is very dire. She is injured and bleeding. She is cold, broken, and probably hungry. To catch up to speed here is a review of issue #1 Elektra Dark Reign #1 Review and Elektra Dark Reign #2 review. The beginning of this issue, we are presented with a pause. It may not be the first pause we have had or chance to catch our breath as a reader, but its actually the first opportunity for Elektra, since her journey started two issues ago. The Night Nurse character appears here and we learn more about the plot of this arc. We also get more references to the Secret Invasion and Dark Reign events, but if you are not familiar with either, don't worry, its easy to get and follow. Elektra has never been the brightest, and most easily understood of the Marvel heroes, and Night Nurse demonstrates a healthy fear and cautiousness around our favorite assassin even despite still being quite injured. The action returns thick and fast though, as two mystery characters who have been hunting down Elektra finally confront her. From here the plot is expanded and we get some exposition, but we get a lot of superb action scenes and badass moments (across a number of pages) before catching up with an even older friend who has an eye for... bulls... okay I can't think of something witty to say, Bullseye. He'll show up before the issue ends. We also somewhere in-between all that get a page or two of Norman Osborn torturing two Skrulls about why they were so fascinated with Elektra. Its a small moment, but gives us insight on how tough Elektra has had the last few months leading up to this mini. (I should note as well, I was so close to giving this issue a maximum 5 star rating...)

Writing & Plot

Elektra is a character that lets her actions speak louder than her words, and so its a question as to whether a writer can efficiently work with her dialogue. Elektra speaks in this issue more than the entirety of the last two issues, but she is still as concise and blunt, but not in any rough way, its like she choses her words as purposefully as she moves during a fight, and here, in this issue, thats an exciting thing to see, as our protagonist must fight two foes, both with guns, one automatics up close, and one with a sniper from a distance. Elektra's characterization here is my favorite in recent years. I really think Zeb Wells has her voice down the best out of any modern writer who has written her. Some nice nods to continuity with the plot as well, and this issue leaves with a cliff hanger as Bullseye enters the story. We know the next issue is going to be filled with a lot of blood and excitement given the two characters history. So the middle issue of this arc does two things I think that are worth mentioning. It maintains momentum set from past issues, whilst amping the excitement levels with some great action thats not pointless, it has some weight behind it. Next, it sets up the next issue, and in a big way. i can't find fault with the writing here, and if I could, I would ignore it, this issue is way too fun anyway. 

Art & Visuals

The art perfectly compliments the writing. In this issue, things get a bit more interesting plot wise, and so the art requires a sort of leap in quality as well and it delivers. This is an issue full of action and fight sequences, and each turn is met with stunning art that has a cohesive flow which just really draws you into the action. Its one thing to have pretty art, but pretty art in a sequence that demonstrates movement, the weight behind blows, the flexibility and agility of the characters? Its worth noting that after spending most of the story out of her trademark red gear, Elektra finally slips back into her classic outfit and when she does, you know things are about to go down. Where exactly? Someplace awesome! I am not against cheesecake art (art designed to get certain demographics to raise an eyebrow) and the potential for the art to veer that direction for Elektra is there, but Clay Mann, for me, I find gets her look down very well, she, Elektra comes across as powerful, sleek, badass and tough, athletic and fast. Its a great combination. 

Moment of Awesome #1
Whilst looking for some stand out moments for this issue, I could only really be drawn to moments which just demonstrate how badass Elektra is. Thats not a bad thing, but as far as tropes go? Well what she does here is just awesome, no other words really, just awesome. Night Nurse is aiding Elektra, but Elektra is much faster to become aware of danger and when her attempt to get Night Nurse to take cover is ignored, Elektra demonstrates a cool bar room trick. (i should point out this saved Night Nurse... Elektra is not some crazy... well evil crazy person...)