Dark Reign: Elektra #4

Overview  
Issue picks up right where the last one left off. Elektra is wounded, having escaped from HAMMER which is like the EVIL version of SHIELD. She has a crazy sister, brother due out to assassinate her and some guy who looks like Hawkeye just showed up, except this Hawkeye didn't fool around with no Doombot. (psst, hey, its actually someone who knows Elektra really well) and a fight ensues, and its a great fight with little nods to Elektra's past. The short hairy guy on the cover also shows up, but never fear, his presence doesn't really detract from the issue and it makes reasonable sense.  

Writing & Plot 
Maintains its fast and tight pace, this issue is especially memorable, as its Elektra versus arguably her biggest and most well known nemesis. There is a nice exchange of words, personalities, fists and kicks, and signature mannerisms. The issue was really enjoyable because of that, and its hard not to miss the iconic rewriting of a scene that for a long time defined Elektra, which was her death. As a fan of the character and who she is now, it can be a bit hard when a lot of people consider her best and most iconic story the one she died in. I feel like the writer tried to take her past, melt it, and then reforge into a weapon that Elektra could wield and also make the declaration that her best stories are yet to come (and also involve her like you know, being alive in them) Also its issues like this one that really, really makes me wish Zeb Wells was writing an Elektra solo book/series. He really gets the character in a way that retains her past whilst also somewhat increasing her badassery (is that a word?) and Elektra has always been badass, and in a medium full of badass's it can be hard to like stand out, but the writing and plot her really makes a case for Elektra to be that type of character naturally and organically. She has a soft vulnerable side, but she is also this incredibly stoic, mentally toughened expert and skilled fighter and so its nice seeing those traits emphasized. 

Art & Visuals  
Somehow visually I felt this issue was a it weaker than prior issues. There is more action and movement in this issue, and so that is probably the reason why. In that sense, the fluid action and fight motions, are of a high quality, just some patchiness elsewhere, and colors seemed a bit too dull. Still, the art doesn't detract from the issue and I still like it, and Elektra still manages to pull off looking badass and tough, and sexy and powerful and not in any exploitive way and even though the guy she fights isn't actually the guy whose outfit is his traditional, the artwork still manages to visually suggest the character, with small details, a smirk, grimace, look, or scar. There are also some standout larger panels which are pretty well crafted and with a certain iconic quality.  

Moment Of Creepy and Shut Down 
I am pretty sure there are websites/self help groups out there for you "Hawkeye" but it was nice how Elektra took his creepy flirting and rejected it with an equally as empathic statement of action.  
 

 
Crowning Moment of Awesome 
Correction, this is actually the moment before the Crowning Moment of Awesome... you'll have to actually read the issue to see the actual moment sorry *red*  but its well worth it, and this is nice build up for it.  
 

 
Who Should Read This?  
People who have read the other issues... ?? That being said, you could actually just read this issue and get the gist of it. Especially if you know the two characters that dominate the issue's action scenes. Fans of Elektra I definitely recommend this to, and also those that like street level fights. I feel as if the entire mini has been leading up to this issue, and I actually remember expecting much of what happened this issue to occur in the final issue and so the intensity of action delivered at this point was refreshingly surprising. 
 
Overall I give this issue a PERFECT SCORE.